If you’re expecting dramatic changes when the next generation of the Ford Mustang arrives, you might want to lower your expectations.

Before we dive into the next iteration of the Pony Car that we love, you need to remember we have a pair of models that wear this name but are extremely different. The Mustang continues to be the gasoline-powered muscle car that we love, while the Mustang Mach-E is the electric SUV that wears the name and gives us performance with an electric platform.

Now that we have that cleared up, we’re talking about the classic muscle car with the gasoline engine today.

There Will be Some Changes

The 2023 version of the Mustang will bring in updates that will continue to make it the muscle car we love to drive. The overall look and shape will not change much, the stance will be pretty much the same, but other areas will have changes that you can enjoy. This car should arrive with several colors and trim choices, huge wheels, and racing stripes. These items make this car fun, active, and extremely attractive when you see it sitting in your driveway or take this car out for a spin.

Traditional Power Will Continue to Thrive

Which engine do you like in your Ford Mustang? If you’ve fallen in love with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the iconic 5.0-liter V8, or the incredible supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine for the Shelby GT500, these amazing engines will still be offered. Whether you take the 5.0 and let the Mustang GT be a Mustang you love, or you want the snake on the front of the car that can give you more than 700 horsepower for your fun on the road or track, this car has everything you’re looking for.

Look for Improvements in the Cabin

The front seat of the new Mustang should continue to hold a pair of adults comfortably, and the rear seats are better for children or adults that are annoying you. You should see some impressive upgrades in this area. You’ll likely see improved cabin materials to give this car a more premium look and feeling while you enjoy the connectivity offered by having Apple Car Play and Android Auto included in the infotainment system. Get ready to experience a more enjoyable cabin feeling when you take your new Mustang out for a ride.

Something Different You Might See

Whether it arrives in 2023 or we don’t see it until a little later in this new generation of the Ford Mustang, a new hybrid version is expected to join the lineup. We know that Ford has plans to offer the turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a hybrid motor to give you more power and efficiency. There might also be a V8 hybrid version of this car, one that has AWD as an option, and a fully-electric model that isn’t an SUV. The EV model is likely going to be a few years down the road, but the AWD model and hybrid models could be part of the 2023 lineup late in the year.

Still Built at Flat Rock

The seventh generation of the Ford Mustang will be built at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, where the Mustang has been built for quite a while. This next generation, which is the S650 model, will have an eight-year life cycle, the same as the current generation of this impressive car. The plans are in place for the electrified version of this Mustang to be offered in 2025 as part of the 2026 model year lineup.

Should the Mustang Include AWD?

The Ford Mustang won’t be the first of the muscle cars to bring AWD to the market, it’s already part of what you can have in the Dodge Challenger. Since it first arrived in the market, the Mustang has been an RWD car that tore up the track and rocketed to the end of a quarter-mile. Adding AWD to the mix does bring with it some advantages, and Ford is thinking about this feature to figure out if it will be a feather that will make driving much better when the weather turns bad.

Adding AWD to the mix will allow this pony car to push more power to the ground with power heading to all four wheels. This could make a huge difference in some of the higher-powered models, such as the GT or Shelby GT500. If added to these models, that would give us something much better than what we find in the Challenger. Currently, if you want AWD in the Challenger, you have to get it with the V6 engine, which is the base powertrain. Adding AWD to the Shelby model of the Mustang will be a serious game-changer for the muscle car world.

More Fun at the Track

Not only can you add the benefits of AWD to the mix and have a car that can drive well when the conditions turn slippery, wet, or muddy, but you’ll have a lot more fun at the track as well. When you have AWD, and you’re looking for a car that can turn some fast laps, this feature makes that possible for you. You’ll have quicker acceleration from the start and more traction when exiting the corners while delivering torque to all four wheels for you to improve your lap times.

Will You Be Ready for the New Mustang?

The fact that a whole new generation of the Ford Mustang will arrive for 2023 without styling changes that you can see right away, the same powertrains, and the same stance just might disappoint you. When you break down what Ford is doing to this car, you’ll be impressed with everything this brand is bringing to this iconic muscle car. Get ready for a car that has improvements that you’ll admire, the same build you love, and could have more fun for you to enjoy when you head to the track.

The new generation of the Mustang is on the way, and the S650 is a car that will carry the name for Ford in a way that we can admire for all eight years it’s in the market.