Touted as the world’s best-selling sports car, Ford has officially commenced celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first time the iconic Mustang was shown to the world. Which generation is your favourite?!
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Sixty years ago, Ford introduced the original Mustang at the World’s Fair in New York which heralded a new era in accessible sports cars. The Mustang quickly gained popularity and has remained Ford’s longest-running nameplate in continuous production ever since. To celebrate its remarkable legacy, a series of global events are planned for April 17, 2024, marking the Mustang’s 60th Anniversary.
“The Mustang is one of the most iconic, recognisable and revered cars in the world. The original model was conceived as an affordable car combining luxury and performance in a compact, sporty design, and these continue to be the defining attributes of the upcoming new seventh-generation Mustang,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa.
Since its inception, the Mustang has achieved unparalleled success. In the United States, it set records with over 418 812 units sold in its first year and crossed the 10 million sales mark in 2018. It has consistently dominated the sports car segment in the US for over six decades. Globally, the Mustang has been the best-selling sports car for more than a decade. It has also enjoyed significant success in South Africa since its local launch in 2016. The availability of right-hand drive models, including standard variants and limited editions like the Bullitt, Mach 1, and California Special, has furthered its appeal. In its eight-year run in South Africa, Ford has sold 4 060 Mustangs to date which has captured 84% of the sports car market. Mashinini further adds that this is courtesy of a rapidly growing community of Mustang owners and enthusiasts.
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In honor of the Mustang’s 60th anniversary, Ford unveiled a special Vermillion Red and Ebony Black logo, inspired by the original Mustang’s badging from the 1964 World’s Fair. This celebration sets the stage for the launch of the seventh-generation Mustang in South Africa later this year. The new model continues the same exterior design language as before while the interior boasts the most technologically advanced cockpit ever seen in a Mustang.
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The Mustang GT is equipped with a fourth-generation 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, delivering 362 kW and 567 N.m. Drivers can customize steering effort, engine response, and transmission settings through six available Drive Modes, including Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track, and a customizable mode with up to six individual profiles.
Joining the lineup is the Mustang Dark Horse, boasting a specially modified 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 372 kW of power and 567 N.m. Performance enhancements, unique chassis tuning, and advanced MagneRide shocks make it suitable for track use. The Dark Horse also features a distinct cockpit design with a suede-wrapped steering wheel, anodized silver paddle shifters, and a customizable digital instrument cluster.
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