Ford is taking its Mustang brand global with the release of the 2015 edition of the iconic vehicle. The Detroit automaker unveiled the freshly redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang at a glitzy event in New York that also marked the 50th anniversary of the vehicle’s initial launch back at the 1964 World Fair. The company held similar rollouts in Shanghai, Sydney and Barcelona as part of an unfolding effort to market the brand on a global scale.
New Look, Familiar Feel
The newly redesigned 2015 Mustang is markedly lower and wider than current generation models. But, the car still retains the long sculpted snout, the distinctive forward-leaning grill, the sloping roof and the stubby rear deck that have defined the Mustang’s exterior profile for over five decades. For the 2015 edition, Ford has tweaked the car’s trademark taillights and added more space to the interior so that drivers have a little more hip and shoulder space.
New Suspension System
Ford’s 2015 Mustang redesign includes more than just sheet-metal changes. The new models feature a brand new suspension system and engine changes as well. For the first time ever, Ford has decided to do away with its old live axle configuration and has instead introduced separate front and rear suspension systems. The 2015 Ford Mustang convertible and standard hardtops will all feature a double-ball joint strut suspension that Ford claims will boost performance and stability compared to the company’s existing Mustang lineup.
Engine and Transmission Options
As part of the 2015 Mustang redesign, Ford has also boosted the car’s power plant quite substantially. The 2015 edition of the Mustang will be available with three engine choices. The base level model is a 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine. At the mid-range, Ford will offer a 420-horsepower, 5-liter V8 configuration, while the performance Mustang will pack a massive 5-liter V8 engine with close to 450-horsepower and a tire-burning 390-pounds-feet of torque. In keeping with its international thrust, Ford will also introduce a four-cylinder, 2.3-liter, 305-horsepower turbocharged engines that will offer significantly better gas mileage compared to the standard vehicles.
All three of the new Mustangs will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The company will also make automatic transmissions available as an option on all three vehicles. For the moment, at least, there’s no word on whether the carmaker will introduce an all-wheel drive version of the 2015 Mustang. But, company executives at the 2015 Mustang reveal did not rule out that possibility entirely.
Big Stakes
Ford’s redesigned Mustang comes at a time when the company is struggling to recapture some of the car’s old glory and market success. Ford has sold over 9 million Mustangs since the car was first introduced five decades ago. However, in recent times, sales of the car have been slipping a little. In 2013, for instance, Ford expects to sell just 80,000 Mustangs, compared to well more than 100,000 vehicles in previous years. The Mustang has also been losing market share in the pony car market to rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally is betting that the car’s status as an American pop culture icon, combined with its new powertrain and engine options, will rekindle market interest in the Mustang. Mulally is also betting that the car’s affordability will contribute to its success in a big way as well. The new Ford Mustangs are expected to start shipping sometime in the first half of 2014.
