First Drive: 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

What started almost 60 years in the past with a blue sheet of paper is at the moment one of the vital well known nameplates within the U.S. auto trade. The doc was an order by then-Ford President Lee Iacocca to start the formal improvement of a brand new sports activities coupe taking intention at a brand new era of automobile consumers.

Quite a bit has modified for the reason that first Ford Mustang made its debut as a 1964-1/2 mannequin. In the weeks forward, a seventh-generation pony automobile will start rolling into showrooms throughout the U.S. — and, finally, into dealerships on each continent however Antarctica.

The 2024 Ford Mustang possible gained’t shock potential homeowners. The feel and look is essentially evolutionary, although there are a handful of surprises, together with the all-new inside. But there’s a lot that ought to enchantment to everybody from these unique Baby Boom consumers to the Gen-Z consumers that the automaker hopes to win over.

To get a really feel for what the gen-7 Mustang is like, we headed to Los Angeles for an opportunity to present it a primary drive. In the approaching years we are able to anticipate to see an array of particular editions, resembling the brand new Mustang Dark Horse. But, throughout three days within the suburb of Arcadia, I drove the 2 key fashions: the Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT. This overview focuses on the extra inexpensive 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost bundle.

Overview

It’s the longest-running nameplate within the sports activities automobile market, and Ford is bringing again the Mustang for 2024 in what it claims is an all-new type. In actuality, the seventh-generation mannequin actually simply builds on the gen-6 bundle however, for essentially the most half, that’s a terrific place to start out.

Not to be confused with the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, the 2024 Ford Mustang retains the outgoing mannequin’s fundamental dimensions. It boasts a 107-inch wheelbase, and measures 189.4 inches nose-to-tail. It stands 55 inches in peak, with a width of 81.9 inches should you embody the mirrors.

The general design is near that of the outgoing mannequin, as nicely, although a better inspection reveals important steps had been taken to enhance the horse automobile’s aerodynamics. While delicate, new options just like the slit-like sequential headlamps give the 2024 Mustang an excellent sportier and extra elegant look. And that’s additional enhanced by inside upgrades that embody a brand new, twin-screen digital show.

Initially out there in three packages, together with the acquainted GT, the brand new Dark Horse and extra inexpensive EcoBoost, which delivers a major enhance in efficiency at 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Exterior

In auto-speak, the 2024 Ford Mustang will get an “evolutionary,” moderately than “revolutionary” replace to its exterior design.

As has lengthy been the norm, there are some notable variations, relying upon the trim. The EcoBoost bundle, for one factor, doesn’t share the brand new and practical warmth extractor discovered on the hood of the Mustang GT. But it shares most different design updates, together with rear haunches that flare out a bit extra, giving the 2024 mannequin a extra aggressive and sinister look.

Overall, the design is extra sharp-edged, from the brand new, slit-like sequential flip alerts, and LED headlamps that stream into the entrance quarter panels, to the kinked again finish.

For those that prefer to drive al fresco, the excellent news is that Ford is carrying over the Mustang convertible. It claims the brand new mannequin’s prime folds and unfolds quicker than earlier than — although, curiously, Ford continues to make use of a handbook locking mechanism you’ll discover on the prime of the windshield.

Oh, and as has develop into more and more widespread, Ford designers included some Easter eggs into the 2024 Mustang’s styling. Here’s a touch: on the very backside of the coupe’s backlight you’ll discover a element that provides a nod to all seven generations of Mustangs.

Interior

Where the outside updates may be modest to the purpose of being simply missed, it’s one other matter totally contained in the 2024 Ford Mustang. The automaker has referred to the brand new look as “disruptive,” and right here long-time consumers possible shall be in for a shock, beginning with the lack of the long-running double-brow instrument panel.

Slip behind the brand new, flat-bottomed steering wheel and the very first thing you’ll discover is the only piece of glass that stretches throughout a lot of the IP. It truly conceals a brand new, 12.4-inch gauge cluster and a separate, 13.2-inch infotainment display. Both are readily reconfigurable, particularly whenever you change from minimalist “Calm,” to “Normal” and “Sport” modes. (The GT additionally provides “Track.”)

If I can sound one grievance, it’s the choice to maneuver local weather controls onto the infotainment display. Though it’s comparatively straightforward to get to them, it nonetheless creates a little bit of a distraction to regulate temperature or activate or off the seat heaters.

Powertrain

In years previous, base Mustang packages had been regularly derided as “secretary cars.” Despite the sporty exterior styling all of them too regularly had been grossly underpowered. As Mustang Brand Manager Jim Owens acknowledges, the highest promoting level for the 2024 EcoBoost is prone to stay its styling. But consumers not must apologize for any lack of efficiency.

Quite the opposite. At 315 horsepower, the 2024 mannequin stampedes out as many ponies as previous GT packages made via 2010. And at a hefty 350 pound-feet of torque, the EcoBoost bundle can readily spin its wheels.

As its identify suggests, it’s powered by a fourth-generation improve of Ford’s 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine. Among essentially the most important revisions, the powertrain will get a brand new turbocharger, in addition to enhanced cooling that means that you can push exhausting, whether or not on the road or, as I had an opportunity to expertise, on an autocross course at Irwindale Speedway.

Better but, the upgraded powertrain delivers an estimated 26 mpg within the EPA’s mixed cycle, a 4% enchancment for the Mustang EcoBoost coupe, and a 12% improve for the convertible.

As has been the case with the six prior generations, the 2024 Ford Mustang sends energy to the again wheels. Meanwhile, consumers can have a alternative of both a 6-speed handbook or a 10-speed automated.

Safety and Technology

The twin digital shows comprise essentially the most readily obvious tech replace to the seventh-generation they usually use so-called “unreal gaming technology” to ship high-res imagery and spectacular animation. Ford has performed a stable job of programming the interface. It’s straightforward to study and engaging to the attention. It additionally makes it potential to customise all method of car operate, from the audio and navigation techniques to the gauge show.

There are a number of USB plugs and an elective smartphone wi-fi charger. Ford has made each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto normal on all fashions of the 2024 Mustang. And you should utilize each the Ford Streaming and Amazon Alexa options to not solely regulate automobile settings however to do issues like remotely open your storage door or activate your property lightning.

The new Mustang additionally permits smartphone-style over-the-air updates to a lot of its onboard software program.

As for security, the 2024 pony automobile expands on its listing of sensible security expertise. These embody normal options like ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keep help, and energetic cruise management. There are quite a few choices, as nicely. The Performance Pack even incorporates an energetic pothole mitigation system to melt impacts.

Driving Impressions

When the sixth-generation Mustang debuted in 2015 it took many followers — and reviewers — abruptly. We’d anticipated the same old enhance in energy but it surely additionally delivered some much-needed enhancements in trip and dealing with. Ford has once more upped the sport with the 2024 version.

No, the gen-6 Mustang doesn’t ship as refined a trip as you’d anticipate from, say, a Porsche 718, but it surely’s notably higher in dealing with than the outgoing mannequin, with its improved steering and stiffer physique making for extra predictable cornering. My time on the autocross setup confirmed the 2024 mannequin readily lived as much as expectations.

As you’d anticipate, there are some trade-offs with the convertible. Buyers must resolve whether or not they need peak dealing with or commerce off a little bit of physique stiffness for the flexibility to really feel the wind of their faces.

One of the extra attractive options on the 2024 Ford Mustang — each EcoBoost and GT fashions — comes with the Performance Pack choice. Working with Vaughn Gittin Jr., the legendary king of the Formula Drift sequence, the pack introduces a first-ever drift brake. Build up some pace and begin to flip, you pull on the brake to get it to lock up the again wheels, amidst a cloud of rubber smoke.

It takes a little bit of time to get the complete cling of the drift brake, however when you do, it’s a blast to make use of. Just anticipate to burn via tires somewhat quicker than earlier than.

Wrap Up

The unique ’64-1/2 Mustang was a revolutionary introduction and, almost 60 years later, the horse automobile stays — at the least by Ford’s definition — the world’s bestselling sports activities automobile.

That mentioned, the world is quickly altering. Sports automobile gross sales have steadily declined. But so have the aggressive choices. The Chevrolet Camaro is in its ultimate 12 months, as are the Dodge Charger and Challenger. Meanwhile, Ford has tailored to altering instances with the introduction of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E which additionally adopted an SUV physique fashion. That EV is anticipated to outsell the Mustang coupe for the primary time this 12 months, and the hole is probably going solely to widen within the years forward.

But for individuals who need a basic pony automobile, the 2024 Ford Mustang delivers just about the whole lot Ford has promised. It’s fashionable, sporty and loaded with new options. And, at a beginning value of simply $30,920 for the Mustang EcoBoost coupe, you get important worth in your hard-earned {dollars}.

2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost — Frequently Asked Questions