Ford drops an electric blue Mustang teaser on Tesla's festivities




Just as Tesla's scheduled Model Y reveal kicked off, Ford (the company Elon Musk said killed his S-E-X-Y naming scheme by blocking the Model E name) had something to show the people. It didn't provide any details at all, but this curiously-colored Mustang logo looks like a hint of electrification coming to one of the few cars Ford still makes.

It could be a nod to the Mach 1 / "Mach-E" electric performance SUV due in 2020 with a name hijacked from a famous Mustang, something related to a hybrid Mustang that's in the works, or maybe both?

Ford confirmed to Autoblog that a hybrid Mustang is set for release in 2020, showed off a coupe with a similarly-colored logo in one of its ads and could enhance its "EcoBoost" turbocharged engines by adding some batteries. With the speedy Model Y slated to go on sale in late 2020, the prospect of additional competition is an intriguing one.

It is my very strong opinion that if you are to buy a new Ford Mustang, you should try your very best to get the V8 Mustang GT. The current 5.0-liter has a fantastic sound and power delivery, and in this age of downsizing, forced induction and electrification, who knows how much time old-school V8s have left? But that hardly means the 2.3-liter turbo four EcoBoost engine is a bad choice. And if you opt for this package, it just got even better.

Meet the 2020 Ford Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package. If you can’t get the V8, this is now the next best thing, and from the spec sheet I don’t think any enthusiast will be disappointed in what it can do.

Your standard, everyday 2.3-liter turbo EcoBoost Mustang puts out 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Those aren’t bad numbers at all. But this package does it even better, with an extra 20 horses for a total of 330 HP. Torque remains the same.

Ford claims it’s the most powerful four-cylinder “sports car” (it’s debatable whether a Mustang is truly a sports car, but you get the idea) available from an American automaker.

What’s more, Ford says it was born of an experiment by engineers: What happens when you swap the Ford Focus RS’ engine into the Mustang? That’s basically what this is, though it’s still 20 HP down on the RS. Getting power sent solely to the rear wheels is a fair tradeoff, I suppose.

The extra power here comes from a high-performance cylinder head, larger-than-stock twin-scroll turbo compressor and a larger radiator. It can be had with a six-speed manual (yes) or a 10-speed automatic (ehhh.) Ford says it’ll do zero to 60 mph in the mid-four second range, which, again, is hugely impressive for a four-cylinder car.

It’s more than just motor improvements too. The 2.3L High Performance Package gets stuff from the GT Performance Package like a strut tower brace, that car’s bigger front brakes and its brake cooling ramps. On the outside it gets gray mirrors and hood stripes, a new rear spoiler and 19-inch aluminum wheels. You get a shorter 3:55 rear axle ratio too.

The package will be available on both the coupe and convertible Mustang this fall. Pricing has not been announced yet, but an upper-end EcoBoost Premium starts at $31,410 and a V8 GT starts at $35,355, so I’d guess somewhere between those two.

All in all, it sounds like a lot of fun. It probably won’t be better than the V8, but I’m eager to see what it can do.

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R picks up new performance tech and colors from its stablemates to make it more fun to drive on the track and off.

Enhancing handling and steering responsiveness, Shelby GT350R refinements for 2020 include redesigned front suspension geometry with a redesigned high-trail steering knuckle leveraged from the all-new Shelby GT500. To elevate driver confidence and steering precision, a new steering rack and recalibrated electric power steering control is also added.

"It's always been our plan to take the latest innovations from the GT500 program and strategically apply them across the Mustang lineup," said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. "These latest updates to the GT350R keep its performance competitive and on the top if its game, whether that's on the track or on the street."

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R continues to also deliver against aggressive targets for weight reduction with a rear seat delete and carbon fiber wheels. Exhaust resonators also have been removed for weight savings with the benefit of creating a sharper exhaust tone.

For customers seeking more comfort in their Shelby GT350R, Ford offers an available Technology Package with a 12-speaker B&O premium sound system, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Cobra Puddle Lamps and voice-activated navigation.

Also standard are carbon fiber wheels, larger front splitter and rear wing.

Standing apart from GT350, GT350R features distinct design details. Exterior touches include red painted brake calipers, red pin striping at the edges of the optional over-the-top racing stripes and Shelby GT350R badging. Inside is high-contrast red stitching, Shelby GT350R badging and the D-shaped steering wheel fitted with a red center mark at the top.

Shelby GT350
2020 Shelby GT350 carries over previous updates, including the latest advances in tire, aerodynamics and chassis technology. GT350 shares some new Mustang colors and new driver technologies. Grabber Lime and Twister Orange are two bright, new heritage feature colors that trace back to the 1970s, while new Iconic Silver and Red Hot Metallic provide some classic hues to the lineup.

FordPass Connect™, now standard on Mustang for 2020, allows owners to interact with their vehicles via a smartphone. Using FordPass Connect's phone application, GT350 owners can locate their parked car, lock and unlock it, and check vehicle status, such as fuel, oil levels and maintenance alerts. The availability of these features varies by market.

Developed in partnership with German engineering outfit Webasto, the car is a one-off prototype built to demonstrate the potential of electrification in a package familiar to performance fans.

The 2020 Shelby GT500 is quick, new, and attention-getting, and we will be testing it soon to tell you just how quick.

Youtuber Speed Phenom posted a video today claiming that his GT500 is the first customer car on a drag strip. He blasted through the quarter-mile in 10.665 seconds at 132.96 mph. From the video, we can tell that this was probably the first time the Speed Phenom has driven on a drag strip, because he has the drag strip's staff there to answer his questions and concerns. He asks his copilot at one point: "Did I let off too early, do you think?"

The 2020 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that pumps out 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Ford has claimed a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.7 seconds.

To achieve his fastest time, which took what seems like an entire day, Speed Phenom had near perfect conditions. He had the launch control system maxed out to 3200 rpm at launch, used the GT500's line-lock feature, had the rear tires set at 24 psi (the drag-strip staff is shown explaining to him how this works), and he had a well-prepared surface.

At least he admits that he is the biggest amateur we could imagine. We'll be testing one soon and will report back with our times with the most powerful production Ford to date.

There are a lot of powerful feelings we can associate with Ford v. Ferrari, which put the 1960s tale of Le Mans fresh in our minds, such as an uncontrollable love for the fuels the world runs on: capitalism, gasoline and testosterone. But in the spirit of all three, can we put a monetary value on those feelings?

Ford sure hopes so.

On this magnificent Thursday, Ford announced a car the likes of which we’ve never seen before: A white Mustang with blue stripes, looking to capitalize on your personal Ford v. Ferrari hype that hasn’t worn off yet by convincing you to put down an extra $2,000 for a heritage package on the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R. It’s an appearance package only, since looking the part is half of the battle, but don’t worry—both come with roughly 530 horsepower.

The heritage package is a throwback to some names you might recall from the movie and from life, and Ford calls it “a tribute to Carroll Shelby’s historic 1965 fastback coupe that helped establish the GT350 brand.” That tribute will cost exactly $1,965, because we might as well have a little fun with the numbers.

From the announcement:
The heritage-edition GT350 and GT350R models will be a limited run, Ford said, but didn’t say what the limit was. The white paint and blue stripes will be paired with blue exterior badges and a dashboard badge inside, and GT350R heritage models will have black seats with red accent stitching.

The extra $1,965 for the heritage appearance package will come in addition to MSRPs on the cars, which, base, are $60,440 for the GT350 and $73,435 for the GT350R. Dealerships can order the heritage editions now, Ford said, and they’re scheduled to begin production early next year and ship out this spring.If your movie hype wears off by then, not to worry—you still have the prospect of the rare white Mustang with blue stripes to entice you.

After a 17-year hiatus, the all-new Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback coupe made its world premiere - becoming the modern pinnacle of style, handling and 5.0-liter V-8 pony car performance.

"Bold styling, great acceleration and speed - Mach 1 says it all," said Jim Farley, Ford's chief operating officer. "This is one of those special Mustangs that truly brings a smile to the faces of our owners, enthusiasts and fans - including me - so there's never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too."

Ford's quest for speed began with Henry Ford in 1901 and the company's roots within aerospace only furthered its desire to deliver quicker, faster and more powerful vehicles. Calling back Chuck Yeager's feat becoming the first to break the sound barrier - Mach 1 - Ford delivered its original Mach 1 in 1969, setting 295 speed and endurance records in its first model year at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thanks to its added handling capability, Mach 1 teams earned back-to-back SCCA Manufacturer's Rally Championships in 1969 and 1970.

Like the original, the all-new Mach 1 bridges the gap between Mustang GT and Shelby® models, delivering V-8 power, unique functional aerodynamic enhancements, competition-capable suspension upgrades and a driver-focused cockpit.

All-new Mach 1 muscle

The all-new Ford Mustang Mach 1 is set to become the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever, courtesy of a newly designed front end, plus Ford Performance parts from Mustang Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500 models and an available Handling Package for greater at-limit handling.

Packing a specially calibrated 5.0-liter V8 engine that has a projected 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm, Mach 1 is a fitting celebration of a nameplate born more than 50 years ago.

Integrated into the Mach 1 engine are revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oil cooler, increasing engine oil cooling capability by 50 percent.

The all-new version leans on decades of Ford Performance learnings, wearing a uniquely crafted front end for aerodynamic efficiency and a host of Ford Performance parts that help celebrate its iconic heritage. Mach 1 comes standard with a Tremec™ 3160 6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. For the first time, Ford has outfitted the system with rev-matching and the transmission is paired with the GT350 oil cooler system and Mustang GT's twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter.

Drivers can also opt for an available 10-speed SelectShift™ automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimizing torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance. A second air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75 percent.

Recapturing Mach 1 style

The all-new Ford Mustang Mach 1's grille harkens back to the original with a deep 3-D mesh, shark-nosed section and faux lamp elements. Flanking the fascia are new side grilles below each turn signal lamp. A low-gloss Magnetic pony badge is centered on the grille. Low-gloss magnetic and black accents throughout the vehicle provide a premium look while staying true to Mach 1's bold, muscular heritage, including low-gloss Magnetic mirror caps and rear spoiler.

New 19-inch x 9.5-inch, and 19-inch x 10-inch five-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels are a modern version of the classic Magnum 500 style wheels. Handling Package vehicles come standard with unique, wider 19-inch x 10.5-inch front, and 19-inch x 11-inch rear Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels.

The Handling Package - exclusively available with the Tremec™ 3160 6-speed manual transmission - also includes a larger unique higher downforce front splitter, new front wheel lip moldings, and a low-gloss Magnetic swing spoiler with a Gurney flap and rear tire spats from Shelby GT500.

Satin Black side and hood stripes are included with reflective accent stripes in any of three colors: Red, White and Orange (Appearance Package only). Exterior color options include the Mach 1 exclusive Fighter Jet Gray (Appearance Package only), as well as Iconic Silver, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Twister Orange, Race Red and Grabber Yellow.

The interior features a unique Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents. Ebony seats with an accent stripe hint at Mach 1 heritage in cars equipped with a leather interior. Other interior upgrades include new door sill plates, an updated splash screen on the 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, a white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the vehicle's unique chassis number.

Mach 1: Built to perform

The Mach 1 engineering and design teams worked in tandem to develop a front end unique to the Mach 1 persona that also meets the high aerodynamic demands of the engine, transmission and braking systems.

A new two-piece upper grille, lower grille and valance, and new side grilles, all contribute to Ford Mustang Mach 1's signature look and more demanding aero and cooling performance requirements.

A front splitter optimized to the fascia shape improves track performance and provides a more aggressive appearance, while a matched rear spoiler works in concert to create ideal lift balance. Mach 1 features 22 percent more downforce than a Mustang GT with Performance Pack Level 1 and the downforce improvement jumps to approximately 150 percent with the Handling Package.

To enhance track endurance, the team added two side heat exchangers - one to cool engine oil, the other transmission oil - as well as a rear axle cooling system and lower diffuser from Shelby GT500.

A new underbelly pan, the vehicle's most aerodynamically important upgrade, extends 20 inches further rearward than on a Mustang GT Performance Pack to smooth and increase the airflow under the front of the car. Large underwing features in the belly pan increase downforce, while special belly pan airfoils in the brake cooling ramps improve downforce and assist the brake cooling flow - a first for Mustang.

To improve ride and handling, Mach 1 features the latest MagneRide calibration, a stiffer steering I-shaft, new EPAS calibration, stiffer sway bars and front springs, a brake booster from the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, 9.5-inch/10-inch split fitment wheels with Michelin PS4 tires, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe-link from Shelby GT500.

The all-new and limited-edition 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will arrive in U.S. and Canadian Ford dealerships in the spring of 2021.

Ford officially announced it is ending Mustang Shelby GT350 production after the conclusion of the 2020 model year vehicles. And that’s a shame because it is a fan favorite. 526 horsepower from a 5.2-liter V8 is already cool. That it spins to 8,250 rpm and uses a flat-plane crankshaft made it a true marvel. And it’s much more than straight-line muscle. Ford built a real handler, more adept to a racetrack than any other Mustang trim.

In an attempt to exit gracefully, Ford put together a special styling package called the Heritage Edition. This package uses Wimbledon White paint to coat the body before two racing strips in Guardsman blue run the length of the vehicle. Furthermore, front and rear exterior badges also come in Guardsman blue as well as a unique dash badge. The Heritage Edition is available on both GT350 and GT350R models. The package's price is $1,965.

The price is a nod to the Heritage Edition's heritage: Those were the colors of Carroll Shelby’s 1965 race car that Ken Miles raced to victory in February '65 at Green Valley Raceway in Texas. Shelby and Miles sounds familiar. Those colors also represented the U.S. as its assigned racing colors.



Most importantly, it looks good. It’s cool. Understated. Well, as much as it can be in such a loud car. And thank goodness it’s loud because the noise is so good! That V8 is simply magic. Intuitively, you reach 7,000 rpm and feel an urge to shift. Resist that urge and hear the motor that must’ve been ripped from a Cup car scream, 8,000 rpm arrives, wait—8,250 rpm. Bang! Shift and start all over again. It’s absolutely intoxicating.

And while that motor is great, the real magic is the natural, analog, full of feel handling. The GT350 is a real corner cutter. You get immense grip, a nimble front-end for transitions, and excellent communication skills between car and driver. The GT350 might prove to be one of the best driver’s cars ever built. You get modern equipment for great engine power, brilliantly tuned adjustable shocks and mega grip tires.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.You also get “old-school” tech in the right places: six-speed manual transmission, naturally aspirated engine, and really good feedback through the steering wheel and seats. And those seats are Recaros that hug your body tight, a good thing because the Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires hold the road better than anything with a tread pattern.

These traits together often become intimidating, but because the GT350 provides all that feel, it’s not here. You just go faster, feel the g’s and smile ear to ear.

Being a Mustang, it’s not as refined as a Porsche, but that ultimately adds to the appeal. It’s born out of a race car, after all, and it’s raw in the right way. It’s as if Ford just throws a license plate on its GT4 race cars and sends them to the dealers.

The Heritage Edition itself doesn’t mean much. And that’s a good thing for two reasons. First, it means Ford didn’t screw the car up. Second, it looks sharp. The white paint with blue racing strips don’t add an over-the-top, look-at-me-flashiness to the car. Or maybe it does, but because it’s so much fun to drive you don’t notice.

No matter, this Mustang is a gem, an absolute darling to look at, listen to, and drive. Going out in style, indeed.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 won't see another model year. Ford announced last week that it'd discontinue the GT350 and the hotter GT350R after 2020, ending the model's five-year production run. The 760-horsepower (566-kilowatt) Shelby GT500 supersedes it, and we know the Mach 1 that is coming borrows from the GT350's parts bin. Head of Mustang Marketing Jim Owens explains why we're saying goodbye now to the Shelby pair in a new interview with Muscle Cars and Trucks.

The GT350's demise doesn't mean Ford is throwing away everything great about the Shelby – on the contrary. Owens told the publication that the Mach 1's handing package "learned from the GT350," adding that as Ford learned what worked and what didn't with the S550's first Shelby offering, it needed to come up with a name as the product evolved. That's how we have the Mach 1 set to arrive next spring.

The Mach 1 will also be available internationally, unlike the GT350. As Muscle Cars and Trucks notes, European regulators forbade Ford from selling it, and the GT500, on the Old Continent due to the car's lackluster emissions. However, that is not an issue the Mach 1 will face as Ford can sell its 5.0-liter V8 there, and elsewhere around the world. The GT350 uses Ford's flat-crank plane 5.2-liter V8.

It's disappointing to see the Shelby GT350 disappear from the Mustang's lineup, but the Mach 1 sounds like it'll be a riot on the track. Ford has called it "the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever," which are bold words from the automaker. It has those of us who remember the previous-gen Boss 302 Laguna Seca giddy with excitement. The GT350 may be going away, for now, but the lessons Ford has learned from it will make the Mach 1, and other future Mustang models, that much better.

Longstanding rumors claim the next-generation Ford Mustang could offer all-wheel drive, and they may not be false. Although the company didn't confirm an all-wheel-drive option is on its way, it refused to rule it out.

"As you know, the [Dodge] Challenger has all-wheel-drive. We're always looking at different kinds of performance, but we have nothing to announce at the moment," affirmed Mustang brand manager Jim Owens in an interview with enthusiast website Ford Authority. What's telling is that he highlighted the competition and didn't shoot down the idea. He would have sung a different tune if asked about making the next Mustang front-wheel-drive — though taking that controversial route was once seriously considered by Ford, too.

Seeing an all-wheel-drive variant of the current-generation Mustang (pictured) is extremely unlikely. If it receives the green light, the layout would almost certainly be offered on the next-generation model due out for the 2023 model year. We're guessing it would be an extra-cost option, and rear-wheel drive will continue to come standard.

It's too early to tell how Ford would channel power to the four wheels. It could be a full-time system, or it could send spin the front wheels only when the rear axle loses traction. Either way, it's safe to bet it will be rear-biased.

Although this is pure speculation, it's interesting to note rumors claim the next-generation Mustang will be the first one available with a hybrid powertrain. Could these two reports converge into a through-the-road all-wheel drive system? It's not absurd. Ford could keep a naturally-aspirated V8 in the engine bay and channel its output to the rear wheels, while adding electric motors to zap the front wheels into motion. Patented by the Blue Oval in 2017, it's a setup that would add weight, but odds are it would be marketed as a high-performance drivetrain.

Ford has never offered four- or all-wheel drive on the Mustang, though England-based Ferguson Research built two or three prototypes in the 1960s. While some enthusiasts will inevitably argue a Mustang needs to be rear-wheel-drive, we're not worried that adding the option of all-wheel-drive will dilute the car's image or appeal. Dodge didn't water down the Challenger by making all-wheel-drive available; it actually widened the model's target audience. Following this path could help Ford position the Mustang as a year-round driver.

We'll need to be patient to find out more about what Ford has in store for the next-generation Mustang. Called S650 internally, it's scheduled to arrive in showrooms nationwide before the end of 2022 as a 2023 model.