Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)‘s Mustang has been a hit with muscle car fanatics over the decades and has appeared in thousands of movies, television shows, and games. For that reason we shouldn’t be surprised that Ford will be making a splash for the Mustang’s 50th birthday next April — including being a hero car in a Need for Speed movie. Its birthday also coincides with what is shaping up to be the most important redesign in the Mustang’s history.
At a time when Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is going global with its vehicle lineup, the Mustang doesn’t attract consumers outside the U.S. — forcing a drastic and historic design change. Will the redesign be enough to save the iconic muscle car, or will it be the cause of its ultimate demise?
An artist rendering of a 2015 Ford Mustang. Courtesy of TopSpeed.
Our friends over at TopSpeed just released a rendering of what the 2015 could look like based on some spy photos. This is one of the freshest renderings out there and could be close to what the modern Mustang will look like. It’s also possible Ford’s designers will go more aggressive on the front end, as pictured here.
When the redesigned Mustang is finally revealed — Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has kept its new look very secretive — it will be a night-and-day difference from the retro style we see today. Ford is targeting a different and younger Generation-Y consumer, as well as a fuel-conscious international consumer, and is said to based on the Evos concept vehicle.
Many Mustang owners have expressed their displeasure after viewing the Evos concept, but Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has been delivering hit after hit with its vehicle designs based on the concept in recent years — this should be no different. Ford needs the 2015 redesign to hit its mark and revive the slipping Mustang sales.
2013 is projected from sales through May. Information from Automotive News DataCenter.
2015 Mustang specs
Fans of the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout have nothing to fear, as that will remain. Die-hard mustang enthusiasts will cheer as they have long awaited to see the Mustang get its independent rear suspension, which the Camaro and Challenger already have.
What’s intriguing about the redesigned pony car will be its engine options. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s EcoBoost engines have been selling extremely well in other models and according to Car and Driver, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will also be available in the U.S. for the younger consumers who are more interested in fuel efficiency than in raw horsepower. That sound you just heard was Mustang enthusiasts throwing their keyboards out the window at the idea of a Mustang with an EcoBoost engine.
