Now that the 2015 Mustang has hit, and the GT350 has been previewed, we’re left wondering what’s next. We know that Chevrolet has a new Camaro on the horizon, and we’re pretty certain the LT1 engine will be under the hood. There’s little doubt that the bow-tie boys are going to try to one up the horsepower of the current Mustang GT. That leads to an interesting question with how will Ford respond?

In the last few years Ford has upped the Mustang power considerably, consider that the Coyote was nearly a 100 hp step up from the previous 3-valve 4.6. While, we wouldn’t expect to see another step this big, especially with the upcoming Voodoo engine in the GT350. However, we have to wonder how much more is on the table.

Looking at the Mustang over the last two decades, when the model is changed, if the engine is not substantially changed at the same time, it is typically updated or changed within a few years of the model change. Take a look at the SN95 platform, first there was a slightly changed 5.0, then the 4.6 SOHC and DOHC were brought on in 1996. By 1999 the 4.6 SOHC was making 260 horsepower on its next revision, the third engine change or update in the Mustang GT in 5 years.

The 2015 Coyote engine is very similar to the previous generation Boss, but doesn’t meet that engine’s output. We know Ford originally put provisions in the Coyote cylinder heads for direct injection with the first version in 2011. As far as we know those provisions have since been removed. However, there’s no reason to believe they couldn’t be brought back.

So what do we think will happen with the Mustang engine in the next 2-3 years? We doubt we’ll see forced induction become standard on the Mustang GT, that would put it at too much of a threat to the Voodoo engine. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Coyote 5.0 get even higher compression, direct injection, and revised cams and cylinder heads. Don’t be surprised if within 3 years we see a new version with over 450 horsepower naturally aspirated.

This is all of course purely speculation, as Ford officials won’t comment on anything upcoming. With the LT1 on the horizon for the Camaro, we don’t see Ford playing second fiddle to GM for any stretch of time in terms of sheer horsepower. We’ll probably find out what changes are coming in the next year or two, and when we do, we’ll report it right here.