By Otsile Kadiege

One of the Blue Oval’s best-selling cars and one of the world’s most popular sports cars is the Ford Mustang. The  seventh-generation Mustang has landed in SA and it recently made its debut at the 2024 Festival of Motoring. The newcomer ushers in a more edgier design, a modish cabin brimming with new technologies, an upgraded chassis and extensively upgraded powertrains to list a few.

Evolutionary exterior design

The new Mustang gets an edgier exterior design with classic Mustang cues. Its low, horizontal brow across the front emphasizes overall frontal width, while the upper grille design shape is influenced by the original 1960s design. The Tri-Bar LED headlamps continue the Mustang’s classic lighting signature.

Each model in the Mustang lineup carries its own unique front end. GT is differentiated from EcoBoost models by larger, more aggressive grille openings, engineered to allow increased airflow, reflecting the increase in power and performance. The car’s aerodynamics are optimized further with the addition of new hood vents and redesigned front splitter.

It also features a sleek roofline, broad sprinting stance, shortened rear overhang and widened rear haunches. The roofline is optimized for driver entry and exit without removing their helmet on the track, and an extended rear deck houses a new crisp signature tri-bar lighting and redesigned diffuser for improved aerodynamic balance in the rear.

The all-new Mustang launches with 11 exterior color options including two new shades, Vapor Blue and Yellow Splash, complemented by new stripe colors and designs. Customers also can choose from three Brembo brake caliper color options: Black, Red and Grabber Blue, plus an all-new lineup of alloy wheels, ranging from 17-inch standard size on base models to 19-inch for GT with optional 20-inch alloy wheels.

Fighter jet inspired interior

Behind the chiseled exterior silhouette of the seventh-generation Mustang lies the most technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit of any Mustang to date. The fighter jet-inspired cockpit offers the driver two flowing and curved displays measuring 12.4-inches for the digital instrument cluster and a massive 13.2-inches for the touch display. The latter displays the automaker’s new SYNC4 infotainment system whilst the digital cluster can be customized to display different animated designs and new drive-mode dependent visuals.

As standard, the Mustang comes with cloth interior featuring all-cloth seats with optional Micro Suede vinyl inserts and black seat belts, while Premium models benefit from upgraded wrapped and accent stitched across the instrument panel and door trim. EcoBoost models feature Ford’s ‘ActiveX’ synthetic leather upholstery with multiple color options, while GT models gain leather seat inserts. The GT Performance pack is available with optional Recaro seats.

Higher series models offer an upgraded, full-leather steering wheel, as well as a choice of color accent stitching and a unique upholstery perforation across the seat inserts, complemented by color-coordinated, asymmetric accent striping on the seat belts. Other interior highlights include a B&O Sound System and wireless charging.

Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies

The new Mustang comes equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360 features, including Speed Sign Recognition, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering Assist, Evasive Steer Assist and Reverse Brake Assist. Another key feature is Active Pothole Mitigation, included with the Performance Package, which continually monitors suspension, body, steering and braking input and adjusts suspension response accordingly.

Performance

The Mustang GT is powered by an advanced naturally aspirated 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine. This fourth-generation engine delivers the most power of any Mustang GT to date thanks to an innovative dual air intake box and dual throttle body design, which, according to Ford, will help minimise induction loss by enabling higher air flow rates. It produces peak power of 328kW matched a maximum torque output of 540Nm.

The new Mustang now enables drivers to quickly adjust steering effort, engine response, and transmission and electronic stability control settings through six available Drive Modes to create the perfect Mustang at any time. These are Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track plus a customizable setting with up to six individual profiles, tailored to the driver’s view ahead of them.

In South Africa, the Mustang GT comes standard with the Performance Pack, which adds a host of track-focused features, including a front suspension tower brace, Torsen® limited slip differential, MagneRide active suspension, wider rear wheels and tyres, along with larger 390mm front and 355mm rear Brembo brakes. Furthermore, the Performance Pack adds brake ducts for enhanced cooling and a standard auxiliary engine oil cooler. It is also equipped with an active valve performance exhaust system that allows the driver to select how quiet or raucous they want the exhaust sound to be.

Pricing and warranty

Mustang GT Fastback 5.0L V8 10AT – R1,300,000

Included as standard is a four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first. In addition, over the counter parts (OTC) and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two-year/unlimited distance.

The Recommended Retail Price above of the Mustang GT Fastback 5.0 V8 10AT is inclusive of a Ford Optional Service Plan. Customers have the option of purchasing an extended Ford Protect Service or Maintenance plan upgrade at the dealership. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.