Ford is said to be working on a new high-performance Mustang that could be a spiritual successor to the Shelby GT350. It will have a naturally aspirated V8 engine, manual gearbox, and track-focused upgrades, according to recent automotive reports.
The new Mustang will sit between the Dark Horse and the more powerful Dark Horse SC in Ford’s S650-generation lineup. If the reports are accurate, this new variant could bring back the days of a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 Mustang for performance enthusiasts.
Naturally Aspirated V8 Could Power New Mustang
A report from Ford Authority says that the new Mustang could have either a 5.2-litre or 5.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, which would set it apart from Dark Horse SC’s supercharged 5.2-litre V8.
The engine’s official power has not been announced, but reports say the new model could produce around 600 horsepower — between the standard Dark Horse’s 500 hp and Dark Horse SC’s 795 hp.
There is also talk that Ford may bring back elements of the 5.2-litre Voodoo V8 used in the previous generation Shelby GT350, which made 526 horsepower and was known for its high-revving nature but Ford hasn’t confirmed whether the new model will use the Voodoo engine or not.
Six-Speed Manual Gearbox Expected
The rumored GT350 successor will reportedly have a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, which could be an attractive option for drivers. Will Ford also offer an automatic?
The car will be fitted with a track-focused package (wider body like the Dark Horse SC) and larger brakes, bigger cooling capacity, and a suspension upgrade.
While the Dark Horse SC is available as a coupe and convertible, the new performance Mustang is said to be being developed exclusively as a coupe.
Could It Be Called Dark Horse Boss?
The final name of the new Mustang is not yet known. Ford filed a trademark for the name ‘Dark Horse Boss’ in 2025 and that has led to rumors that the new performance variant will use Dark Horse branding instead of Shelby GT350.
The model is expected to bridge the performance and pricing gap between Dark Horse and Dark Horse SC. Its placement could give buyers another option in Ford’s expanding Mustang line-up.
Expected Launch Timeline and What We Know
Reports about the launch timeline say that the new Mustang will be late 2027 (possibly as a 2028 model-year vehicle). The earlier report said it would be in the 2027 model year, so we don’t know for sure yet.
Ford has not announced the vehicle, its engine specs, pricing, or name. It hasn’t confirmed the reported development details either.
If launched as expected, the new Mustang could bring back some of the spirit of the Shelby GT350 with a naturally aspirated V8, manual transmission and track performance. More details will come as reports roll in.
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