The usual stereotype received by muscle cars is that they are fast and loud on straights but hopeless in terms of handling. Well, that perception is set to be changed with the debut of the new Ford Mustang, the iconic muscle car from the Blue Oval. The new “Stang” is set to redefine the American muscle car category like no other.
The Pony Car has been redesigned with edgier aesthetics while retaining the majority of the silhouette of the previous Mustang. Big changes on the front were observed where the lights on the front grill from the previous Mustang have been taken away and replaced with the trapezoidal grille. Thankfully the new Mustang was spared from the rather controversial “Aston Martin” nose which was implemented into many of the current Ford passenger cars. Another notable design is the front and rear LED “gills”. Ford has also overhauled the interior with modern lines and better quality materials. Ford has also fitted the MyTouch infotainment system into the Mustang for the first time. Safety features added include adaptive cruise control and available Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert.
Three engines will be introduced, the usual 5.0L V8, 3.7 V6, and the all new 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The latter is capable of 305 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. On the transmission side, Ford retained the Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox from the previous generation, complemented with a 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.
But the biggest changes on the new Mustang is the inclusion of independent rear suspension, ditching the live axle suspension from the old Mustang. The front suspension is a new double-ball joint MacPherson strut system, complementing the new independent rear suspension which will enhance the handling dynamics in the new Mustang. It has also been given bigger brakes for stronger stopping power.
No pricing information was revealed but the new “Stang” is scheduled to be out by end of 2014. This will also be Ford’s first Mustang to be sold internationally. Should there be a market for an American muscle car in overseas markets like Malaysia, the right hand drive with 2.3L EcoBoost engine would actually make sense here. Auto ConneXion, please?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4YzdTldKvoE
