2024 Ford Mustang First Look: Photos and Full Details on the New Pony C From MotorTrend Magazine.
Creating the 2024 Mustang, Ford pulled a gutsy and potentially historic move. The seventh-generation Mustang is likely the last for the gas-snorting pony car, but the fact it’s purely gas-snorting at all is something of a surprise. Chevrolet is rumored to be sunsetting the Camaro as we know it ahead of an electric replacement in 2024; Dodge has confirmed its Challenger and Charger will around the same time offer electric propulsion. A passion project in the truest sense, the 2024 Mustang team needed to justify its rationale for an internalcombustion muscle car at every turn, even with management ultimately supporting its moves. After all, Ford is in the throes of embracing electric trucks and SUVs. Mustang enthusiasts—who’ve purchased about 10 million of the cars since production began in 1964—should rejoice in the fact Ford is even doing this at a time when its primary competitors are exiting the gas-powered muscle car segment and sales of coupes and convertibles continue to decline generally while cars (not SUVs and trucks) themselves are becoming an endangered species boxed out by ever-more-popular high-riding vehicles. Think about it: The Mustang, even today, is the only car Ford sells in North America. The Mustang Mach-E, an electric crossover, already outsells the traditional Mustang coupe.
When the 2024 Ford Mustang goes on sale early next summer, consumers will still be able to choose between a coupe and a convertible, and between a base model with an EcoBoost four-cylinder or a more powerful GT with a V-8 that also comes with a manual transmission. Over a lengthy life cycle, we expect to see a rollout of heritage names such as Boss, Bullitt, and Mach 1. “There is certainly some space within this platform architecture and powertrains to do some more,” Mustang chief nameplate engineer Ed Krenz says.
There are two new paint colors among the 11 offered: Yellow Splash and Vapor Blue, as well as new colors for stripes, Brembo brake calipers, and seat belts. A number of appearance packages allow for further customization of the look. Wheels range in size from standard 17-inch to 19-inch on the GT, with optional 20-inchers Interior design manager Ricardo Garcia says it was time to shake up the interior, and he created full-scale foam bucks to elicit customer feedback on the ideas burbling up from the team, which, during a three-year period, evolved into the new, more open cockpit.
The new flat-bottom steering wheel is standard across all trims and is heftier; it’s a joy to hold. The Sync4-powered infotainment system has fewer physical buttons because more functions are controlled via the screen. And about those screens: They’re a real departure for Mustang, with a 12.4-inch display directly in front of the driver and 13.2-inch center screen angled toward the driver, both under a single pane of glass in most trims. Graphics are crisp and plentiful, and they change with the drive mode selected. They are also highly customizable and nostalgic—dig into the menu for the Fox Body (late ’80s-, early ’90s-era Mustang) faux analog dials and roll down memory lane.
Finally, there is media storage with a flat wireless charging pad, USB ports, and an angled slot for a phone. The upgraded seats come in cloth or synthetic or real leather, and the cabin has lasergrained trim that replicates carbon fiber. The top-end sound system is Bang & Olufsen, and the Mustang is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, with Amazon Alexa built in for voice commands.
The 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine is on its fourth upgrade and is also found in the 2022 Ford F-150 pickup with cylinder deactivation capability for better fuel economy. Engineers did not want that fuelsaving system for the Mustang because it makes the engine too tall, compromising packaging and hood height, and it reduces the engine redline. For the Mustang, the upgraded V-8 has a new steel oil pan and a dual air-intake box. The twin throttle-body cold-air intake will allow twice the airflow to create the most powerful GT to date. That means it exceeds the today’s 450 hp and 420 lb-ft. The car still has active exhaust with the Mustang’s signature sound but adds a quiet mode to keep your neighbors happy. GT customers get a Getrag sixspeed manual transmission with rev matching, or they can opt for the improved 10-speed automatic.
There are a couple unique features to delight buyers, starting with the new electronic drift brake developed with the help of professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. It normally behaves like a regular electric parking brake until you activate the “drift brake” button in Track mode, which turns traction off (you can choose traction off or advanced traction off). Then pulling on this brake causes the ABS module to hydraulically actuate the rear brakes only, in proportion to brake-handle motion. Gittin insisted it provide an instant and effortless locking, and the hydraulic actuation is vastly quicker than the electric motor that locks the separate parking-brake caliper. The drift brake comes with the Performance pack on all Mustang models. Easter egg: The Track apps icon is the Grattan Raceway track in Michigan where a lot of the engineering work was done.
Another new feature: The key fob not only starts the car—it can rev it. A party trick for teenagers and those who still think they are teenagers, it is only available with the automatic transmission (to which engine stop/start is limited)
