If you ask me about my first impression of American cars, I will definitely say: muscular, bigger engine cars. So, every time I see those American sports cars, it makes me excited.
Ford Mustang is the originator of American muscle cars. More importantly, it has also taken the approach of being friendly to young people, using a 2.3T engine. Although it has lost the true meaning of American muscle cars, it is at least more accessible.
Prototype: 1962 Mustang Type 1
In 1962, Mustang’s first Mustang 1 prototype was launched. This car is a mid-engine two-seater sports car based on Ford’s Falcon.
However, the prototype car was not approved by Ford executives. The reason was that its predecessor launched the two-door Thunderbird sports car in 1955. The two-seater model was not practical and the sales were extremely poor at that time. Therefore, Ford executives asked the Mustang to change to a four-seater design. , which is why Mustang’s early two-door sports car became a four-door sports car.
First Generation Mustang (1964-1973)
In 1964, Ford officially released the first batch of Mustangs equipped with in-line 6-cylinder and V8 engines. Once released, the Mustang’s powerful lines and powerful shape design immediately attracted the attention of many people.
At the same time, many unique designs of this car also won the crazy pursuit and favor of the young people at that time, including the left and right symmetrical three vertical taillights, and the Mustang and stripe logo on the front side of the side, etc., which have become the iconic features of the Mustang in the future.
Second Generation Mustang (1974-1978)
As this era faced more competition from Japan’s Toyota Celica and Nissan’s Datsun 240Z models, the arrival of the energy crisis made these Japanese sports cars equipped with small and medium-displacement engines very popular. In view of the competitive pressure at that time, Ford adjusted the power system of the second-generation Mustang, only with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder models.
In 1975, because the second-generation Mustang lacked a V8 model, it was questioned by many fans, so the V8 engine model was put on the agenda again.
Because the V8 engine was not planned in the initial design, it was difficult to fit the V8 engine in the engine compartment of the second-generation Mustang. Ford engineers then made changes to the engine bay, and eventually the V8 engine reappeared in the Mustang’s model list.
Third Generation Mustang (1979-1993)
In 1979, the third-generation Mustang was launched. This model completely lost its wildness. In addition to the common V6 and V8 engines, the original model also appeared with a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. The maximum power of this engine has reached 97 kW.
In 1980, due to the second oil crisis, Ford replaced the Mustang’s V8 model with a more fuel-efficient 4.2L V8 engine. As a price for saving fuel, the power of this engine was reduced to 88 kilowatts, and the power was finally sacrificed by this generation of Mustang.
Beginning in 1985, Ford canceled Mustang’s L and Turbo GT models, leaving three models of LX, GT and SVO. In 1986, Ford installed an EFI V8 engine for the Mustang. Since then, the carburetor engine of the Mustang has been gradually replaced by the EFI engine.
Fourth Generation Mustang (1994-2004)
In 1994, Ford launched the fourth-generation Mustang. This generation of Mustang is based on the upgraded Fox platform. Although it is still based on the Fox platform, the Mustang has undergone great changes in many aspects.
In terms of styling, this generation of Mustang completely subverted all people’s perception of Mustang in the past. The flat, long front is streamlined and sharp, similar to the design style of mainstream American sports cars at that time.
In order to comprehensively improve the power, comfort, body stability, handling and safety of the fourth-generation Mustang, Ford also spent 700 million US dollars on this. In terms of power, the basic power system is a 3.8L V6 engine with a maximum power of 107 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 292N·m.
At the same time, Ford also launched a more powerful Mustang GT. This car is equipped with a V8 engine with a maximum power of 158 kilowatts, and it only takes 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h.
Fifth Generation Mustang (2005-2013)
The fifth-generation Mustang adopts Ford’s brand-new D2C platform. Many changes have taken place in its appearance and interior. The tough lines make this generation of Mustang once again show the original hardcore sports car style. In terms of models, this generation of Mustang has launched two models of coupe and convertible.
The new engine has a maximum power of 154 kW and a peak torque of 33 N.m, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The fifth-generation Mustang GT is equipped with a 4.6L 24V SOHC V8 all-aluminum engine. The new engine is equipped with a variable valve timing system, with a maximum power of 221 kW and a maximum torque of 44 N.m. It is equipped with an improved TR-3650 5-speed manual transmission, and the acceleration time from 100 kilometers is 4.9 seconds. In addition, GT models are also equipped with a limited-slip differential.
In 2010, Ford launched the remodeled fifth-generation Mustang, which still inherits Ford’s consistent muscle car lines in appearance – resolute and strong. The redesigned model can be equipped with 17-19 inch wheels. The springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars have also been retuned, while the braking system has been greatly improved, and the new car will be equipped with ESP as standard. The interior has been greatly remodeled, and many metal elements have been added to set off the muscular appearance with a strong sense of metal. The power of the Mustang GT has also been improved again, and Ford has retuned its 4.6L V8 engine, making the power increase to 232 kilowatts.
Shelby GT500 SVT
The Mustang Shelby model is a high-end model of the Mustang, and the Cobra logo worn on the body is very obvious. In addition, the fifth-generation Mustang Shelby model is equipped with a 5.4L supercharged V8 engine with a maximum power of 404 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 70N.m. The official fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only 15.8L.
Sixth Generation Mustang(2014-)
In 2014, Mustang ushered in its 50th birthday, and the sixth-generation Mustang was released simultaneously in six major cities around the world including Shanghai on December 5, 2013. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged fastback model was launched first, followed by a new-generation Mustang GT version equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine.
50th Anniversary Limited Edition
To commemorate the historic 50th anniversary, each all-new 2015 Ford Mustang will feature a special “Running Mustang” emblem on the dashboard with the words “Mustang — Since 1964.” In terms of appearance, the new-generation Mustang incorporates many new Ford family-style design elements.
