I think The Autopian’s gone on a bit of a Mustang kick over the past 24 hours between Matt’s Morning Dump and Mercedes talking about how a sedan Mustang wouldn’t be too weird. Now, to top it all off, we have a juicy bit of Mustang news! I’m down in Detroit for essentially Day Zero of the 2025 North American Intentional Auto Show, and Ford kicked things off with a special event.
Detroit Is Having A Moment
As you can imagine, there were a lot of allusions to the 2025 NFC North Champions, the Detroit Lions. There was even a special appearance by quarterback Jared Goff, who is taller in person (standing next to normal people and not NFL players does that to perspective). The city itself continues to climb in the national spotlight, from hosting the 2024 NFL Draft, which set attendance records with over 700,000 people coming out for the three-day event, to national stories seemingly coming out every other day about how it’s a great place to visit and/or live.
Ford was really happy to talk about its sales numbers for the past year, its momentum going forward, and all its different off-road variations for vehicles, except for one.
As of now, an off-road Mustang hasn’t been announced. But there is a new version that should hopefully be on sale soon: The Mustang RTR. With the demise of the 2.3L High Performance Package Ecoboost Mustang starting with the 2025 model year, there’s been a hole in the lineup of the S650 Generation.
Filling The Void
You can get a Dark Horse to fill some of your Shelby GT350 desires, and the roar of the V8 and GT’s performance packages are as good as ever. But, if you’re looking for something to take out for autocross at a reasonable price point, well, that’s how Ford is marketing its new Mustang RTR.
It was introduced by roaring out and zooming past the gathered audience of press, Ford workers, and miscellaneous VIPs, doing laps around the stand. Once it came to a stop in the middle of the floor, out came drift champion Vaughn Gittin, Jr. As you might have guessed based on the name, the new pony was born out of a collaboration between RTR Vehicles and Ford. The Blue Oval says it has worked with Gittin, Jr. for 18 years, and RTR Vehicles previously helped with developing the 2024 Mustang’s optional electronic drift brake.
Parts From What Kind Of Horse?
Gittin, Jr. said during the presentation they “wanted to bring enthusiasts the most advanced, accessible and fun Mustang EcoBoost possible,” and he’s quite proud of the results. He says RTR worked side-by-side with Ford’s engineers on every element of the new Mustang and that it’s the Ecoboost of his dreams with “some help and some key parts from the Mustang Dark Horse.”
Both Gittin, Jr. and Ford’s chief Mustang engineer, Laurie Transou, stressed that no specifications would be shared; he did say it would have an “anti-lag supported turbo” and would contain “signature RTR design elements” like the lip nostrils, massive Hyper Lime (Brembo) brake calipers, a new upper grill, new 19 inch wheels with an aggressive offset “to help with stance and performance.” Ford’s release also specifically mentions the “pedestal spoiler,” which looks relatively tame, especially since it was parked next to the GTD.
Following the press conference, I made a beeline for Gittin, Jr. and the RTR. Goff happened to be standing right behind us for an extended period of time. He was very friendly with those who approached. As a Michigan native and Lions fan, going from the 0-16 team in 2008 to this season’s 15-2 Superbowl contender is still unbelievable. Also, seeing the man whose name is being chanted across the state on a regular basis as a chill and normal dude was nice. Hopefully, they don’t have to play the Minnesota Vikings for a third time in the divisional round of the playoffs. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Vaughn Values More Than Just V8s
As a one-time card-carrying member of the Mustang Club of America (it’s the easiest way to get access to X-Plan, but I think I’ve misplaced it) Gittin, Jr. seems to share my excitement for Mustangs of all forms. I asked if there were any crazy ideas that he was surprised made it to the final product. He said he challenged “the brains” of Ford’s in-house engineers, and there were “quite a few things that were initially ‘no’,” but working with [chief program engineer Laurie] Transou helped “kick the box open a little more.” He also said that just because this RTR was factory-built, RTR Vehicles will still do pre-title spec builds with the 5.0 V8.
This might be a good time to also take the stand against Mustang “purists.” Yes, the V8 is the standard by which all others are measured, but since 1964, the Mustang has always been sold with multiple power trains. The shape, too, can and should change over the years to best suit the needs of the time, from the downtrodden Mustang II to the Fox-body SVO going hatch only with a turbo I4 to the stable expanding with the Mach-E bringing excitement to crossovers. A vehicle meant to inspire shouldn’t be limited to a narrow box of specifications. [Ed Note: I’m glad there are multiple engine options, but I still want the V8. As I’ve said before, especially in an era where EVs wipe the floor with gas cars in terms of raw acceleration, sound becomes that much more valuable. So does a stickshift. But maybe this thing will offer great handling for cheap; I could vibe with that. -DT]
Gittin, Jr. agrees, believing that a lot of people do themselves a disservice by discounting the fun one could have with an Ecoboost. “It is so balanced in every way. Power, braking, and the overall weight balance is almost 50-50.”
The Wait Begins
So far, there is no hint of a release window or when Ford plans to share more concrete details of its new high-performance Mustang. If it is using the 2024 2.3L High Performance Package as a foundation, it might be ready to launch for the 2026 model year.
Likewise, no price details have been announced. The 2024 HPP was a $3,475 optional add-on, and the 2025 EcoBoost Mustang has now grown to a starting price of $33,515 with destination fees. This means the factory-built RTR would be, at the least, $37,000, you’d think. Does it start to encroach on GT money, coming in the mid-to-high $40,000? Possibly. But then that might preemptively cool demand, as we all know how strong the allure of a V8 can be. My hope is that it’s reasonably priced and there are enough others like me who believe a handling-focused ‘stang is a worthy pursuit that this sticks around.
Of course, we don’t know the exact hardware details, just that it’ll have Dark Horse hardware and unique styling. So we’ll see….
All photos by John Gusitn unless noted otherwise.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the 2.3 Mustang is a better modern day S-Chassis than anything current day Nissan would be able to make. If only they’d let you get a manual 2.3 again.
I was really looking forward to this generation of the Mustang until it was announced there would be no manual 2.3. I guess I’m sticking with my 2012 V6 6MT.
Or you can get a Toyobaru
RTR? As if Alabama fans needed even MORE reasons to be cocky about everything in life?
Well, maybe not this year, but in general.
If Ford can cut a foot off the nose, trim the back end with a nice little hatch, keep it a 6MT – that 2.3T would be great as a hot hatch.
Or, maybe, Ford could just bring back the Focus instead.
A guy the next street over from me has a 2023 (I think) Mustang RTR with the V8. Every time I pass it in our neighborhood I am surprised by how menacing it looks and sounds. The owner is generally pretty tame with it, but I’ve seen him get on it on the six-lane road that my neighborhood is off of and it is a beast. If they do half as good of a job on the EcoBoost Mustang as they do on the GT, it should be a lot of fun.
I am one of the 7 people that thought the HPP Ecoboost was seriously cool. Hell, I almost bought one. As a hot hatch enjoyer I actually think the idea of a lightweight, handling oriented pony car with raucous 4 cylinder is cool. I also think it’s cool to have a more attainable “special” Mustang.
So anyway, I’m very excited to see actual stats for this thing. What a lot of people don’t know about the last one is it didn’t actually have the same engine as the normal Ecoboost. It was actually the 4 cylinder from the Focus RS that was mounted longitudinally by a skunkworks team. I wonder if that’ll carry over.
The HPPs threw down some pretty serious times as well. They were actually sometimes faster than GTs on more technical circuits…and Ecoboost Mustangs have dominated autocross for a long time. Anyway, I’m excited for the latest hot hatch-fied Mustang.
The HPP was the mustang of the last generation that I’d get too. I wonder if this will come with the Dark Horse’s manual as an option. This still might end up being the sweet spot for the Mustang regardless
I doubt it, that transmission is overkill for this application and if the RTR is more expensive than a modestly equipped GT it won’t sell. If they did put a manual in it I’d imagine it would be the same Getrag unit that they had in the last gen Ecoboost…but I also strongly doubt they’d go through all engineering trouble of putting a manual in this so a handful of enthusiasts could talk about how cool it is online then not buy it.
Plus the Ecoboost is meant to have the widest appeal since it’s the volume seller. I think the best we’re going to get would be better programming in the 10 speed, which is apparently soul crushingly bad in the S650 Ecoboost. If you really want to fight for a better manual Mustang work on convincing Ford to make the Tremec in the Darkhorse standard kit for all the V8s. The fact that it’s only in the Darkhorse is such a ripoff…
While the Dark Horse is a great looking and sounding car, about the only things I’d care for are the Tremec and the Blue Ember Metallic paint. As special Mustangs go, it’s not really that special compared to the models that preceded it, and yet fully loaded models are over $90K. Considering I’ve sold GT500s for only a few grand more…meh.
I have doubts that Ford sells too many manual GTs/Dark Horses to be able to put a Tremec in each and every one of them.
I’m not a hardcore ‘no manual, no care’ person, but I’ll agree with you that the 10 speed auto in the Stang is quite annoying. Gear hunting and rev hang galore!
I’ll wager that this RTR model with be well over $40K, and Ford will sell tens of them. Maybe hundreds.
The 10 speed is particularly ridiculous because there’s just no excuse for it to be such a mess. I’ve driven a V6 and a V8 Camaro with GM’s version of that transmission and it’s pretty much perfect. It always knows what gear to be in and when you take control yourself it’ll let you party…although 10 gears are so many to run through that it gets a little silly after a while.
Like Jesus Christ ya’ll. Go buy an M car with the ZF8, put it through its paces, tell your transmission to do the exact same shit, and be done with it.
Yeah, if it doesn’t get the Tremec, it’s pointless. I love the idea of Dark Horse bits one the smaller engine though. 310 hp is plenty to have fun but better suspension and transmission tuning would be worth paying for.
Ive driven an S550 Ecoboost. I had a great time with it. It’s enough power to have fun with but not so much that you wind up starring in someone’s “Mustang fails” compilation. I love the idea of a handling oriented base model in general. I keep an eye on Macan T listings but unfortunately the market seems to understand that it’s really good despite the 4 cylinder…
You better be rooting for the Packers or Commanders then!
No manual, no interest.
There’s no need to announce it. Manual diehards are like the Filthy Frank bit when he pretended to be a vegan. He’d scream at everyone that he was a vegan then hand them an award to give him.
Nobody wants an award, just a reason to buy this car, which really currently does not exist because any number of the firesale RWD EVs are better than an automatic Mustang.
I know, I just get annoyed by the NO MANUAL NO CARE whining on every article. It adds nothing to the conversation.
Eh, just buy a Miata instead if you want to go with a 4-cylinder RWD car.
While I agree and that’s what I did, I think the list of people looking at a Mustang that would be happy in a Miata could be counted on one hand. Pony car people are not looking for a tiny two seat convertible in my experience.
I’ve had two Miatas and a Mustang and the Mustang is the one I kept because it is an infinitely better daily driver. With a roof it is also a better track day car than a Miata. That said, since Ford killed the stick in the 2.3 I still look at new Miatas, but not new Mustangs.
The Mustang makes more sense as a one car solution. Especially if you live where winter is a thing. Unless you wanna pony up for the RF.
I say this as a Miata fan who would probably never buy a Mustang.
Even disregarding winter, the Mustang is infinitely more practical with a backseat that while is best used only in emergency situations, it exists, and it has a sizeable trunk. I can’t even pick people up from the airport in my Miata, so I see why the Mustang is appealing to many folks.
As someone that just bought a RF and live in Northwest Indiana yeah if I didn’t have a winter vehicle I wouldn’t have bought it. I have driven in lake effect snow before with my Cummins (92 D250 so no 4×4) and yeah snow covered rural roads to my house couldn’t go faster then 10-15mpg with out the back end kicking out hate to see what a low sitting Miata or mustang would do in the snow wouldn’t even be able to get out of my driveway haha.
If I lived somewhere it doesn’t snow I couldn’t see a Miata being an only car a mustang I could as others have said trunk space and rear seats. Hate to have need a big shopping trip and only have a Miata haha.
You measuring your 90s Dodge truck’s speed in MPG is just perfect.
Hah damn typos I need to learn to proof read better. Funny thing is my Cummins gets 20-22mpg most times I drive it making it the most fuel efficient vehicle I had until I got the Miata. Though my fiance has a Tourx and that got about 28-30mpg on our trip to Florida last month but I do not consider that one of my cars haha.
I’m beyond pleased with my best MPG car, which is my ’86 diesel S class Mercedes.
I averaged 29.7 MPG on a 1200km route last summer.
I’m tall enough that I’ll never be able to say “Miata is the answer”.
Eh, GR86 and BRZ have entered the chat.
And had engine failure.
The 2.3 liter Ecoboost isn’t exactly known for its longevity either. There are plenty of horror stories out there.
I did (It was a 124-Abarth but close enough) but after a couple of years listening to my wife complain about having to put her purse in the trunk, I traded it in on a convertible EcoBoost. While I do miss the go-kartiness, the Mustang is absolutely more livable.