New Seventh Generation Ford Mustang

Nearly six decades from its inception, the all-new seventh generation 2024 Ford Mustang may be the best Mustang yet and may also be the last of the V8s.

 

The all-new seventh generation Mustang S650 is here, and it is the meatiest muscle car that Ford has ever produced. The body work is entirely new as is the stylish and upgraded interior. The new "Stang" is offered in both hardtop and convertible versions. The base model has retained the standard 2.3-liter Turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that boasts 315 horsepower. A 5.0-liter Coyote V8 ups the ante in the GT version with 480 horses, and Ford says both have been heavily revised to offer more power.

 

The look of this pony is meaner than ever. The GT variant has a more sinister "growl-inspired" aggressive visage and Ford tells us the 5.0-liter V8 is the most powerful naturally aspirated GT model they have ever offered. The V8's reversed airbox and throttle body are said to increase airflow. While the entry level S650 comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the GT arrives with a standard six-speed manual gearbox that matches engine revs as you shift gears.

 

A Performance Pack is offered on both models bringing you race-ready goodies such as a Torson limited slip differential, a strut tower brace, a MagneRide active-dampening suspension, excellent larger Brembo brakes, and more aggressive and wider wheels shod in premium Pirelli rubber. There's also a very cool electronic "drift brake" function that looks like a standard emergency brake lever but when engaged, allows drivers to become drift masters and promises to get them into big trouble as they slide around corners.

 

An all-new top-of-the-line Dark Horse Mustang is completely track-focused, bringing burnouts to the masses with even more power at 500 ponies and is available with either the 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual. Another interesting feature is called "Remote Rev." This offers the ability to use your keyfob to remotely start and rev your Mustang. This was no doubt designed to scare old ladies in parking lots when the muscle car suddenly starts up and revs, making thunderous roars from its throaty exhaust pipes.

 

While the world turns toward all-electric travel, the Mustang continues to be a maverick, rebelling against silent eco-friendly travel with pure American, gas-guzzling hellacious racket. The new Mustang arrives standard with its turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That is five more horses than the previous "Stang." All of the EcoBoost cars receive the 10-speed automatic tranny.

 

Stepping up to the mighty GT model gets you the last generation of the faithful 5.0-liter Coyote V8 and the six-speed manual setup is standard. The seventh generation Mustang V8 brings you 30 more horses than last year's model with a whopping 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Ford offers an optional performance exhaust system for the GT that boosts the performance up to a magnificent 486-hp and 481 pound-feet of torque. Can't you just hear those pipes burble. Tim Allen would be pleased.

 

Then there's the ultimate statement in bad boy behavior in the Dark Horse model that is just pure meanness with its cranked up 500 horsepower V8 and the ability to choose your gearbox in either the 10-speed auto or six-speed manual. Ford tells us that the heart of this beast includes a revamped intake system and utilizes the connecting rods from its 760 horsepower Shelby GT500 for ultimate VROOM!

 

The Dark Horse will have a menacing look of its own with a nasty hood scoop, functional rear wing and diffuser, ground effects and badging. You can also choose optional 19-inch carbon fiber five spoke wheels by Carbon Revolution that are 37 percent lighter than the standard aluminum rims.

 

Open the door and look inside the new Mustang and you will be greeted with an entirely new interior. The Motor Company calls it "fighter jet inspired" with its new flat-bottomed steering wheel and wide, curving digital touchscreen. Optional Recaro seats add to the race-inspired aesthetic.

 

Indeed, the 13.2-inch screen is a vast improvement over the 6th Gen set-up. Traditional buttons on the dash for the radio and climate control are now part of the touchscreen which uses Ford's Sync-4 software for GPS navigation and such infotainment features as Apple Carplay and Android Auto comes standard. Amazon Alexa and Ford Streaming allows for voice command, so you never have to take your hands off the wheel while Ford Power-Up allows over-the-air software updates.

 

The look and feel of the interior can change dramatically thanks to ambient interior lighting and your choice of customizable digital screen displays. The driver's display changes depending on the drive mode you choose, from mild to wild. When it comes to safety and driver assist features, the new Mustang brings you more than ever before with Ford's Co-Pilot360 including standard adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. Plus, there's an optional feature with the Performance Pack that warns you of any potholes in your way and maneuvers around them.

 

While the base model Mustang comes with cloth seats which are available with inserts made from micro-suede, the GT gets leather inserts and performance focused Recaro buckets are an option that are great for track days.

 

We had the chance to see the new Mustang recently though our time on the road with it was far too short. What can we say about piloting the all-new seventh generation Mustang? We think the V8 powered GT model we drove is the best handling Mustang yet. Cornering is tighter, steering is precise, and acceleration is remarkable. The 59-year legacy of this proud pony car comes together in a perfect package of V8 muscle, and it sounds glorious. We're sad that this may be the last of the V8-powered Mustangs. If that is indeed the case, Ford can honestly say its Mustang is a wild horse on one last stampede that puts a smile on our faces.

As of this writing, the EPA has not released official fuel consumption figures but per gallon ratings for the EcoBoost model may well be better than the outgoing model that carries an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

 

The new seventh generation 2024 Mustang will burst out of its corral toward the end of 2023, just in time for Summer. According to industry insiders, the starting MSRP for the four-cylinder EcoBoost model will be around $30,000, while the GT with its Coyote V8 will be closer to $40k, and Ford has revealed that the starting price for the snarling Dark Horse will be $57,970.