S650 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost Previewed Ahead of Official Reveal

Rumored to exist months ago, the S650 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost has been teased as the most exciting turbocharged pony car ever.

Several months ago, a report surfaced claiming that at a recent dealer meeting, Ford showed off a host of potential future Mustang variants to dealers – including a safari-style off-roader, a sedan, a Shelby-like performance model, and an S650 Ford Mustang RTR utilizing the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 powerplant. Now, some time later, one of those variants has been reviewed by the automaker – the S650 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost – ahead of its official reveal, and it’s on display at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, to boot.

The Mustang RTR EcoBoost is the very first such model to be based on the new S650 generation pony car in non-GT form, and it’s also just the second time in the Mustang’s 60-year history that Ford will sell a performance model co-created with an outside partner from the factory. Ford didn’t share too many technical details about this new model, but did promise that it will be “the most exciting enthusiast focused turbocharged Mustang ever.”

The new S650 Ford Mustang RTR EcoBoost prototype also features a unique one-off wrap, as we can see here, along with Hyper Lime Brembo brake calipers and a pedestal spoiler. It was developed in conjunction with RTR founder and Formula Drift Ford Performance driver Vaughn Gittin Jr., who has played a big hand in several pony car developments as of late – including the latest model’s drift brake feature, as well as Performance Packages. If nothing else, the new RTR variant could serve as a replacement for the High Performance Package, which was discontinued for the 2025 model year.

“From Mustang GTD to Mustang Dark Horse to the new Mustang RTR, there’s a high-performance pony for every Mustang fan and customer,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, Ford Product Development. “The RTR team has so much passion and experience on and off the track that we’ve partnered to develop the most exciting, enthusiast focused EcoBoost Mustang ever.”

“I’m pumped to have the opportunity to create what we believe is the most exciting turbocharged Mustang ever,” said Gittin, Jr. “This Mustang RTR is pure accessible fun, with many enhancements, including Mustang Dark Horse components, Mustang EcoBoost’s near-perfect weight distribution, and RTR’s signature styling, it’s ready for drifting, drag racing, back-road cruising, or ripping around an autocross track. The new Mustang RTR is truly Ready to Rock.”

Photos: Ford

Join the Mustang Source Forums now!

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.