A Stampede is Coming: Seventh-gen Ford Mustang breaks cover September 14

Rumors and spy shots of an upcoming successor to the current S550 Mustang have been floating around automotive news outlets for months now. The anticipation for the new ‘Stang will soon subside, as Ford announced it will be officially debuting the seventh-generation Mustang in conjunction with this year’s Detroit Auto Show on September 14, at 8 p.m. ET.

Because the Mustang is a such an important part of the American automotive landscape, the Blue Oval is organizing something special. In the week leading up to the unveiling in Detroit, Ford (in partnership with America’s Automotive Trust and the Detroit Auto Show) is putting on a cross-country road trip, a la Hot Rod Power Tour. Dubbed “The Stampede,” the pilgrimage kicks off from Tacoma, Washington, and ends at Ford World Headquarters, with scenic stops along the way. Once gathered at HQ in Dearborn, Mustang owners who completed the road trip, as well as owners local to Detroit, will descend on Hart Plaza downtown for the release party of the all-new pony car. (Registration details can be found here).

For those not able to attend the final festivities in Detroit, the event will be livestreamed on both Ford’s YouTube channel and the Ford Mustang Facebook page.

While little is officially known about the seventh-generation Mustang, the pony car is expected to share its rear-wheel-drive platform (CD6) with the current Explorer. Engine-wise, the new Mustang is expected to retain the Coyote V-8 and the EcoBoost four-cylinder. No official word yet on whether either engine will be backed by a manual transmission, but we are holding out hope. More interestingly, a hybrid drivetrain is expected to be released for this generation as well as an all-wheel-drive option—both firsts for the Mustang.

While the outgoing S550 has only been around since the 2015 model year—not a long time in the grand scheme of Mustang revamps—it’s starting to show its age. We are excited for the launch of this hotly anticipated sports car, but only time will tell if the seventh-generation Ford Mustang will live up to its reputation as an American icon.