New Ford Mustang: sharper, more modern, smarter, but still just as recognizable

The previous, sixth-generation Ford Mustang goes into the books as the most successful Mustang to date. This is thanks in part to the European buyer. In fact, the waved Mustang was the first generation available through official dealers. And this was gratefully taken advantage of. There was even a period when the Mustang managed to surpass “our” own automotive icon, the Porsche 911, in sales. Even in the lion’s den: Germany. A handsome achievement by Ford, and the brand with the blue oval must thus have thought of the credo “never change a winning team  During the creation of the new.

evolved carriage

The new Mustang looks sharper and more dynamic, yet one look at the bodywork is enough to recognize it as such. The designers at Ford have overwhelmingly chosen an evolution in terms of design. Of particular note is the henceforth razor-sharp hip line, as well as the taut buttocks. Viewed three-quarters from behind, this makes the new Mustang somewhat reminiscent of that other illustrious muscle car from the land of Uncle Sam, the Dodge Challenger. The masculine curves of before are definitively no more. As a result, the Mustang did have to sacrifice something of its powerful appearance, we think. Then again, the front end, which looks even meaner than before, more than compensates. When the new Mustang looms in your rear-view mirror, you immediately move up a lane.

Revolutionary cockpit

Open the large doors, take a seat behind the thick sports steering wheel, and you find a completely different Mustang than before. Unlike the exterior, the knife went deep into the interior. As if the Mustang had advanced not one, but two generations. Not to be missed is the huge glass display that now serves as the instrument cluster (12.4 inches), the infotainment system (13.2 inches) and part of the center console all in one. Completely in line with the latest trend in car land and as you also find this in the latest Mercedes cars and the recently facelifted BMW 3-series – cars of a very different stature and caliber, which quietly already indicates the strides Ford has made here. Ford also claims that the materials and upholstery fabrics used have been greatly improved. Furthermore, the SYNC 4 system is faster and more ergonomic than ever thanks to the powerful Unreal Engine 3D software, the brand said.

Only with authentic V8

Optional is a Bose brand audio system that has 12 speakers plus a subwoofer and uses so-called Ford’s Electronic Sound Enhancement technology to amplify engine sounds in the interior. The latter seems completely unnecessary to us, as the new Mustang will only be available in our country with the well-known 5.0-liter V8. The still atmospheric eight-cylinder does not need such artificial additives at all. The reportedly nearly 500 horses (powers) the block can summon are loud and intrusive enough by themselves. As a transmission, there is a choice of a 10-speed automatic or manual transmission. Elsewhere in the world, by the way, the Mustang can also be ordered with a 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder, but it is not coming to the Netherlands.

Circuit-worthy Dark Horse

As standard, each new Mustang is available in 12 colors and equipped with the Performance Pack, consisting of 19-inch alloy wheels and equally large Brembo brake discs, a limited-slip sport differential, an Active Valve Exhaust (which has an appropriate engine sound to offer for every driving scenario), among others. The optional active MagneRide suspension calculates driving conditions 1,000 times per second and uses an electronically controlled fluid to match the shock absorption to the current situation.

For those who like it a little more, there is the Mustang Dark Horse. This special performance version focuses on track use. A modified suspension, additional oil and transmission cooler, improved aerodynamics, the active MagneRide chassis and reinforced V8 are among the standard equipment.

Ford delivers the new Mustang immediately as a Coupe and Convertible. The first examples will find their way to US dealers in the middle of next year. Europe will follow next, hopefully before 2024 arrives.