Quintessentially Mustang: 50 years of inspiration
Over the last five years or so, the super luxury car industry has become addicted to, and forced by tighter regulations that aim towards downsizing their design inputs. To this end, small capacity turbocharged engines are all the rage these days for their ability to blend respectable performance with reduced fuel consumption.
The piece of good news to car freaks with obsession for adrenalin pumping machine is that Ford has taken the plunge with its new, built-for-the-world Mustang Limited Edition. Slotting the EcoBoost engine underneath the 5.0-litre V8 in the flagship GT, THE American car maker officially unveiled it to world in Los Angeles, California, the United States of America.
The 50 Year Limited Edition builds on the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang GT fastback and the special-edition Mustang comes standard with nearly every available option; the only choice customers have to make is colour as well as the transmission
Fifty years after debuting one of the world’s most popular cars, Ford is marking the milestone by revealing a Mustang to honour five decades of the model heritage, only 1,964 examples of this particular limited batch will be built.
Described by industry experts as a showpiece meant to be drive“ Mustang fans love to drive their car, but while it is not yet clear as to for how long it would take to have it in Nigeria, newcomers could be younger buyers who want a smaller engine and an automatic transmission. The average age of Mustang buyers is 48, but Ford is trying to attract younger buyers with its emphasis on fuel economy and technology, said Melanie Banker, Mustang marketing manager.
For Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company “When Mustang was approved for development more than 50 years ago, I don’t think anyone imagined it would spawn such a dedicated base of fans around the world and still be in production today. The Mustang was first shown to the public at the 1964 World’s Fair to re-create that historic event for today’s Mustang enthusiasts.”
Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance pack, the 50 Year Limited Edition is designed to provide customers with outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly recognizable on the road. The only options are the choice of two exclusive colours and a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Parading engine choices of 4-cylinder, V6 and a throaty V8 that will entice a wider range of buyers; all of the specifications put out at least 300 horsepower and feature Mustang’s first independent rear suspension standard across the lineup, the luxury sports car is packed with more technology to appeal to purists and newcomers alike.
Viewed from outside, the Chrome bezels surrounding the base of each of the three tail lamp blades take inspiration from the original 1962 design proposal by Gale Halderman that became the basis for the production model that debuted in 1964.
The three individual lamps on each side of that design were combined into a single tri-bar lamp cluster for production, but the original concept has returned five decades on. The current Mustang will be the only 2015 model with the large faux gas cap badge on the rear fascia, with 50 Years added to the GT designation.
Another visual element that will not be found on any other Mustang is the louvered rear quarter-windows. Unlike the external louvers on the quarter-windows of the 1965 fastback, the new windows are comprised of layered sheets of glass built with a construction technique uniquely developed for this car.
From behind the wheel, drivers will know they are driving a very special car. The aluminum trim panel that spans the double-brow instrument panel gets an axel spin finish different from other 2015 Mustangs, plus a special serialized 50 Year Limited Edition badge on the passenger side. Each badge will be individually etched at Flat Rock Assembly Plant where Mustang is built.
The limited-edition is the only 2015 Mustang with a cashmere-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The stitching is also used on the instrument panel, shifter boot, center armrest, door inserts and seats. Mustang seats feature exclusive two-tone cashmere and black leather upholstery, and the Mustang 50 Year logo on the seat backs.
For the purposes of exclusivity, Limited-edition cars will be equipped with loop-carpet floor mats with cashmere stitching and suede binding not available on other Mustangs.“The new Mustang blends a muscular, contemporary shape with design cues that define it as quintessentially Mustang,” said Moray Callum, Ford vice president of design.
MIKE OCHONMA