Ford does not plan to replace the Mustang anytime soon.

According to Automobile Magazine, the next Ford Mustang will not be released until 2026. Ford’s iconic sports car, soon to be the last of its kind, will continue to ride on its current S550 platform for several more years.

It’s not impossible to imagine it undergoing major changes. Mustang enthusiasts can expect a major overhaul to the platform in the next few years. This will not only change the exterior sheetmetal, but also to allow for a hybrid drivetrain.

The platform for the next Mustang, likely to be called the S650, is shared with the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer. The platform, known as the CD6, will be modified extensively for Mustang use. This is why the S650 moniker was given to it. The Mustang’s basic platform will be shared with volume vehicles such as the Explorer to help make it profitable and to keep it alive.

According to Automobile, the next Mustang will likely be larger than the Dodge Challenger. According to Automobile, a longer wheelbase will help the EPA meet its fuel economy expectations.

The Mustang has been sharing a platform with less-interesting machinery for 40 years. The Mustang S550 was on the Fox platform for 25 years. This means that the Mustang S550 will be there for 12 model years or more.

Even the refreshed S550 is a ways away, as well as the S650. We don’t often have such details, especially for volume cars like Ford Mustang. We are just glad Ford intends to keep the Mustang around and preserve its winning formula – for a long time.