Ford Mustang Raptor off-road coupe rumored for 2026

Even before the pandemic, the "safari" trend of taking cars not originally meant for off-roading and modifying them for that exact task was gathering steam. The fad grew so popular that manufacturers themselves got in on the action, with official offerings like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato appearing within the last year. The new Ford Mustang is now rumored to be next in line for safarification.

According to Car and Driver, Ford is developing a Mustang Raptor, an off-road style 'Stang in the vein of the F-150, Ranger, and Bronco Raptors. The report is certain enough of the project that it's even predicting the powertrain: the 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 500-horsepower and mated to a 10-speed automatic. Output will be routed to all four wheels via an electronic center diff.