Some of the best Mustangs ever built have followed a relatively simple recipe: a powerful naturally aspirated V8, a proper manual transmission, and a chassis engineered to make the most of both. Ford might be getting ready to revisit that formula with a new high-performance Mustang that could effectively revive the spirit of the legendary Shelby GT350. According to a new report from Ford Authority, the automaker is developing another performance variant of the current S650-generation Mustang that would slot between the existing Dark Horse and the supercharged Dark Horse SC. Better yet, this reportedly isn’t another exercise in adding forced induction or chasing enormous horsepower figures. Instead, Ford appears interested in delivering something that focuses on traditional driver engagement, which is precisely the kind of news Mustang enthusiasts have been hoping to hear.
The rumored model would reportedly borrow much of its aggressive appearance and underlying performance hardware from the Mustang Dark Horse SC, including a wider body and substantial track-focused upgrades. However, the biggest difference would be hiding under the hood. Rather than using the Dark Horse SC’s supercharged 5.2-liter V8, Ford is said to be developing a naturally aspirated V8 with either 5.2 or 5.4 liters of displacement. Although no official horsepower figures have surfaced, estimates suggest the engine could produce somewhere around 650 horsepower. That would place it comfortably above the standard Dark Horse’s 500 horsepower while leaving plenty of breathing room beneath the 795-horsepower Dark Horse SC. For reference, the previous-generation Shelby GT350 produced 526 horsepower from its spectacular 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank Voodoo V8, an engine that remains one of our favorite modern Ford powerplants.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the report is that this new Mustang would reportedly come equipped with a Tremec manual transmission, sending all that naturally aspirated V8 power to the rear wheels. At a time when so many performance cars are abandoning traditional manual gearboxes in favor of lightning-fast automatics and dual-clutch transmissions, we’re genuinely happy to hear Ford might be doubling down on the three-pedal experience. The previous Shelby GT350 was such a special machine partly because of how its engine, gearbox, and chassis worked together to create an engaging driving experience. There’s something about winding out a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 and grabbing the next gear yourself that even the quickest automatic transmission simply cannot replicate. Ford hasn’t confirmed whether an automatic would also be offered, but we’re hoping the manual remains central to this car’s identity.
Beyond the engine and transmission, Ford is reportedly preparing a serious collection of chassis improvements to distinguish the newcomer from the standard Dark Horse. Larger brakes, increased cooling capacity, and a more sophisticated suspension setup are all expected, with some components potentially shared with the Dark Horse SC. The car would also reportedly be offered exclusively as a coupe, following the same approach as the previous GT350, which prioritized chassis rigidity and track performance over open-air cruising. As Motor1 also highlighted in its coverage, the exact name remains a mystery. Ford could revive the Shelby GT350 designation, but the automaker has also trademarked the Dark Horse Boss name, raising the possibility that another famous Mustang performance badge could make a comeback. Either way, we’re intrigued by the thought of a more focused Mustang that prioritizes balance and driver involvement rather than simply trying to overpower everything else on the road.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, although an estimated starting point around $80,000 would seem reasonable given where the model would fit in the lineup. The current Dark Horse starts in the upper-$60,000 range, while the Dark Horse SC pushes into six-figure territory, leaving a substantial gap for something more powerful and track-capable without reaching the SC’s premium price level. As for availability, the initial report suggested a 2027 model-year launch, but a newer Ford Authority report indicates dealers have been told to expect the car in late 2027 as a 2028 model. That same report suggests a relatively short production run extending through the 2029 model year. None of those details has been officially confirmed by Ford, so it’s important to remember that we’re still dealing with insider information rather than a formal product announcement.
From our perspective, this rumored GT350 successor could end up being one of the most appealing Mustangs in the entire lineup. Sure, the Dark Horse SC offers incredible horsepower, and the Mustang GTD represents an extraordinary engineering achievement, but neither necessarily delivers the same straightforward driving experience that made the original Shelby GT350 so memorable. A high-revving naturally aspirated V8 producing somewhere around 650 horsepower, paired with a manual gearbox and proper track-focused suspension, sounds like a fantastic combination. We don’t particularly care whether Ford calls it a Shelby GT350, Dark Horse Boss, or something entirely different, provided the company delivers the performance and character enthusiasts expect. With traditional V8-powered, manual-transmission sports cars becoming increasingly rare, we’d love to see Ford make this one a reality. If the reports prove accurate, the Mustang lineup might be getting another version worth celebrating, and this could be the one we’d most want to drive.
Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
