2015 Ford Mustang: First Look
Competes with: Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Looks like: Somewhere between the current Mustang and the Ford Evos concept car
Drivetrain: 300-plus hp, 3.7-liter V-6; 305-plus hp, turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder; 420-plus hp, 5.0-liter V-8; six-speed manual or automatic transmission
Hits dealerships: 2014
It’s an event that happens maybe once a decade, if we’re lucky: Ford Motor Co. decides to update its iconic pony car for a new generation. The company’s done just that with the unveiling of the 2015 Mustang, with retro sheet metal and styling cues that don’t deviate much from the current version. Ford maintains that despite the similar looks, major revisions to everything under the curvy body mean that the new Mustang can be considered an all-new car.
Styling is very obviously evolutionary, and it must be said that pictures do not do the new Mustang justice — park the two cars next to each other and the new one looks wider, sleeker and more sculpted. The roofline is also different, looking even more like the original 1965 fastback than the previous car, which seemed to take more of its cues from the 1968 revision. The only possible issue: the front end looks too much like the rest of the Ford lineup in which every single car is now starting to resemble every other Ford. There’s too much Taurus and Fusion in the nose, beefed up for Mustang duty but similar nonetheless. The car’s best angle is the rear three-quarter view, which shows off a slanted rear end and new signature tri-bar taillights.
Powertrain options grow from two to three with the addition of a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine similar to the one debuting in the Lincoln MKC crossover. It was originally slated to be the entry-level engine, replacing the 3.7-liter V-6, but it’s an expensive motor given its technology. Since it will have just a little more horsepower than the V-6 but make considerably more torque, it has become the midrange engine option. The high- end Mustang still uses an optional 5.0-liter V-8 engine, making more than 420 horsepower through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The standard engine is still the 3.7-liter V-6, which will make more than 300 hp, according to Ford.
Inside, the retro-inspired look continues with round vents, a dual-binnacle dashboard just like the original ’65 and toggle switches for controlling the electrically adjustable steering and powertrain response. Two large round analog gauges face the driver, just as before, featuring a retro-inspired font, just as before. Ancillary round gauges now appear between air conditioning vents on the dashboard as well.
The Mustang also gets the full Ford technology treatment, with a touch-screen located fairly low in the center console for easy reach; the company’s Sync system with MyFord Touch is standard. Despite featuring the troubled system, the Mustang retains actual buttons and switches for its controls, a move we applaud. Ford is introducing several other features as well, such as push- button start, blind spot warning detection, Track Apps to monitor performance and more.
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