Ford Mustang India Unveiled

[CorsaVeloce]

Ford is all set to launch its most iconic model - the Mustang in India on the 28th of January. This car will be brought in through the CBU route, and is the same model which was revealed last year at the various expos across the globe. There are a couple of models which are already in the country for testing, you can see those images here.

Globally, the american manufacturer has 3 engine on offer ; the 3.7-litre V6 with 300PS of power and 380Nm of peak torque, along with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost which churns out 310PS of power coupled with a massive 434Nm of torque. The final option is the one which should make it to the Indian shores which is the BIG 5.0 litre V8, the muscle motor. This engine makes 435PS of power, along with massive 542NM of torque. As Mustang will be the flagship model of Ford, it is likely to offered with only the 5.0l motor. In India, the 5-litre motor will put out 401 PS of power and 515 Nm of torque to suit fuel conditions.

This model also signifies Ford's commitment to the right-hand drive market, as its the first time the Mustang is being produced with RHD since 1964. Ford promises not to compromise on any of the features it offers internationally, including a 'SYNC' infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control along with a cool 4.2 inch infotainment display. The model on sale in the US also comes with an optional 410-watt Shaker Pro Audio system. The standard system comes with 12 speakers and 2 subwoofers as well, which should go down well with the Indian consumer.

The Mustang has also grown in terms of the safety features such as the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), that uses a radar to detect a vehicle in the blind spot and alerts the driver using the indicator in the appropriate mirror! Although im not too sure how Ford India will adapt this to the multiple hand-rickshaws, pedestrians and disruptions that we have on our roads, but should be interesting to watch!

The design language of this new vehicle is in line with the rest of line-up, with the signature HID headlamps upfront, and the LED tri-bar tail lamps, which are basically the contemporary version on the original 70s fastback.

Expect it to be priced above the Rs. 60 lakh mark, and should come with a gazillion personalization options.
All in all, it is a fun, exciting vehicle which has been long overdue!!

[CorsaVeloce]

The first ever Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964, and was launched for the general public at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964. It made a special appearance in the James Bond film 'Goldfinger'in September of the same yar. It was one of the most successful product launches in automotive history. The Mustang sold over one million units in its first 18 months on the market. The Mustang remains in production today after many decades and numerous revisions.

This evolution has gone through many stages, 6 to be precise, and the latest offering has a lot to offer to the Indian customer. After 3 consecutive successful launches, Fod India has decided to enter the Coupe/Fastback segment to give the Audi TT and BMW Z4 serious nightmares. This is the evolution of a Mustang over the last 50 years, which has helped it become a true symbol of American heritage.

The first-gen Mustang (1964-73) sold well over the company's targeted 100,000 models and went to hit the half-million milestone within the same year! The power rating of the first-gen 'tang was at a respectable 105 bhp, with 156lb-ft of torque using its in-line 6 cylinder engine.The design philosophy has been carried forward ever since, and so is the name - the 'pony' car.

Courtesy : Autoevolution.com

Further on, Ford went ahead and launched the 'BOSS' & 'Mach 1' variants of the Mustang in 1969-70. The Boss 429 version was the biggest, baddest Mustang ever sold and with the 350 hp power on offer, it soon gained massive popularity and still remains the car of choice for some fanatics.

The 2nd generation of this beast was introduced in 1974 and was in production till 1978. This car was greatly influenced by the Italian coach-builder "Ghia". Was this meant was basically a smaller, more efficient engine, well suited for that time period. It was re-named the "Mustang II" and was sold by the dozen. The engines on offer were the 2.3-litre and 2.8-litre V6. This car sent the sales sky-rocketing for Ford, despite a convertible not being included in the line-up.

This generation of the 'stangs also got their share of steroids in form of a 4.9-litre V8 that was introduced in 1975 under "Cobra" and "Stallion" names. These cars went on to be hugely popular with the more enthusiastic consumer. The "King Cobra" was introduced towards the end of 1978, and become an iconic car with the snake sticker on the hood.

The 1979 Ford Mustang was the 3rd-gen pony, based on the Ford Fairmount platform. It was the longest-selling production variant by Ford and was produced right up till 1993. The '79 model had a rather weird looking exterior with the eggcrate-grill, and quad rectangular headlamps which were in tune with the design philosophies of the Pontiac Firebird & Chevy Camaro of the time.The engine choices included a 88hp, 2.3-liter Pinto inline-four cylinder, a 109 hp 2.8-liter V6 and a 140 hp 4.9-liter V8, which were all carried over from the second-gen car. Later in it's life, the inline-four Pinto was replaced by a 3.3-liter straight-six along with a brand new 132 hp 2.3-liter turbo four, which offered nearly the same power as the earlier V8. That 4.9-liter unit was replaced by a more efficient 4.2-liter unit.

This model also had a lot of mid-life updates with changes in the facade and exterior. This was the 1983 facelift :

The 1987 Mustang received a facelift for both the interior and exterior. The exterior design was reminiscent of the earlier SVO and gave the car more of an "Aero" look, in keeping with Ford's overall styling direction.

[NikilSJ]

For more details on the all-new Ford Mustang, click here.

[CorsaVeloce]

The third generation had a long run, and by 1994, it was time for a change. Ford carried on their new "Edge" design philosophy and came out with an all-new Mustang. This car took a slightly different design route, which the consumers took a while to get used to. The engine options included a 3.8-liter V6, producing 145 hp (1994-95) & 150 hp (1996-98) along with the 4.6-liter V8 monster, producing 215 hp (1996-97) & 225 hp (1998).

This car was considered to be not-so-Mustang like, which made the company go back to the drawing board and come with a facelift, which was more generic and in tune with the previous gen cars. The new styling enhanced the "New Edge" desing, but the overall shape remained the same.

In 2003, the Mach 1 was introduced which was later followed by the Cobra version.

[CorsaVeloce]

The common notion is that if you go retro with modern cars, it doesn't work. However, Ford came up with irresistible combination when it decided to bring back the original spirit of the fastback in it's 5th - Generation Mustang. This model was introduced in 2005 and was in production until late 2014, just before the newest gen was unveiled. The engine offerings included a newly worked on 210 hp 4-liter V6 and the GT version, which boasted a 4.6-liter V8 churning out a healthy 300 hp.

In 2010, it was given a mid-life upgrade with a more aggressive front end and new tail lamps, which reduced the bulk of the rear visually. The 4.6-liter power plant was boosted to 315 hp and further on in 2011, a all-new 3.7-liter aluminium block, with 305 hp on tap. It was a much lighter and more efficient engine. The GT variants got a 5-liter V8 producing a massive 412 hp, which was later bumped up to 420 hp.

There was another final installment to this generation of the 'Stang which was the GT500. With a big block 5.4-liter supercharged 550 hp (later increased to 5.8-liter with 662 horses)

[Jijo_Malayil]

Few minutes for the launch, hope its the mighty V8 engine Mustang. Come on Ford!

[NikilSJ]

Peepal Tree, a rock band from Bangalore, on stage at the launch of the all-new Ford Mustang

[Jijo_Malayil]

The the launch is on! Anurag Mehrothra, Excecutive Director, Marketing, Ford India, on how Ford brand has changed over the years in India.

[Jijo_Malayil]

Nigel Harris, President and Managing Director, Ford India on how the Endeavour is a game changer in the segment.

[NikilSJ]

Nigel Harris announces the Ford Mustang, one of the fastest selling cars in the world with a total of 9 million sold, will come to India.

[Jijo_Malayil]

Nine million mustangs sold over 51 years since its launch! To be sold in India by the second quarter of 2016. Finally!

[NikilSJ]

The Mustang has garnered 8.2 million likes on Facebook.

[NikilSJ]

"After 50 years, the Mustang gets a right hand version. This iconic car will be launched in the second quarter of 2016," says Nigel Harris, managing director and president of Ford India

[Jijo_Malayil]

Its here! What a stunning view.

[NikilSJ]

"The all-new Ford Mustang has a traditional design with modern cues. but don't be fooled by the traditional looks, it is a thoroughly modern car," says Nick Eterovic, Desgin Manager, Ford Asia Pacific