2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Ford successfully built on the S197 Mustang’s retro-revival success with the sixth generation of the model, built from 2015 through 2023. The S550 generation, so known because of the car’s internal model code, carried forward a freshened design that still had clear roots in the original 1965 Mustang. It also stuck with the prototypical pony car template the Mustang originated (long-hood, short-deck, rear-wheel drive), while updating it with modern technology. The result was a balanced car that blended sports and muscle features, all at an accessible price point.

Underneath, the S550 Mustang substituted the live rear axle that had defined Mustangs since the 1960s with an independent rear suspension that dramatically improved ride quality and handling. The car was built on Ford’s new global platform and offered a wider stance, lower roofline, and more rigid structure. Buyers could choose from several powertrains, starting with a 3.7-liter V-6, a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, and the legendary 5.0-liter Coyote V-8. The engines were paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, which was later replaced by a ten-speed unit.

Through its eight-year run, Ford refined and expanded the lineup, dropping the V-6 after 2017, and leaving the EcoBoost and GT as the core offerings. The EcoBoost delivered fuel efficiency with 310 horsepower in most years. The GT’s V-8, on the other hand, remained the soul of the Mustang, with output climbing from 435 horsepower in 2015 to 480 in later models. Both versions benefited from Ford’s continuous suspension improvements and the optional Performance Package, which added stiffer springs, upgraded brakes, and stickier tires for serious track use.

Special editions reinforced the Mustang’s status among performance cars. The Shelby GT350 and GT350R, introduced for 2016, were built around a high-revving 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 known as the “Voodoo,” producing 526 horsepower and one of the most distinctive exhaust notes of any modern car. These models focused on precision and balance, with advanced aerodynamics, lightweight components, and magnetic dampers that made them as capable on a racetrack as on the street. Later, the Shelby GT500 arrived as the ultimate expression of the breed, using a supercharged 5.2-liter “Predator” V-8 making 760 horsepower and pushing the Mustang towards supercar territory.

By the time production ended in 2023, the sixth-generation Mustang had established a reputation as a car that was comfortable enough for daily driving yet potent enough to thrill seasoned enthusiasts. Its technology—ranging from selectable drive modes and adaptive damping to advanced infotainment—brought the Mustang firmly into the 21st century. The S550 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Mustang story, bridging classic muscle with modern performance engineering in a way that ensured the legend would continue.