Ford has revealed the all-new Mustang,1 transforming the world’s best-selling sports coupe with a completely re-designed digital cockpit, an advanced new V8 engine and edgier styling to make this the most fun-to-drive Mustang ever.
“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.”
Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 10-million-plus cars sold in its 58 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook.
The world loves Mustang too. Since the last all-new Mustang was introduced in 2014, Mustang has become the world’s best-selling sports coupe every year since.
Athletic and visceral performance
The new coupe and convertible take Mustang’s athleticism to new heights, including upgraded hardware, software and tuning – plus a new Gen IV 5.0-litre V8 engine providing even greater response and performance.
“This is the most athletic and confidence-inspiring Mustang to drive yet,” said Ed Krenz, Mustang chief nameplate engineer. “Whether driving an automatic or manual transmission, thanks to Drive Modes combined with fine-tuned digital engine, suspension and steering controls, we’re now able to give drivers peak performance everywhere, from their favourite roads to their local track.”
The all-new Mustang GT features a new air induction system with a dual air intake and dual throttle body design, minimising induction losses and enabling higher flow rates.
Up to six interactive and customisable Drive Modes optimise performance capabilities across a variety of driving conditions: Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track 2 and a customisable setting with multiple available profiles, tailored to individual driver preferences. As each mode is selected, high-fidelity graphics in the digital instrument panel bring the mode to life.
Driving responsiveness has been enhanced by reduced compliance from steering wheel to tyre, while a quicker steering ratio enhances the new car’s cornering dynamics.
Rev-matching, which holds engine revs when the clutch is engaged to retain peak torque between manual gear changes is standard on GT, delivering even more precision and refinement, in what is the most track-capable Mustang ever.
The GT comes with a choice of Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. A standard Performance Pack includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport limited-slip differential for increased traction, 19-inch Brembo brakes and an Active Valve Exhaust that delivers adjustable engine sounds to suit the driving scenario. Optional MagneRide® 3 active suspension monitors conditions one thousand times per second and uses an electronically-controlled fluid to match damping resistance to the road conditions.
Driver-focused immersive digital experiences
Behind the iconic exterior silhouette of the seventh-generation Mustang lies the most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date, combining the best of past, present and future.
Most noticeable is the removal of Mustang’s traditional double-brow upper dashboard, making way for a flowing, glass-clad open centre stack, packed with technology.
Behind the new, thicker, flat-bottomed steering wheel sits a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be customised to display different designs, and new, customisable, Drive Mode-dependent clusters, fresh for the new model.
“We’re taking advantage of every pixel,” said Craig Sandvig, Ford Mustang interaction design manager. “We can be creative in showing necessary driving information and give the driver control of selecting colours, classic Mustang gauges or even a ‘calm’ screen where only minimal details are displayed.”
This digital instrument cluster flows seamlessly into a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 centre stack 4 behind the same piece of integrated glass, angled towards the driver. The ergonomic positioning of these screens provides clear visual information and easy-to-reach controls, which together create an immersive digital experience.
Mustang’s fully customisable cockpit clusters and interior ambiance start up in copper and dark colours, in a similar theme used for the Mustang Mach-E SUV, and can be entirely user-configurable. Cluster displays and ambient interior lighting can be configured in the customer’s chosen tones, while instrument clusters adapt to the Drive Mode selected. When choosing personalised Drive Mode settings, a visualisation of the car’s setup is displayed on the centre stack using Unreal Engine 3D software, a computer gaming engine that produces real-time renderings. By interacting with the touch screen, the vehicle settings can be adjusted, swiping the graphic to rotate the car virtually.
“We knew what customers wanted and designed the most digital Mustang ever while retaining the all-important driver-focused cockpit,” said Ricardo Garcia, Ford interior design manager. “Removing some of these physical buttons, such as radio and climate control, and integrating them into a digital display was popular in research with Millennials, Gen-Z and traditional Mustang drivers alike.”
The next-generation Mustang gains a fresh interior grain pattern developed especially for the brand in what is the most driver-centric Mustang cockpit ever. Mustang features leather seats and soft-touch plastics across the instrument panel and door cards, with a full leather steering wheel.
Higher series models benefit from a choice of steering wheel colour accent stitching and a unique upholstery perforation pattern across the centre console, complemented by a colour-coordinated, asymmetric accent striping on the seatbelts.
The centre console can also incorporate a wireless mobile phone charging pad with the additional space granted by moving more functions into the touch screen.
Ford’s latest SYNC 4 system is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5 which integrates seamlessly with the FordPass app. 6 Like the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, the all-new Mustang features Ford Power-Up wireless update capability.
Behind the wheel, overhead USB ports installed above the cockpit are conveniently placed for track camera devices, preventing wires from draping across the cabin.
The latest B&O 7 sound system provides crisp audio through 12 speakers and a subwoofer, including the use of Ford’s Electronic Sound Enhancement technology to amplify engine sounds directly into the cabin.
Edgier head-turning design with timeless Mustang cues, plus more customisation
The seventh-generation adds a modern edginess to a heritage-inspired design, which sets out to appeal to the broadest Mustang customer demographic yet.
The low, horizontal brow across the front of the signature three-section bonnet aligns with new LED headlamps to create a more impactful front-end, influenced by the original 1960s design and is optimised for pedestrian protection. Its sleek roofline, broad sprinting stance and shortened rear overhang are also true to the authentic proportions of the first-generation, while the widened rear haunches point to the power over the wheels in true Mustang style.
At the rear, an extended deck houses a new, edgy, signature tri-bar lighting and redesigned diffuser for improved aerodynamic balance.
For the first time, each model in the all-new Mustang line up carries its own unique front end, allowing customers to choose the look that best suits their own personalities. GT, the heart of the Mustang brand, features larger grill openings engineered to allow increased airflow, reflecting the increase in power and performance. The car’s aerodynamics are optimised further with the addition of new bonnet vents and redesigned front splitter.
*Article Source http://www.fordmedia.eu
