2016 Ford Mustang
Sixth generation · S550 2015–2023
The S550, the first Mustang with independent rear suspension as standard, built 2015–2023.
The 2016 model year
Overview
A mostly carryover year for the core lineup, but the headline was the arrival of the Shelby GT350 and the track-focused GT350R — powered by the naturally aspirated 5.2 L "Voodoo" V8, the first flat-plane-crank V8 Ford ever put in a production car. It revved to roughly 8,250 rpm and made 526 horsepower.
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 3.7 L "Cyclone" V6 (base) 305 hp
- 2.3 L EcoBoost turbo I4 310 hp
- 5.0 L "Coyote" V8 (GT) 435 hp
- 5.2 L "Voodoo" flat-plane V8 (Shelby GT350 / GT350R) 526 hp
- Transmissions
- 6-speed manual (Getrag MT82), 6-speed automatic (6R80), Shelby GT350: 6-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160) only
- Body styles
- Fastback coupe, Convertible
- Base price
- $24,145 (V6 fastback) ≈$31,600 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- 105,932 (US)
Year over year
What changed
- Shelby GT350 and GT350R debuted with the 5.2 L flat-plane-crank "Voodoo" V8.
- The Voodoo was Ford's first production flat-plane V8 — 526 hp, ~8,250 rpm redline.
- GT350R deleted weight (rear seats, A/C and stereo standard-delete) and added carbon-fiber wheels for the track.
- Core V6 / EcoBoost / GT lineup carried over largely unchanged.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- The Voodoo V8 is a specialist engine — flat-plane vibration and a high-rpm character are inherent, and proper maintenance history matters on these cars.
- MT82 manual shift feel remains a generation-wide point to check.
Worth knowing
Notable
- First year for the flat-plane Voodoo V8 and the GT350 / GT350R, now landmark enthusiast cars.
- The GT350R is the rare, track-stripped halo of the pair.
Famous variants this year
Sources
Other Sixth generation years
Explore the S550 generation → All Sixth generation · S550 years →