2014 Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang GT with 5.0-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and available SelectShift® automatic transmission
•GT Track Package and Hill Start Assist available on manual-transmission cars; optional leather-trimmed or cloth Recaro seats, and functional hood heat extractors on GT
•Available 4.2-inch LCD screen features Track Apps, which enables the driver to monitor performance measures such as g-forces, shows acceleration times in quarter-mile and 0-60 increments, and displays braking times, complete with automatic and countdown starts

For its 50th year of production, the 2014 Ford Mustang continues to deliver performance, style, substance, technology and driver tools.

'Mustang is the perfect example of continuing to build on excellence,' said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. 'It takes the greatness of the 5.0-liter V8 and V6 and pushes refinement to the next level. The car has been spot-on functionally, and now offers features and technology to further improve the driver's experience.'

Aggressive design

The 2014 model carries on the distinct Mustang style with an aggressive design featuring a prominent grille. A powerful splitter adds to the appearance, while functional heat extractors on the hood of the GT are specifically designed and placed to help move hot air out of the engine compartment and cool the engine.

'With this Mustang, we are delivering a distinctive and emotional design presence that celebrates the total performance of Mustang,' said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. 'This latest Mustang design is very respectful of its heritage while continuing to look forward with a more powerful and modern look.'

For 2014 the FP6 and FP8 Appearance Package is available for V6 and GT models respectively. The package includes black-painted side mirrors and rear spoiler plus body-color rear quarter window louvers. All Mustang models with the Appearance Package get black-painted aluminum alloy wheels, 18 inches in diameter on the V6, 19 inches on GT.

Two new colors are available for 2014 – Ruby Red and Oxford White.

Inside, all 2014 Mustang models get new cleaner, easier-to-read instrument cluster graphics.

Driving technologies

The 2014 Mustang maintains the outstanding balance and driving behavior Mustang owners expect. The 5.0-liter V8 engine delivers 420 horsepower and even the standard 3.7-liter V6 offers 305 horsepower.

All Mustang models feature six-speed transmissions with a SelectShift® automatic as an alternative to the standard manual. This advanced control strategy offers the driver a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control.

'This lets owners take an automatic out on a track day or whenever they want to drive sportier, and lets them have the convenience of switching to manual control,' said Tom Barnes, vehicle engineering manager for Mustang.

Unlike some competitive transmissions, SelectShift won't second-guess the driver with an override shift. With SelectShift, manual control is truly manually controlled, allowing the driver to hold a gear right up to redline if desired.

The GT Track Package is available only on manual Mustang GT with a 3.73 axle, giving track enthusiasts an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance friction brake pads and a Torsen® differential for improved power delivery to the pavement. The package includes 14-inch vented front discs, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires.

Other optional packages include the Brembo Brake Package on both manual and automatic Mustang GT models and the V6 Performance Package.

Hill Start Assist makes driving a manual-transmission Mustang in hilly terrain easier and more convenient. The feature helps keep the car from rolling backward, making it easier to pull away when on a grade. With the brake pedal pressed, if sensors detect the car is on a slope, the system is automatically activated. Brake pressure is held in the braking system and the car remains stationary on the slope for up to two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal.

Mustang also offers customers selectable steering that tailors the driving experience to fit their needs. With a choice of three settings, the feature allows a customer to select the steering effort, depending on his or her style of driving.

Sport mode provides the most road force felt through the steering wheel and requires the highest level of steering effort, allowing the driver to be more in tune with how the car reacts to the road. Comfort mode provides the least amount of road force felt through the steering wheel and requires the least amount of steering effort, which is ideal for long, relaxing drives.

A standard mode provides a balance between the comfort and sport settings. The settings are accessed and programmed through the message center.

A 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen lets Mustang drivers access information related to fuel economy and vehicle performance. The screen is navigated through a five-way control button located on the steering wheel and offers Track Apps, which delivers performance metrics for drivers right from the factory. The app measures g-forces, shows acceleration times in quarter-mile and 0-60 increments, and displays braking times, complete with automatic and countdown starts.

The Shaker audio system offers eight speakers while the Shaker Pro offers nine speakers for a premium, stage-like listening experience. Standard SYNC® AppLink™ gives drivers voice control of selected smartphone apps such as Pandora, Destinations, Audible and many more.

The 2014 Ford Mustang is built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

50 years of Mustang

The Ford Mustang is about to become the newest member of a very exclusive club – vehicles in continuous production for 50 years. In its first 49 years of production, Mustang has gained a worldwide base of avid fans. Mustang's unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sporty cars that has inspired numerous competitors.

Over the past 49 years each of the more than 8.5 million Mustangs produced has been built in America, most of them close to Ford's home base in Dearborn, Mich. Mustang has come to evoke a variety of emotions in customers and fans – freedom, independence and being true to one's self – just to name a few. The Mustang attitude of limitless possibilities is universal and enduring, and fans around the world will be honoring that heritage with numerous celebrations as the original pony car heads into the next 50 years.

Source - Ford