Summary
- Our artist-rendered mid-engine Mustang shares similarities with the iconic Ford GT, showcasing a potential future for mid-engine Ford sports cars.
- While a mid-engine Mustang may not be likely at the moment, could Ford trademarking the Thunderbird name suggest a potential mid-engine supercar rival to the Corvette C8?
- Imagine a mid-engine Mustang, that could feature design cues and aerodynamic features inspired by the Ford GT, its performance numbers better than that of the Dark Horse Mustang with the possibility of increased air intake and enhanced aerodynamics.
Ford is no stranger to supercars, with their iconic mid-engine GT, a track-inspired coupe modeled after the GT40 race cars that dominated Le Mans in the 60s, holding high regard among the enthusiasts' community.
Many couldn’t help but realize the similarities between the mid-engine Mustang renderings we recently did and the actual Ford GT, and it’s no secret why. Our artists have blended certain elements from the newest Ford Mustangs, the seventh-generation Mustang S650, and Dark Horse, with the familiar features of the legendary Ford GT.
Though there are noticeable similarities between the artist-rendered mid-engine Mustang and the iconic Ford GT, this project gave us an opportunity to imagine what the future for mid-engine Ford might hold, and ultimately compare it, to the previous mid-engine option.
A New Ford Mid-Size Option?
The idea of a mid-engine Mustang at this juncture in Ford’s production isn’t extremely likely, as the seventh-gen Mustangs have only recently hit the scene. Yet, a mid-engine supercar from Ford on par with the latest Corvette C8 may not be far off, partly due to Ford’s trademarking of the Thunderbird name.
The Thunderbird was originally produced to compete with the Corvette in the mid-50s. Given the historic rivalry between Ford and Chevy, also seeing as how Chevrolet only recently transformed their star sports car from a front-engine to a mid-engine layout after the discontinuation of Ford’s mid-engine GT, it’s easy to see why gearheads and car enthusiasts assume Ford would answer Chevrolet’s innovative change with a game changer of their own.
Though a mid-engine Mustang may be nothing more than a concept now, we still have detailed renderings and expert speculation to visualize what specifications it may include. This includes unique design cues and functional aero features that add to the performance of the vehicle. Like the Ford GT, the renders of the mid-engine Mustang display qualities that are race-inspired. Both sport the honeycomb grille, though the mid-engine Mustang boasts familiar Mustang features such as the U-shaped grille and a more aggressive front diffuser and splitter.
The Ford GT’s grille is set lower on the bumper than the mid-engine Mustang and bears a trapezoidal-shaped opening as opposed to the Mustang’s U-shaped appearance. The Ford GT’s front diffusers aren’t as accentuated as the Mustang’s, though the black front splitter adds a bit of aggression to the facial features.
Both supercars feature accentuated buttresses, which add to the identity, and performance, more so for the 2017 GT, as its minimal flair in the front turns into racetrack-ready style in the rear. The rendered mid-engine Mustang’s features feel toned down in the rear, blending the wide wheelbase with the buttresses for a smoother-looking rear.
The Ford GT, inspired by its Le Mans predecessors, plays a big part in the rendered mid-engine Mustang’s design features. The signature teardrop-shaped body of the GT, created by Ford over decades of wind tunnel testing, ensures that every curve, every line, and every vent opening serves a purpose.
The mid-engine Mustang also features a similarly shaped body to the GT, albeit with added Mustang elements. Similarities include front and rear diffusers, side skirts with large air dams, and large hood scoops for added aerodynamics, something Ford excels at.
Though Ford’s signature craftsmanship is present in both vehicles, the Ford GT features actual functions that aren’t yet visualized in the mid-engine Mustang’s renderings, including the adjustable rear wing and upward-opening doors.
From the rear perspective, the mid-engine Mustang does resemble the Ford GT, however the rear quarters narrow slightly with less open space between the buttresses and the engine cover than the 2017 Ford GT. The Ford GT also features a Gorilla Glass transparent engine cover, while the rendered mid-engine Mustang sports a painted, possibly carbon fiber, black engine cover.
The Mid-Engine Mustang Could Be More Powerful Than The Dark Horse
Performance-wise, we have little to base around the rendered mid-engine Mustang, but the seventh-gen Mustangs, including the performance pack Dark Horse model, arrived with powerful engines, multiple transmission options, that make it a formidable weapon on the street and on the track.
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse features the Gen-4 naturally-aspirated Coyote V-8 engine that makes 500 horsepower. The Coyote V-8, fed by a dual intake/throttle body setup, delivers better airflow, throttle response, and power. A mid-engine design could make room for increased air intake and allow for better performance and aerodynamics, as observed in the mid-engine C8 Corvette Z06.
2024 Mustang Dark Horse Performance Specs
0-60 MPH | 4.3-Seconds |
Top Speed | 165 MPH |
Horsepower | 500 |
Torque | 418 Pound-Feet |
Curb Weight | 4,000-Pounds |
Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 5.0-liter V-8 six-speed manual/ten-speed auto transmission two-door, four-passenger, coupe |
The latest mid-engine Corvette Z06 features a naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 that produces 670 horsepower, more than a front-engine Mustang Dark Horse, but with a mid-engine layout, Ford may be able to ramp up the Coyote V-8’s output, or even design an all-new mill around a mid-engine Mustang.
The 2022 Ford GT features a twin-turbo 3.2-liter V-6 that makes 660 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, similar to the engine found in the Raptor. As far as available mid-engine sports cars, the Ford GT outperforms the C8 Corvette Z06, which could prove important in future Ford mid-engine endeavors.
Ford's Aftermarket Efforts Benefit The GT And Mustang
Key differences between a mid-engine Mustang and the Ford GT’s performance aren’t known at this point since the mid-engine Mustang is still a concept. Regardless, speculation draws from both the seventh-gen Mustang and the second-gen GT.
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse features aftermarket handling and performance upgrades that could greatly benefit a mid-engine variation. The available upgraded handling package includes a stiffer suspension, a more aggressive aero package, and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS track tires.
2024 Mustang Aftermarket Upgrades:
- Brembo six-piston front calipers
- Brembo four-cylinder rear calipers
- TREMEC six-speed manual transmission
- Torsen limited-slip differential
- Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS track tires
The 2023 model year GT marks the end of its legendary production run with the second-generation Mk IV being the final model. This opens up a mid-engine slot in the Ford line-up that they may be looking to fill in the future.
The Ford GT may be officially discontinued, but not without receiving a proper sendoff. The 800-horsepower supercar received a redesigned body with a wider wheelbase, more akin to the iconic Le Mans race car, which is fitting since it is a track-only vehicle. Featuring a twin-turbo Ford Ecoboost engine, the 2023 GT comes track-ready with Mutimatic’s Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) racing suspension and Bespoke racing gearbox.
Ford's Future In The Mid-Engine Arena
The slew of racing equipment in the 2023 GT is unlikely to find its way into a streetcar, mid-engine or not, yet the mid-engine layout has allowed Chevrolet to take the Corvette to new heights, who’s to say Ford won’t make history with the Mustang?
If Ford moves forward with a new mid-engine model, whether it is a Mustang or not, the legacy of the Ford GT will definitely serve as the blueprint for what a proper mid-engine supercar should be. If/when that day comes, the mid-engine Ford comparisons will more likely be drawn between itself and the mid-engine C8 Corvette.