Ford Motors Co. has unveiled its sixth-generation Mustang on Wednesday as part of its goal to expand its global sales.
Nearly five decades after the first Mustang was introduced at the New York World’s Fair, Ford has decided to introduce the 2015 Mustang and will be showcasing it during events in different key cities worldwide beginning Thursday.
Mark Fields, Fords COO, told L.A Times, “Every car company has a vehicle that strikes to the heart and soul of the company, and for us that is the Mustang.”
Anybody who sees the car will definitely know that it is Mustang, because even if there are modifications, the styling is pretty much reminiscent of the original model.
“When you see it, you know it has the bloodlines of a Mustang but is designed for the 21st century,” said Fields.
Ford’s challenge in making the sixth generation Mustang is to credit the 50-year old Mustang while incorporating modern engines, technology, and styling.
The new sports car will offer three engine choices: a base model of 3.7-liter V6 with 270 pound-feet of torque and no less than 300 horsepower, a turbo-charged four cylinder that will have similar horsepower but better fuel economy and more torque, and a performance Mustang that will have a 5.0-liter V8 with 390 pound-feet of torque and 420 horsepower that is used in the current GT model.
The exterior look will be revamped to have a shark nose grill leaning forward to give an impression of movement and aggression. The trademark tri-bar tail lamps is now with in a three-dimensional configuration that provides depth to the rear.
Its interior will have a bigger cabin to give space for passengers and a trunk compartment that can encase a couple of golf bags.
Ford Motors, through this initiative, aims to regain some of Mustang’s past fame that slowly vanished from the hundreds of thousands in the 1960s to less than 80,000 this year.
“Ford management team understands that Mustang is a treasure, a true icon. It’s a piece of Americana that has global appeal,” said John Krafcik, a former Ford executive who now heads Hyundai Motor America.
