In Nice Shape for a 50-year old

By Bill McLauchlan

Wouldn’t it be something if all we 50-somethings could look as good as the all-new 2015 Mustang that made it debut today?

Try as we might to shed a few strategic pounds here, make a cosmetic nip and tuck there, plug a bald spot with a timely transplant or hit the gym to tone the old chassis, we’ll never do as good a job of it as Ford has done with this sixth-generation version. There’s an all-new shape, yes, yet it’s still unmistakably Mustang.

And, for the first time ever, today’s global roll-out in six cities on four continents brings the hugely popular Mustang to a wider array of buyers in Europe and Asia.

Commenting on the clean-sheet design of the newcomer, Moray Callum, Ford executive director, design, The Americas, said: “You only get one chance to make a first impression and when you see this car you immediately see a Mustang strong and true.”

Photos: Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.

And there’s a lot to like. The long sculpted hood and short rear deck evoke memories of the original mid-60s Ponycar but with a contemporary execution. A lower, wider stance, reduced roof height, plus wider rear fenders and track give it a solid, down-to-earth feel. The Fastback looks sleeker thanks to a more steeply raked windshield and rear glass. Distinctive tail lamps with sequential turn signals adorn the rear and a modern treatment of the traditional Mustang front end and grille round out the external picture.

Under that long hood, three engines now offer a broader power choice: a more powerful 5.0-litre V8 upgraded with internal improvements to produce over 420 horsepower; a 3.7-litre V6 putting out at least 300 hp; and an all-new fuel-efficient 2.3-litre Ecoboost unit makes use of a turbocharger to deliver the performance Mustang drivers expect – with output projected at more than 305 hp.

Smoother shifts come via an updated manual gearbox while a reworked automatic transmission gets new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Underpinning it all are totally new front and rear suspension layouts, bringing the expected benefits in handling, steering and ride quality. An added new attraction is something that will appeal to any driver’s youthful exuberance. The feeling of freedom and confidence instilled by the new running gear can be amplified by a feature to control how the Mustang behaves. On a twisty back road (or a weekend track day if you really like to wring it out), with available Selectable Drive Modes, the driver can tap toggle switches on the centre console to quickly adjust steering effort, throttle response, sharpen transmission shifts and assist stability control settings to create just the right ride to suit the moment.

Each 2015 Mustang has a badge on the instrument panel
that includes the galloping Pony logo and the words
"Mustang – Since 1964" to mark its 50th birthday.

For those less adventurous souls (dare we say older?) who just want to sit back and relax for the daily drive there are equally satisfying developments. Convertible drivers will appreciate a quieter cabin and more upscale air provided by a standard multi-layer insulated cloth top. Both body styles benefit from the new rear suspension and added body width that bring improved shoulder and hip room for passengers, and a more usefully shaped trunk space. Large, clear instrumentation puts critical information right in front of the driver in the roomier cabin, while improved ergonomics and tactile switches and knobs offer better control – all attributes that can help out tired old eyes and arthritis-impaired hands.

And, of course, the 2015 Mustang brings along many of Ford’s innovative technologies for enhanced information control and connectivity. Such as SYNC, MyKey, available Track Apps, MyColor gauges, the new Shaker Pro audio system and several driver-assist features including blind-spot information and adaptive cruise control.

“From day one, we knew if we were going to build a new Mustang, we had to do it right,” said Dave Pericak, chief engineer. “We built a new Mustang from the ground up that is quicker, better-looking, more refined and more efficient, without losing any of the raw appeal that people have associated with the Mustang for half a century.” I doubt any of us could make a similar claim about ourselves.