SYDNEY, Australia—Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai, Barcelona, and Sydney. These were the six chosen cities in four continents fortunate to have been chosen for the simultaneous unveiling of the iconic pony car—the brand-spanking-new Ford Mustang.
And with Australia’s time zone ahead of the rest of the world, the assembled throng in Sydney had to wait until close to midnight for the real-time unveiling. It was truly an extraordinary experience as journalists felt like children waiting for Santa Claus to arrive at the stroke of midnight.
“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car,†said Raj Nair, Ford group VP, global product development. “The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonate with people, even if they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car—it is the heart and soul of Ford.â€
The Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made countless appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. And for the first time ever, Ford will bring the Mustang to Europe and Asia. Needless to say, the new Mustang is the most cosmopolitan edition yet.
“We crafted this car with the goal of creating a contemporary interpretation of Mustang—an American automotive icon that symbolizes optimism and freedom for millions of people around the world,†said Jim Farley, EVP of Ford global marketing, sales and service.
New shape that’s unmistakably Mustang
“You only get one chance to make a first impression, and when you see this car you immediately see a Mustang, strong and true,†said Moray Callum, Ford executive director of design.
The new pony car sports the classic long hood/short rear deck proportions that are styling trademarks of the Mustang from the very first 1965 model. The signature shark nose and steeply raked fastback roofline are present, rendered in a sleek and contemporary way. And unlike previous Mustang debuts, the newest iteration rolls out with both hardtop and convertible versions from Day 1.
The information and controls are all readily accessible in the aircraft-inspired cockpit, which is crafted with the finest materials and the highest levels of fit and finish ever found in a Mustang. Large, clear instruments put vehicle information right in front of the driver in the roomier cabin, while improved ergonomics and tactile switches and knobs provide better control. The added width and a new rear suspension contribute to improved shoulder and hip room for passengers, and a more usefully shaped trunk can accommodate two golf bags.
The Mustang experience
The way Mustang looks, drives, and sounds is key to the visceral experience that makes drivers just want to get in and hit the road. The upgraded V6 and V8 engines are joined by an all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that brings state-of-the-art technology to the Mustang.
The Mustang GT continues with the latest edition of the throaty 5.0-liter V8, now featuring an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads that yield a high-revving 7,000-rpm redline for a brawny 420hp and a whopping 529Nm of torque—enough for a 250-km/h top speed. A new intake manifold improves low-speed breathing for better fuel economy, idle stability and emissions.
The cutting-edge Mustang EcoBoost engine, meanwhile, uses direct injection, variable cam timing, and turbocharging to deliver plenty of usable performance and segment-leading fuel efficiency. A unique intake manifold and turbocharger enable it to deliver a very strong 305hp and 407Nm of torque.
“This EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to, with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for easy passing or hustling down a twisty road,†said Dave Pericak, Ford Mustang chief engineer.
Last but not least, with around 300hp and 366Nm of torque from the standard 3.7-liter V6, even the most accessible Mustang delivers the pony car performance customers expect.
Drivers will appreciate smoother shifts from the updated manual gearbox (now with six speeds), while a reworked automatic (also with six speeds) features new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for drivers who want the choice between convenience and control.
Most nimble pony ever, thanks to IRS
The all-new Mustang promises new handling benchmarks, delivering world-class dynamics and ride quality. “We already set a very high standard for Mustang’s dynamics with Boss 302, and our goal was to go above and beyond that with this new car,†said Pericak.
The latest Mustang features all-new front and rear suspensions. Up front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the structure while reducing mass, providing a better foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride. The new double-ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of larger, more powerful brakes. This is expected to be the best stopping Mustang yet, with three available brake packages.
The big news is at the rear, with a sophisticated new integral-link independent rear suspension (IRS). The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application. New aluminum rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.
Smarter than your average pony
The new Mustang boasts a huge amount of innovative technologies providing drivers with enhanced information, control and connectivity. From Intelligent Access with push-button start to SYNC and MyKey, plus available Track Apps, MyColor gauges and new Shaker Pro audio system, drivers will be able to customize their time behind the wheel.
Additionally, the driver can tap the toggle switches on the console to quickly adjust steering effort, engine response, and transmission and electronic stability control settings using the available Selectable Drive Modes to tailor the car’s dynamic performance to his or her driving style and to the driving conditions.
The advanced new stability control system is tuned to maximize Mustang’s dynamic capabilities with features like torque vectoring that directs engine power to individual wheels to help keep the car on course. When the time comes to turn up the wick at the track, Mustang GT includes standard launch control that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent starts every time.
When it’s time to back off and relax for the drive home, available advanced driver-assist features including Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control can help ease the load, while SYNC AppLink lets drivers control their smartphone apps to listen to their favorite form of entertainment.
The new Mustang won’t make its way to Philippine shores until the last quarter of next year. (Even U.S. customers will have to wait until 2014 to get the new ‘Stang, which is already referred to as a 2015 model.)
One thing’s for sure, though—it’ll be well worth the wait.