It was just a month ago, when Ford was discussing its second-quarter financial results, that the automaker called out a subsegment that is gaining stature in Dearborn: enthusiast off-roaders. Highlighting their impact on the bottom line, CEO Jim Farley said 25% of Ford’s second-quarter sales were tied to off-road vehicles or trim levels.
Farley said at the time that Raptor and Tremor off-road variants of the Bronco and F-150, for instance, are attracting new customers who are younger, more affluent, and more geographically diverse. “And we are investing to grow our leadership in this space,” Farley said on a call with analysts. “Stay tuned.”
Off-Road ‘Passion Products’ Could Include Mustang
Mustang Mach-E Rally Dirt Track TestFord
If a product variant makes money, you can bet that top management will pursue it aggressively and expand it, especially if the car or truck is one of Ford’s “passion products” with extremely loyal followings, like the Mustang, Bronco, F-150, and the compact Maverick pickup.
True, Mustang has a rich history filled with high-horsepower special editions for the track, or for the road, and we know that Ford wants to take the Mustang in other directions that might prove controversial, such as a four-door body style or a fuel-saving hybrid powertrain. But here’s a concept that could blow some minds in the Mustang fan forums.
Automotive News reporter Mike Martinez mentioned it last week in a video roundtable about Ford’s future product plans. “They’ve shown dealers an off-road Mustang called Baja,” Martinez said. “As far as we know, that’s still in the works at some point.”
Could An Off-Road Mustang Baja Finally Reach Production?
2026 Ford Mustang Convertible interior steering wheelFord
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard talk about Ford taking its iconic pony car off the beaten path. And we aren’t talking about the electric Mach-E Rally, which many internal-combustion Mustang lovers don’t consider an actual Mustang anyway. Beyond the Mach-E Rally, some clever German engineers at Loder1899 came up with their own version of an off-road Mustang Raptor, inspired by Pierce Brosnan’s modified Mustang in The Thomas Crown Affair.
Off-road Mustang rumors have been around for a few years now, back when the Mustang sedan was also being circulated. In May 2026, Ford Europe fueled the fire even more with a teaser showing all kinds of rally-focused models in the works. But the recent Automotive News claim points a finger squarely at Mustang, complete with a name – not a baja-style Mustang, but a Mustang called Baja. And dealers reportedly saw it behind closed doors not long ago.
Unlike the Mach-E, this would be a combustion-powered Mustang that almost certainly packs the Coyote V8 under the hood. That engine is 500-horsepower capable in Dark Horse trim, and without a heavy battery pack to sling around, it could be way better than the Mach-E on its very best day. Heck, considering Ford’s experience with Raptors, it might even have a little bit of over-the-road capability, if you catch our drift.
Considering the Mustang’s pedigree, an off-road version could be the most awkward pony car of them all. But it just might be the most fun, too. Maybe not as fun as a P-51 or Frank Bullitt jumping the streets of San Francisco, but you get the idea.
US P51 Mustang fighter from World War II and Ford Mustang GT used in 1968 film Bullitt.US Air Force Museum/Petersen Automotive Museum
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Automakers can’t always count on brand-new nameplates to succeed or generate new revenue streams. Sometimes the safer bet is to create a variant of an existing model that appeals to a slightly different audience, kind of like Ford would be doing with an off-road Baja version of the Mustang.
It would have to check several boxes. It would have to be fast, stylish, lifted, and likely heavier than a conventional Mustang, with more underbody protection. And it would have to be maneuverable, too, which perhaps favors a two-door body style, although a sedan would not be out of the question.
Are you ready to hit trails – or possibly jump over them – in a Mustang? You can pray and call Dearborn HQ every day to lobby for Ford to produce the Mustang Baja. But if anything happens, it probably won’t come around until the mid-cycle refresh expected around 2028.
Base Trim Engine
EcoBoost 2.3L ICE
Base Trim Transmission
10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
315 HP @5000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
350 lb.-ft. @ 3000 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
21/32/25 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Infotainment & Features
8 /10
Source: Automotive News
