The reveal of the all-new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang is just around the corner. Here’s what we know so far, including the all-important fact the V8 engine will survive…
Ford Motor Company has confirmed it plans to reveal the new Mustang on 14 September 2022, with the seventh generation of the famed pony car – which traces its roots all the way back to 1964 – set to make its global debut at the Detroit Auto Show.
“Mustang is the world’s best-selling sports car because there’s one for everyone – from an EcoBoost convertible to 5.0-litre V8 GT fastback coupé,” said Jim Farley, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company.
“Now it’s time to for a new stampede of owners, fans and employees to welcome the next chapter in Mustang’s legacy – the seventh-generation, which will be our best yet.”
Those are fighting words! So, what do we know so far? Despite the fact the unveiling is just around the corner, official information on the so-called S650 model is fairly thin on the ground. Still, there are a few things worth digging into. Let’s dive in…
The new Ford Mustang’s powertrain
Fans of displacement will be glad to hear the new Mustang will reportedly retain a version of the Blue Oval brand’s naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine. In fact, the Dearborn-based firm has just released a 16-second teaser clip giving us a listen to the V8. No output details are available just yet.
In addition, we can expect an updated version of the EcoBoost-branded turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine to carry over. Farley has furthermore confirmed a 6-speed manual gearbox will again be offered (market dependent, of course), while the current 10-speed automatic will surely also continue to be available.
From what we understand, a hybrid powertrain might be added to the Mustang range (though likely only at a later date), increasing peak outputs and transforming the rear-wheel-drive pony car into an all-wheel-drive vehicle courtesy of a front-mounted electric motor. Considering the existence of the Mustang Mach-E, a fully electric version of the Mustang is not out of the question (though, again, is likely to follow further down the line).
What about the new Mustang’s styling?
At the start of 2022, we published spy shots of the upcoming Mustang, before Ford released a few images of its own. The photographs suggest the vehicle won’t be subjected to a radical redesign, though its front-end appears a little more angular. Expect a suitably muscular bonnet, a fresh bumper and redesigned headlights. The spy shots also suggest the new Mustang will gain larger air dams at the corners of the lower grille.
Round back, we can expect a new rear bumper design, with the prototype that was spotted testing featuring a familiar taillight design with a trio of vertical lines. We’ve yet to have any sort of look at the new Mustang’s cabin, though we wouldn’t think Ford would make too much of a design leap here, either. More retro-inspired cues, perhaps?
The Mustang’s (short) modern history in South Africa
Back in August 2014, Ford announced its engineers had finished construction of the very first right-hand-drive sixth-generation Mustang, confirming the production version would be exported to more than 25 right-hand-drive markets, including South Africa.
In December of the following year, the Mustang officially launched locally, with the range comprising six derivatives. There were fastback and convertible body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and 4-cylinder and V8 engines. In July 2019, the refreshed Mustang arrived, with the line-up gaining Bullitt special edition. The Mach 1 followed in 2021, before the California Special arrived in 2022.
The outgoing Mustang range in South Africa – representing the only true passenger car from Ford still offered locally – currently comprises just three variants, all powered by the V8 engine: a fastback, a convertible and the aforementioned California Special.
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