The Ford Mustang has been the best-selling sportscar around the globe for a number of years now, so how does the brand go about making sure it stays relevant? It releases special editions, and that’s just what the California Special is – a limited-run version of the Five Point O V8 ‘Stang.
What’s Special about the Mustang California?
California Special features a rear wing, 19-inch wheels and GT/CS badging.
The Mustang California Special is a throwback to the late ‘Sixties when Ford dealers in the Golden State convinced the Blue Oval to supply them with Mustangs that had a distinctive design and look. The modern California Special follows a similar formula by offering a few unique design touches without altering the mechanics, suspension or performance of the Mustang.
The unique item that is easiest to spot is the newcomer’s rear wing. Ford calls this a performance wing, but there isn’t much evidence that it’s anything more than a cosmetic addendum… perhaps it has some or other aerodynamic effect, who knows? The air-intake slots on the side harp back to those Californian “designer” variants and add a bit of extra “muscle” to the physique of the American muscle car.
Other minor touches include 19-inch (matte) wheels and GT/CS badging dotted around the exterior. The classic Pony badge on the rear is also replaced with a GT/CS badge.
As for the interior, GT/CS badging has been placed on the seats (which also feature recycled polyester on the inserts) and dashboard.
How does the Mustang rank these days?
A GT Cruiser with no aspirations of trying to be a track-day toy.
Let’s be honest, the current-gen Mustang is about 7 years old now, which is a veritable lifetime in the fast-developing automotive world. Throughout those years, the Mustang has proved a best-seller for the brand and, as we now know, if it’s unlikely to make a profit in the Republic, Ford isn’t interested in selling it here (RIP all ST models). The Mustang, then, is obviously popular, but for what reason?
I think it boils down to a combination of a classic emblem etched on the front of a modern design that still exudes vein-popping American muscle. Top that with a burly naturally-aspirated V8 and a price tag that seems a bargain compared to all competitors you can think of and you’re on a winning wicket with Kagiso Rabada steaming in, bowling at 150 kph and swinging the ball like one would a cat (by its tail) in a large room – um, you get the picture, right?
The Mustang makes no bones about what it is. And that is a GT cruiser with a tantalising exhaust note that draws a crowd everywhere it goes. It’s not a sportscar that you dream about lapping a circuit with or whipping through a tight mountain pass. It’s all about enjoying the drive, taking in the scenery and, occasionally, flattening the loud pedal to listen to the deep and bassy V8 echo through the landscape. In other words, sheer road-trip bliss.
Is The Mustang California still modern inside?
The SA -pec California Special only comes as a 10-speed automatic.
The interior of the Mustang has always been a topic of debate, at least among us professional car critics. On the one hand, it feels a bit plasticky in areas and the switchgear doesn’t offer up the kind of premium feel that you might expect to experience in a R1-million car, but its standard equipment list is significantly longer than those of the competition, which you usually need to spec-up before you’ll be completely satisfied.
I also find some of the settings a little frustrating to use, such as scrolling through the multiple drive modes – you can only scroll in one direction. That means flicking the drive-mode toggle multiple times to get to the mode you want, which seems so, well, inelegant. Multiple USB ports are available in the cabin (I counted 3), but there’s no wireless charger, which means that while it has Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard, there is no wireless option for those apps.
As for passenger comfort and practicality, I was surprised by just how big the boot was in the Mustang; we were able to stack 2 large duffel bags, 2 backpacks and a crash helmet in the boot… and there was room left to spare.
The front seats are acceptably comfortable, although it’s strange that they are electrically adjustable fore and aft, but, if you want to move the seat up or down, you have to use a manual lever. The counterargument for that is that it’s probably easier to fold the seats forward with a manual lever in order to give people access to the rear seats – ah, that’s the classic downside to owning a coupe, right there!
Can I buy a Mustang California Special?
All 100 units have already been snatched up.
Ford South Africa was able to bring 100 units into the country, all of them fitted with the 10-speed automatic transmission (yes, in case you were wondering, it’s the same one the Ranger and Everet use). It’s not a ‘box I’ve ever gelled with, at least in the Mustang (it works perfectly well in Ranger and Everest), because I find it hunts around too much for my liking, even though it’s quite capable of shifting multiple gears at a time – if it sees fit. Even when you engage the paddles to shift manually it becomes a bit of a chore to keep flapping the paddle and you still never really feel like you’re in the right gear. The ‘box seems more suited to cruising rather than being coerced to exact short bursts of acceleration.
Back to buying a California. According to Ford, it could easily have sold more than the 100 allocated units, as it could have done with both the Bullitt and Mach 1, but the brand wanted to keep it exclusive and they are all already accounted for.
Ford Mustang California Special price and after-sales
Ford Mustang California Special – R1 154 900
The Ford Mustang California Special is sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4 years’ roadside assistance and a 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.
Summary
A great car for getting the weekend road trip off to an exciting start.
The Mustang California Special is another cool take on the Mustang nameplate and I’m positive that fans will love it. Its unique look is both distinctive and desirable, which is, of course, complemented by a thumping big naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 under the bonnet (savour it while it’s still around, folks). It’s the type of car that has to be experienced to understand the attraction. You will find other sportscars that are more engaging to drive, offer more luxury and are, ultimately, faster, but none that draw as much attention or instils such a generously visceral feeling when you thump the loud pedal and hurtle off into the sunset while listening to The Mamas & the Papas’ California Dreamin’.
