zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Automobile information
/
New 7th-Generation Ford Mustang Revealed!
New 7th-Generation Ford Mustang Revealed!-November 2024
2023-12-14 EST 02:30:25

The wraps have come off the new Ford Mustang, with the seventh-generation pony car gaining evolutionary styling changes and an overhauled interior, and thankfully retaining the option of a V8 engine…

Meet the new Ford Mustang. Seemingly riding on an updated version of the outgoing model’s platform, the seventh-generation Mustang likewise uses tweaked versions of its predecessor’s petrol engines. The big news, of course, is the fact the familiar 5.0-litre V8 powerplant lives on.

As with the sixth-generation Mustang, the newcomer will be available in coupé and convertible body styles, with the engine line-up again comprising the aforementioned V8 and an updated version of the turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder engine. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered, depending on the market.

Though the Blue Oval brand has yet to confirm peak power and torque outputs of either of the engine options, it does promise the fourth generation of its Coyote 5.0-litre V8 (which, for the record, makes 330 kW and 529 Nm in outgoing SA-spec form) will deliver the “most naturally aspirated horsepower of any Mustang GT” thanks to a new dual air-intake box and dual-throttle body design.

Ford Mustang manual

The 6-speed manual gearbox lives on the new Ford Mustang (in some markets, anyway).

In North America at least, the V8 lump will again be offered in conjunction with a 6-speed manual transmission (complete with a rev-matching function), though customers will have the option of specifying a 10-speed automatic transmission if they prefer two pedals to three. From what we understand, the manual cog-swapper won’t be available with the EcoBoost unit.

The new Mustang will feature six drive modes (normal, sport, slippery, drag, track and a customisable setting), while a Performance Pack will be optional in some markets. The latter adds a range of track-inspired features, such as a front tower brace, Torsen limited-slip differential, active suspension, wider rear wheels and larger brakes (390 mm front and 355 mm rear Brembo items), plus the option of Recaro seats and an active exhaust. In addition, the GT Performance Pack includes brake ducts and an auxiliary engine-oil cooler.

The seventh-generation Mustang furthermore gains a quicker steering ratio along with a “segment-first” electronic drift brake to “unlock the rear-wheel-drive drifting capability” of the new model. Called the Performance Electronic Parking Brake (with the “visual appeal and functionality” of a traditional, mechanical hand brake), this feature ostensibly allows novice drivers to learn and improve their drifting skills.

A look inside the new Ford Mustang’s cabin

Ford Mustang cabin

The pair of screens can optionally be connected behind a single piece of glass.

While the exterior design changes are fairly subtle (Ford calls them “edgier”), the Dearborn-based firm has made significant alterations to the Mustang’s cabin, rolling out what it describes as a “fighter jet-inspired digital” interior and the “most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date”.

In standard form, the facia features a pair of curved displays, with Ford promising the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster is highly customisable. Interestingly, the digital instrument cluster can be optionally configured to flow into a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 centre stack behind a single piece of integrated glass angled toward the driver.

The American automaker has ditched some physical buttons (such as those for the radio and climate control) and integrated them into a digital display. Other changes inside include a new flat-bottomed steering wheel, which Ford says “provides more space when getting seated”. The company has also introduced something it calls Remote Rev, which – as the name suggests – lends the owner the ability to rev the car’s engine remotely using the key fob.

In North America, upholstery choices include cloth, Micro Suede vinyl inserts, synthetic leather upholstery and leather seat inserts. Top-spec models offer a leather-trimmed steering wheel as well as a choice of colour accent stitching and a unique upholstery perforation across the seat inserts. Other features and options include wireless smartphone charging, new overhead USB ports and a B&O sound system.

Of course, there’s plenty of safety kit on offer, from speed-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist to evasive steer assist and reverse brake assist. The Performance Package, meanwhile, adds active pothole mitigation, which monitors suspension, body, steering and braking input and adjusts suspension response accordingly.

The exterior styling of Ford’s fresh-faced Mustang

Ford Mustang family

Note the less aggressive front styling of the EcoBoost model on the left.

Ford claims the new model’s upper grille design shape was influenced by the original 1960s design, while the roofline and shortened rear overhang also remain true to the proportions of the first generation.The extended rear deck houses a fresh tri-bar lighting arrangement as well as a redesigned diffuser. The V8-powered GT is differentiated from the 4-cylinder model by larger, more aggressive grille openings. The apex model’s aerodynamics are optimised further with the addition of new bonnet vents and a redesigned front splitter.

In its domestic market, the new Mustang will be available in a choice of 11 exterior colours, including two new shades (Vapor Blue and Yellow Splash). Customers also can choose from three Brembo brake calliper hues (black, red or blue), while newly designed alloy wheels range in size from 17-inch items to 19-inch versions (with the option of upgrading to 20 inches on the GT).

“Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion vehicles,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company. “Ford, however, is turbocharging its ICE growth plan, adding connected technology, opinionated derivatives, and hybrid options to our most profitable and popular cars – all in the Ford Blue family – on top of investing $50-billion in electric vehicles through 2026.”

The new Mustang will be built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, with sales in the United States commencing in 2023. Though right-hand-drive production has been confirmed, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has yet to indicate exactly when it plans to launch the new Mustang locally.

The Mustang’s (short) modern history in South Africa

Back in August 2014, Ford announced its engineers had finished construction of the very first right-hand-drive sixth-generation Mustang, confirming the production version would be exported to more than 25 right-hand-drive markets, including South Africa.

In December of the following year, the Mustang officially launched locally, with the range comprising six derivatives. There were fastback and convertible body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and 4-cylinder and V8 engines. In July 2019, the refreshed Mustang arrived, with the line-up gainingBullittspecial edition. TheMach 1followed in 2021, before theCalifornia Specialarrived in 2022.

The outgoing Mustang range in South Africa – representing the only truepassenger car from Fordstill offered locally – currently comprises just three variants, all powered by the V8 engine: a fastback, a convertible and the aforementioned California Special.

Buy a Ford Mustang on Cars.co.za

Related Content

Ford Mustang Mach 1 in SA: 5 Cool Facts

You can have this 615kW Mustang in SA

Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback (2019) Review

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Automobile information
2021 Volkswagen Golf 8 Leaks Early
2021 Volkswagen Golf 8 Leaks Early
We're less than 24 hours away from Volkswagen revealing the all-new Golf 8 and already photos have started appearing online.  Thanks to Instagram user CocheSpias, we're able to see the newcomer in a bit more detail, although the images are low resolution. What we can see confirms our speculative...
Nov 17, 2024
Spy Shots: 2021 Hyundai Kona N
Spy Shots: 2021 Hyundai Kona N
After being confirmed by Hyundai, we're starting to see the first Hyundai Kona N prototypes running around. Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien After the rampant success of the Hyundai i30 N, the Korean brand has turned its attention to sharing the N magic with the rest of its portfolio. Spotted on...
Nov 17, 2024
Jaguar reveals GT4 supercar
Jaguar reveals GT4 supercar
Here is a new supercar concept you can drive, albeit virtually. Jaguar has channelled its proud sportscar history with a striking new digital supercar.  Revealed during a live stream event at the Tokyo Auto Show, it is called the Vision Gran Turismo and combines many historically relevant design elements....
Nov 17, 2024
Spy Shots: 2021 Audi RS3 Sportback
Spy Shots: 2021 Audi RS3 Sportback
Arguably one of the most loved hyper hatchbacks, the Audi RS3 has a cult following. Our spy photographers have spotted the all-new model on the roads. Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien With its potent 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Audi RS3 has enjoyed immense popularity. Now the all-new model has been...
Nov 17, 2024
2020 Volkswagen Golf 8 Officially Revealed
2020 Volkswagen Golf 8 Officially Revealed
After a wave of leaks just hours before the event, the Volkswagen Golf 8 has finally been revealed. Here's all you need to know. We had a good chance to look at the exterior and design of the all-new Volkswagen Golf 8 thanks to numerous leaks and spy shots,...
Nov 17, 2024
BMW X3/X4 M Competition (2019) Specs & Price
BMW X3/X4 M Competition (2019) Specs & Price
BMW is hosting its second M Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 26 – 27 October 2019 and our very own Gero Lilleike attended the media day this week to sample the brand’s latest M products on track.  Local BMW fans are in for a treat at...
Nov 17, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved