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The next-generation Ford Mustang (S650) is on the way, and fans are excited to see the pony car survive the industry push for electrification. However, Ford shed three things from the new Mustang without making too much noise. Check out what you won’t find in the seventh-generation S650 lineup, like a manual transmission in the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost trims. 

The New Mustang lost three things for its seventh-generation

  • No manual transmission in the EcoBoost trims
  • Non-Premium GT loses its convertible top
  • Double-bubble brow dash and retro switchgear

While the loss of some of the retro-inspired interior features might not be substantial, some other differences could be a game changer for pony car fanatics. For instance, the disappearance of the EcoBoost’s MT82 manual transmission means the most affordable way to get a row-your-own S650 Mustang for 2024 is with a V8-powered GT. Moreover, only the Premium GT trim offers a convertible top for the S650. 

Will the 2024 Mustang EcoBoost have a manual transmission?

The new 2024 Ford Mustang S650 EcoBoost loses the manual, so GTs like this one are the only option with a manual transmission.
The 2024 Ford Mustang GT keeps a manual transmission | Ford

Unfortunately for fans of the entry-level pony car, the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost will lose its manual transmission for the new generation. Instead, the EcoBoost will offer Ford’s 10-speed automatic as the only transmission option. 

That’s not necessarily a bad thing regarding speed and comfy cruising. An automatic-equipped S550 Mustang EcoBoost could hit 60 mph in around five seconds, quicker than an entry-level Dodge Challenger SXT. However, the loss of the manual means the cheapest trim with an optional manual transmission is the V8-powered GT, which starts at $41,495 for the new S650 model. Ford’s good-times machine makes having fun more expensive for the seventh-generation pony car. 

How much will the 2024 Mustang GT convertible cost?

The base-model 2024 Ford Mustang GT doesn’t offer a convertible trim. Instead, the $52,515 GT Premium Convertible is the most affordable V8-powered way to drop the top in the model’s seventh-generation lineup. 

However, getting a new Ford sports car with a drop-top is much pricier than its predecessor. For instance, Ford’s media team says the 2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible starts at around $33,270. That’s quite a bit less than the most affordable 2024 model with a drop top, the 2024 EcoBoost Convertible.   

Is a Mustang a luxury car?

The Ford Mustang is many things, but it’s certainly not a luxury car. Still, the new 2024 Ford Mustang ditches the previous generation’s dated interior for an update, including the available 13.2-inch center stack that blends into a 12.4-inch customizable gauge cluster. 

However, in the much-needed interior update, the Ford Mustang lost some retro details connecting it to other generations. Most notably, Ford traded the S550’s old-school double-bubble brow dash for a cinematic screen landscape in the new pony car. The iconic double-bubble shape is a direct nod to the first-generation cars, so it’s a bittersweet update. 

It’s not all bad, though. Ford has a nostalgic Fox Body mode for its display as if to replace the physical dash with a bit of digital reverence. 

What do you think of the new pony car? Tell us in the comments below!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).