Ford Job Posting Mentions 'Mustang S650' Launching in 2022

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Ford Motor Co. may have accidentally given away the launch date of the next-generation Mustang. Last month, the company issued a job posting in Flat Rock, Michigan for a “Wind/Road Noise and Air Leakage Plant Vehicle Team Engineer” who would see off the current model before becoming “the final sign off on the Ford 2023 Mustang S650 vehicle program.”

The current ‘Stang uses the internal code S550 for factory identification, so the S650 designation make a lot of sense for its successor. No one had to break out the Enigma machines and put in weeks of hard work to crack that code. The listing makes it clear as day that the position will involve shoring up the next Mustang until it’s airtight and ready for customers in a couple of years.

Shared by a contributor to the Mustang 6G forum, Ford’s list of responsibilities included the following: “On-site launch lead for Wind/Road Noise and Air Leakage attributes when S650 launches in 2022 as a 2023MY.”

If that sounds like the kind of job you’d be interested in and wish to check out the necessary qualifications, allow us to disappoint you. Ford has updated the post to indicate it is no longer taking submissions, which presumes the position has been filled. But, hey, at least you now know when to expect the seventh-generation ‘Stang.

There’s been no shortage of rumors as to what types of changes will accompany it, but it’s too early to do more than speculate. All Ford has said is that it wants to up the number of variants (helped by the Mach-E) and is considering adding a new hybrid model. We’ve not heard any updates for some time, making us wonder if the brand has restructured is powertrain priorities.

Sources from the factory have already confirmed the S650 code is being used for the seventh-gen Mustang (not that there was much doubt), telling us to expect well-camouflaged mules to start testing later this year. We’ve also been told the car will be a smidgen longer than the current model, though that was when everyone was operating under the assumption that the S650 would use the CD6 platform underpinning the Explorer. Ford hasn’t verified that this is the plan, however.

[Image: Wjarek/Shutterstock]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Dividebytube Dividebytube on Feb 05, 2020

    I'm guessing three different version: EV (or maybe a hybrid) with AWD. A Corvette/Tesla/Porsche contender? 5.0 V8 for the old fellers 2.3 Ecoboost for the budget buyers Some of the younger members of the FB Mustang group want a turbo 6, like the 2.7 or 3.5L Ecoboost instead of the V8. More of Nissan GT-R type of car.

  • MRF 95 T-Bird MRF 95 T-Bird on Feb 05, 2020

    I might be ready to trade in my 2018 Challenger GT awd by 2022-23. A hybrid awd Mustang sounds fine.

  • GregLocock That's a bodge, not a solution. Your diff now has bits of broken off metal floating around in it.
  • The Oracle Well, we’re 3-4 years in with the Telluride and right around the time the long term durability issues start to really take hold. This is sad.
  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
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