With all the talk about the next-generation 2015 Mustang its been easy to overlook what’s right in front of us. Ford is readying a mild refresh for the 2013 Mustang set to make its debut later this year. The mid-cycle changes are directed at keeping the Mustang fresh against the Camaro but also to bridge the styling gap between it and the 2015 model.
Recently caught by in Dearborn, MI by forum member Stangpilot007 at TheMustangSource, Ford is now in final testing of the 2013 Mustang. Mustang will be getting revised front and rear fascias to give a cleaner and more aggressive appearance. Mustang GT is said to get a more Shelbyesque grille and fascia treatment to clean up the complex design of the current lower fascia.
As seen in the photos, body colored lower cladding will answer the critics who say the black ABS plastic under belly of the current 2010-2012 models looks cheap. The look will certainly raise the rent on style and will give a fresh overall perspective to the car’s silhouette.
As seen in the photos, rear exhaust openings at least for GT-500 appear to be elongated for double-barrel tips. A new rear tail light panel that spans the rear flank has been reported and new sleeker headlamps are also rumored. The GT-500 at least may see a new hood design as well.
Powertrains for the Mustang V6 and Mustang 5.0 GT are expected to be largely carry-over. Some news outlets believe there might be a slight horsepower bump for the 5.0 liter V8 attributed to software tweaks. The 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions are expected to carry-over as well.
The big news in powertrains is expected with the Shelby GT-500. The rumblings and spy photos this season have pointed to a GT-500 that packs over 600hp. What that power comes from has been rumored to be a larger displacement version of the existing 5.4 liter supercharged engine.
Reports have hinted at 5.8 liters or more from the engine that first made duty in the Ford GT supercar. A larger displacement supercharger is likely as well. While some media outlets have speculated about a twin-turbo GT-500, those who have heard the engineering mules say supercharger.
The 2013 Mustang is expected to debut in Los Angeles at the auto show in November. If history is any guide, Ford will follow up with the 2013 Shelby GT-500 at the Detroit show in January. Full photos and specifications will be out just ahead of both shows. In any case we will be on the floor of both shows to bring photos and video of both.
