It's April 17, 1964, just days before the New York Universal Fair opens to the public. Among the 140 pavilions, where exhibits from 80 nations, 24 US states and 45 companies could be found, was the stage chosen by Ford to reveal to the world its new model, the Ford Mustang.
It was the beginning of a story that is still written today, having not only given rise to a whole new category of automobiles, called by the Americans as “pony cars”, but it was a commercial success above all expectations. Ford put the Mustang on sale the same day it introduced it, and received 22,000 orders on the first day alone.
Ford estimated that it would sell the Mustang at the rate of 100,000 units a year, but it took just three months to reach that mark. After 18 months, more than a million units had already been delivered. At all levels, a phenomenon.
How can this success be explained?
A mix of features starting with its design and style, which would quickly become the yardstick for future competitors, characterized by a long bonnet and a short rear — this would assume the fastback format a few years later —; the affordable price, only possible by sharing components with other Ford models; its performance, especially thanks to the optional and charismatic V8; the 70 (!) customization options, something unheard of at the time, but a common practice nowadays; and, of course, a huge advertising campaign.
The Ford Mustang has never stopped evolving. It gained new and more powerful engines and more bodies; with Carroll Shelby we would see the most “focused” Mustangs ever, ready to compete; and its success ensured that it lasted until our days—six generations ago.
Its success also reached the small and big screen. Steve McQueen would immortalize the Mustang in Bullitt, but he wouldn't be the only one. The “pony car” was a star in its own right. Gone in 60 seconds — both the original and the remake with Nicolas Cage —, appearances in the saga Fast and the Furious or Transformers, and even on the small screen — where he assumed the role of KITT in the new series by Knight Rider.
the heir
The sixth generation, currently on sale, was a significant step in Mustang's evolution as an automotive icon. If the first five generations were designed with the North American market in mind, above all — despite Mustang's global recognition —, the sixth generation was conceived under the “One Ford” strategy, with much more ambitious goals: to internationalize the “ pony car”.
Code-named S550, the sixth generation was launched in 2014 and brought as big news, in addition to a deeply revised and less evocative new styling of the past, an independent rear suspension and the 2.3 liter EcoBoost engine — the same that powers the Ford Focus RS — solutions with the greatest potential to convince the international customer both dynamically and commercially.
The bet on internationalization was won across the board. The Ford Mustang is an undeniable success and became the world's best-selling sports car in 2016, with over 150,000 units sold, with close to 30% of these being sold outside the US.
Mustang. Where does the name come from?
It is called a "pony car" and its symbol is a running horse. The name has to be associated with Mustangs, the wild horses of the USA — descended from European domesticated horses, but living in the wild — right? It's one of two theories about the origin of the Mustang name, credited to Robert J. Eggert, manager of market research at Ford at the time... and horse breeder. The other theory links the origin of the name to the P51 Mustang, the WWII fighter. This last hypothesis places John Najjar, a designer at Ford for 40 years and a self-confessed admirer of the P51, as the "father" of the name. He co-designed the futuristic 1961 Mustang I concept car with Philip T. Clark—the first time we saw the Mustang name associated with Ford.
continue success
Success did not mean rest. In 2017 Ford unveiled a revised Mustang with many new features, not only visual, but also mechanical and technological. It received a new lower front, with new LED optics, new bumpers and inside we find renewed materials. The engines comply with the most demanding standards and test protocols; won an unprecedented 10-speed automatic transmission and new safety equipment.These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Maintenance Assistance, Pre-Collision Assistance System with Pedestrian Detection, Ford SYNC 3 with an 8-inch screen and, optionally, a dashboard. 12″ LCD digital instruments.
The Mustang range
Currently, the Ford Mustang sees its range distributed over two bodies. The Fastback (coupe) and Convertible (convertible) with two engines: the 2.3 EcoBoost with 290 hp, the 5.0 Ti-VCT V8 with 450 hp — the Ford Mustang Bullitt gets a 460 hp variant of the same V8. Two transmissions are also available, a six-speed manual and the aforementioned and unprecedented 10-speed automatic.
THE Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost it is available from €54,355 with a manual transmission and €57,015 with an automatic transmission. If we choose the Mustang Convertible, these values amount to 56,780 euros and 62,010 euros, respectively.
THE Ford Mustang 5.0 Ti-VCT V8 it is available from 94 750 euros with manual transmission and 95 870 euros with automatic transmission. As a Convertible, the values rise to €100,205 and €101,550, respectively.
THE Ford Mustang Bullitt is a limited-edition tribute to Steve McQueen's 1968 eponymous film, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Available in the Dark Highland Green color, in allusion to the Mustang GT Fastback from the movie, it comes with more exclusive details.
We have to mention the five-arm 19-inch wheels, the red Brembo calipers, or the absence of Ford symbols — like the car in the movie. Also inside, we see Recaro sports seats — the seams of the seats, center console and dashboard trim adopt the body color —; and in direct allusion to the film, the box's handle is a white ball.
In addition to the exclusive colors, the Ford Mustang Bullitt does not have symbols that identify the brand, as the model used in the film, it features exclusive wheels with five arms and 19″, Brembo brake calipers in red and a fake fuel cap.
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