Generative render created by AutoGuide.com staffGenerative render created by AutoGuide.com staffFord appears far from finished exploring high-performance derivatives of its flagship pony car.Following the recent reveal of the open-air Mustang Dark Horse SC convertible, an Automotive News report claims that an all-terrain, rally-inspired Mustang-tentatively named the "Baja"-remains under active consideration at Dearborn.While the project has not yet received official public validation, sources confirm that Ford showed early "Baja" concepts during private dealer briefings, indicating the off-road coupe remains in the pipeline.Generative render created by AutoGuide.com staffGenerative render created by AutoGuide.com staffAdvertisementAdvertisementRumors surrounding an off-road Mustang first surfaced back in 2023, with early speculation pointing toward a potential "Mustang Raptor" variant. While those initial timelines shifted, Ford's high-level enthusiasm for an all-terrain sports car never waned.Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly expressed a strong desire to build an off-road supercar, inspired in part by Ford Racing's high-profile entry into the grueling Dakar Rally with the purpose-built Raptor T1+.While a production Mustang Baja wouldn't share the Dakar truck's custom tube-frame chassis, it highlights Ford's interest in building a rugged, high-clearance, two-door performance vehicle to compete with cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.Image: FordImage: FordAdvertisementAdvertisementShould the Mustang Baja reach production, it will likely represent one of the most extreme variants in the nameplate's history. Expectations point toward a supercharged V8 engine, potentially borrowing the 795-horsepower 5.2-liter V8 unit found in the Dark Horse SC. Unlike standard rear-wheel-drive Mustangs, a Baja variant would almost certainly require a specialized all-wheel-drive system to manage loose surface traction. If it's using the 5.2-liter Predator engine, don't expect a manual transmission option.To handle desert running, the chassis would utilize a long-travel setup with Fox Live Valve internal bypass dampers, delivering two to three inches of added ground clearance. Knobby all-terrain tires, reinforced wheels, wider fender flares, and underbody skid plates would round out the build.With the current S650-generation Mustang slated for a mid-cycle update before the end of the decade, an off-road Baja variant could serve as a flagship halo model for the revised lineup.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletterhere.
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