So, I’ve already shown pictures and gone through the big changes for the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, and now it’s time to delve into its more mass-market brother, the Mustang (and Mustang GT). With a refresh in 2010 and new engines for the 2011 model year, the Mustang isn’t due for another big redesign until 2015. Until then, a few minor modifications will have to suffice. Read on for pictures and details, as well as Ford’s press release.
The Mustang team began by tweaking the front and rear ends of its already popular sheet metal. The front end resembles the 2011 Shelby GT500, with a more shark-nosed appearance, hood bulge, and trapezoidal upper and lower grilles. GT models, equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 keep the grille-mounted driving lights, while V6-equipped models will have to do without. That V8, by the way, get’s a bump of 8 horsepower from the 2012 model, to an even 420, 6 shy of the Camaro SS’s output.
Out back, the taillamps have been revised, with a classic surround, evoking Mustangs from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Also cribbed from classic Mustangs is the blackout panel between the taillights. Back up front, HID headlamps are surrounded by LED lighting touches, which are both functional and tasteful in appearance.
Along the new Mustang’s sides, not much has changed except for a new lineup of wheels which are displayed in the gallery below. A neat trick is the new Mustang’s mirror-mounted puddle lamps, which display the icon running pony logo on the ground when the doors are unlocked.
Inside, the 2013 Mustang isn’t immune from the proliferation of Ford’s latest in infotainment and driver information displays. The touch screen navigation with SYNC is still there, having made its debut in the 2010 Mustang, but now it’s been joined by an optional 4.2″ LCD screen between the speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster. The LCD displays instantaneous MPG readouts, distance-to-empty, as well as trip odometers and a new functionality set Ford calls Track Apps. Track Apps include G-forces during cornering, acceleration and braking times. It will also display temperature readouts for the air intake and cylinder heads, as well as air-to-fuel ratio. An updated steering wheel includes an OK button flanked by four directional buttons to scroll through the readouts on the LCD screen.
While the engines are carryover from 2012 models (save the bump in horsepower for the V8), Ford has finally equipped automatic Mustangs with a manual mode they call SelectShift. A toggle button on the gear shift lever allows drivers to select their own gear, a feature that’s been a glaring omission from order sheets for several years.
The 2013 Mustang, with its relatively minor changes, presents a more aggressive look combined with 21st-century technology. Hopefully for Ford, these changes are enough to boost its sales compared to Chevrolet’s Camaro, which has outsold the Mustang so far this year.
by John Suit
Source: Ford
Show Press Release
New Design, More Technology for Ford Mustang
- New exterior design with more prominent grille, new hood and new LED signature lighting give the latest Mustang a high-tech look
- Drivers of automatic-equipped Mustangs will be able to shift their own gears with new SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, now a standard feature
- Industry-first technology allows drivers to monitor their own acceleration, g force and braking on the track with new 4.2-inch LCD screen showing Track Apps
Click here to visit the 2011 L.A. Auto Show Media Site.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2011 – Ford Mustang – the icon of American performance and style – gets even more street swagger with a new design and a list of smart features that signal even more technology in the popular pony car.
“The new Mustang is the perfect example of continuing to build on excellence. It takes the greatness of the 5.0-liter and V6 and pushes the refinement to the next level,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The car has been spot-on functionally and now we’re adding more features and technology to further improve the driver’s experience.”
More aggressive design
The new model Mustang, which goes on sale in spring 2012, offers a more aggressive design with a significantly more prominent grille. A more powerful splitter adds to that appearance. Functional heat extractors on the hood of the GT were specifically placed and designed to help move hot air out of the engine compartment and cool the engine.
“We are delivering a more 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.”
Rocker panels running along the car are now body-color, making for a more premium appearance. The rear has been updated with a high-gloss black panel that connects the taillamps. Keeping the sequential turn signal Mustang is known for, the taillamps also deliver a smoked appearance that matches the more purposeful look up front.
Also new for Mustang design are standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps on both V6 and GT cars. Signature lighting plays into the technology upgrades for 2013 as well, with two individual light-emitting diode (LED) bars accentuating the front headlamps and three LED ropes forming the iconic three-bar rear lights.
The new Mustang offers a revamped wheel lineup, ranging from the standard 17-inch wheels for V6 all the way up to 19-inch optional wheels on the GT and V6 Performance Package. With updated designs, the wheels also offer new finishes and touches for a more powerful appearance.
There are two different finishes on the 17-inch wheel – machined-aluminum and painted. Three optional V6 wheels include an 18-inch polished aluminum set, an updated 18-inch painted aluminum and a 19-inch painted wheel design, with a new theme for the V6 Performance Package.
The standard 18-inch painted aluminum wheel on both GT and premium GT is an evolution of the five-spoke design. The 19-inch optional GT wheel comes with a gloss-black finish with machined face for a more sinister look.
The new car also offers mirrors with pony projection light, which casts the image of Mustang’s famous pony emblem on the ground when the unlock button is activated. New colors – Deep Impact Blue and Gotta Have It Green – join the existing sporty colors for 2013.
Also new on V6 and GT are optional leather-trimmed or cloth Recaro® seats that are currently available on the Shelby GT500 and Boss 302. Designed to enhance the high-performance driving experience, lateral bolsters in the cushion and seatback are used to ensure drivers have the support needed on the track during hard cornering and to deliver a comfortable ride.
The seats also come complete with integrated head restraints with ample room for drivers and passengers wearing helmets when at the track. Openings on the seatback are included for customers looking to create performance setups for their car on track days. The Recaro seats are the result of a global team effort led by SVT along with the Mustang engineering group in North America, Team RS in Europe and Recaro.
New driving technologies
The 2013 Mustang with 5.0-liter engine will now deliver 420 horsepower. Based on learnings from developing the high-output 444-horsepower Mustang Boss 302, the team was able to adapt several of the designs to the 5.0-liter.
The new Mustang can be specified with a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission. This advanced control strategy offers the driver a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control. The system is controlled with a selector button on the side of the shifter. The shifter has been upgraded for 2013 with more modern style and improved accessibility.
“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, Mustang vehicle engineering manager. “It’s a significant improvement to our powertrain offerings that lets the driver take control.”
This capability makes the Mustang experience sporty yet smooth. Unlike some competitors’ transmissions, SelectShift won’t second-guess the driver with an override shift. With SelectShift, manual control is truly manually controlled.
A new option, the GT Track Package, debuts for 2013 for customers who want to push their Mustang even further at the track. Available only on manual GT Mustangs with a 3.73 axle, the package gives track enthusiasts an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance friction brake pads and the same Torsen® differential that’s on Mustang Boss 302. The package includes everything in the current Brembo™ Brake Package, with 14-inch vented front discs, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires.
Other optional package updates for 2013 include offering the Brembo Brake Package on both manual and automatic transmissions on Mustang GT. The V6 Performance Package is now available on automatic Mustangs for the first time.
Hill start assist makes its debut on manually equipped Mustangs. This feature helps keep the car from rolling backward, making it easier to pull away when on a slope or hill. 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.
A new 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen that lets customers access information related to fuel economy and vehicle performance also makes its debut on Mustang. 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 2013 Mustang also offers customers two new audio systems for even better sound quality for incredible clarity and crispness. The optional Shaker™ system comes with eight speakers and pumps out 370 watts of power. The upgraded Shaker Pro offers nine speakers and delivers 550 watts of power.
The 2013 Ford Mustang will be built at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.
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So, I’ve already shown pictures and gone through the big changes for the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, and now it’s time to delve into its more mass-market brother, the Mustang (and Mustang GT). With a refresh in 2010 and new engines for the 2011 model year, the Mustang isn’t due for another big redesign until 2015. Until then, a few minor modifications will have to suffice. Read on for pictures and details, as well as Ford’s press release.
The Mustang team began by tweaking the front and rear ends of its already popular sheet metal. The front end resembles the 2011 Shelby GT500, with a more shark-nosed appearance, hood bulge, and trapezoidal upper and lower grilles. GT models, equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 keep the grille-mounted driving lights, while V6-equipped models will have to do without. That V8, by the way, get’s a bump of 8 horsepower from the 2012 model, to an even 420, 6 shy of the Camaro SS’s output.
Out back, the taillamps have been revised, with a classic surround, evoking Mustangs from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Also cribbed from classic Mustangs is the blackout panel between the taillights. Back up front, HID headlamps are surrounded by LED lighting touches, which are both functional and tasteful in appearance.
Along the new Mustang’s sides, not much has changed except for a new lineup of wheels which are displayed in the gallery below. A neat trick is the new Mustang’s mirror-mounted puddle lamps, which display the icon running pony logo on the ground when the doors are unlocked.
Inside, the 2013 Mustang isn’t immune from the proliferation of Ford’s latest in infotainment and driver information displays. The touch screen navigation with SYNC is still there, having made its debut in the 2010 Mustang, but now it’s been joined by an optional 4.2″ LCD screen between the speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster. The LCD displays instantaneous MPG readouts, distance-to-empty, as well as trip odometers and a new functionality set Ford calls Track Apps. Track Apps include G-forces during cornering, acceleration and braking times. It will also display temperature readouts for the air intake and cylinder heads, as well as air-to-fuel ratio. An updated steering wheel includes an OK button flanked by four directional buttons to scroll through the readouts on the LCD screen.
While the engines are carryover from 2012 models (save the bump in horsepower for the V8), Ford has finally equipped automatic Mustangs with a manual mode they call SelectShift. A toggle button on the gear shift lever allows drivers to select their own gear, a feature that’s been a glaring omission from order sheets for several years.
