Ford Just Gave Muscle Car Fans Some New Hope for the Future

The Blue Oval’s enduring icon will feature an engine under the hood for some years to come.

Close-up of the front grille of a blue Ford Mustang, featuring the iconic running horse emblem in the center. The grille has a black honeycomb pattern with silver accents around the edges, and the headlights on either side have a modern, sleek design with LED lighting.

Published August 28, 2025

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Updated August 28, 2025

Following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Camaro and the electrification of the Dodge Charger, many muscle car fans were left wondering what the future would hold for the Ford Mustang.

All the more so once the Mustang Mach-E started to gallop ahead of its gas-powered counterpart in sales, first in 2024 and again this year.

Front view of a dark-colored Ford Mustang with headlights on, surrounded by smoke or mist, set against a sunset or sunrise sky. — Though Ford’s Mustang future once looked all-electric, the Blue Oval will continue to build the muscle car with an engine under the hood.

However, a new report just confirmed that Ford will be keeping an engine under the hood of its pony car well into the next generation. Here’s why it should give you some hope.

Combustion for coming pony cars

As first reported by Automotive News, the Blue Oval won’t be making the Mustang (coupe) electric anytime soon.

Instead, the pony car is slated to gain a slew of gas-powered variants. First, Ford will be launching a new RTR this year, after which it will be refreshing the Mustang in 2026 and giving the model a complete overhaul in 2029.

Blue-gray sports coupe with black multi-spoke wheels and blue brake calipers, parked in front of a red and white corrugated metal wall. The car has a sleek, aerodynamic design with a rear spoiler and a "5.0" badge on the front fender. — The Mustang has changed significantly since its 1964 debut, but the first generation’s fastback roofline can be seen in the car even today.

Though previous rumors had suggested that Ford would use the launch of the new generation as an opportunity to debut its all-electric Mustang coupe, any plans to turn it into an EV have supposedly been scrapped.

At most, the Blue Oval is likely to build a hybrid as part of its plan to expand its lineup with alternative energy solutions. After all, there’s been talk of an electrified V8 model for quite some time now.

Blue Ford Mustang sports car driving through a tunnel at night, with headlights on and motion blur on the road. — The Dark Horse sees the Mustang equipped for track duty with trick aero, suspension and brakes.

Ford doubles down on the Mustang

As someone who remains stubbornly committed to keeping a 1967 Mustang running and driving, I can appreciate (and have to commend) Ford’s dedication.

In an age where its competitors have either culled or compromised, the brand has stood steadfast and instead decided to double down on its icon. After all, even with the launch of the electric Mach-E, the Blue Oval has continued to raise the performance threshold of its gas-powered Mustang.

A sleek black sports car with a wide body kit and a large rear wing is driving on a race track. The track surface is covered with various chalk or paint markings and graffiti. The car has a low front splitter, aggressive hood vents, and narrow headlights. The surrounding area includes a metal guardrail and grassy embankments. — Ford’s Mustang GTD is one of the fastest American cars to ever lap Germany’s ‘Green Hell.’

Historically, muscle cars have only excelled when driven in a straight line. However, models like the Dark Horse and the GTD prove that an old dog — erm, horse — can still be built to learn new tricks.

And that’s not even mentioning some of the brand’s other initiatives to keep support for its pony car alive and well.

Along with launching a series of Mustang track driving opportunities through its Performance Racing School, Ford has also teased a new immersive amusement park-like experience set to hit Los Angeles this fall.

Silver-blue Ford Mustang GT 60 Years Edition driving on a road, viewed from the rear left side, featuring distinctive triple-bar taillights, quad exhaust pipes, and a "60 Years" decal on the side skirt. — The 60th Anniversary Mustang celebrates the Ford pony car’s extensive heritage.

In any case, between its ongoing market support and its various cultural and historical engagements, the Blue Oval is proving that alternative energy doesn’t have to mean the end of muscle cars like the Mustang. I know it only motivates me to keep my ‘67 on the road.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.