Ford’s 7th-Gen Mustang Continues America’s Pony Car Icon
America’s roads have been galloped by six generations of Ford Mustang for nearly 60 years; each model carving out another image and defining another era for the Blue Oval’s most beloved car. And today, Ford unveiled the next generation of this prolific pony at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. The 2024 Ford Mustang will blend many of the recognizable shapes, sounds and features enthusiasts have come to enjoy over the last six decades with a healthy injection of modernity and technology. The best example of that may be the powertrain. Ford is bringing back the venerable 5.0-liter Coyote V8, entering its 4th-generation with this new model. While exact performance stats are yet to be disclosed, Ford representatives echoed that it will be the Mustang GT’s most powerful 5.0 yet-- the biggest change possibly being the inclusion of two separate air intakes sucking air from behind the pony’s twin-nostril grille. The EcoBoost namesake also returns; the 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 should sound familiar to Mustang fans, now providing even more power as well. Those of you who love to shift your own gears will be happy to hear that a six-speed manual transmission is also here to stay; those okay skipping the third pedal will be able to select the 10-speed automatic. An available Remote Rev feature allows you to do just that: rev your engine with your remote. You may ask “why?” We return, “why not?” The design of the new Mustang was self-described as being edgier; true, though the 7th-generation model hosts plenty of Mustang-DNA (and Easter eggs for you to find). The traditional coupe and convertible lifestyle will still be available for consideration. All models will see new Tri-Bar headlamps surrounding the grille, and the rear decklid, now painted, is bookended by updated Tri-Bar tail lights-- sharply concave and angled with the rear. Depending on whether it’s a GT or EcoBoost, a slightly different front end will spearhead the ride. The GT has larger and more aggressive openings in the grille (accommodating the aforementioned dual intakes), as well as a slotted heat extractor near the front of the hood. The interior of the new Mustang is undoubtedly updated for the times. The iconic double-hump dash has been axed, but inplace of it is a tech-savvy cockpit with new materials and more screen real estate. Standard on the Mustang are two large displays; however, Premium-equipped models will see a monolithic design encapsulating both the driver’s digital instrument cluster and the SYNC 4 infotainment system. Other interior changes include the flat-bottomed steering wheel and an updated appointment of materials.
