FREEDOM REIMAGINED: Meet Ford’s Seventh Generation 2024 Mustang

Written by Nicole Ellan James

Over the last 60 years, the Ford Mustang has poised itself to be fast, fun and affordable. It embodies freedom, and with endless possibilities for personalization, Mustang owners tend to develop a strong bond with their cars.

The all-new seventh-generation has an edgier design than previous generations and more options from the factory for customization than ever before. With new engines, a sleek fighter-jet-inspired digital cockpit and an electronic drift brake, the 2024 Mustang has proved to be an already immaculate car with endless potential.

On the outside, the Mustang’s upper grille draws inspiration from the original 1960s design and classic styling cues like the tri-bar LED headlights and tri-bar taillights. The vehicle also has a low, horizontal brow across the front, making it appear lower and wider. Each model in the 2024 lineup has its own unique front end. The GT variant has a larger, more aggressive grille opening engineered to allow increased airflow, power and performance. It’s further optimized by adding new hood vents and a redesigned front splitter. At the rear, it has an extended deck similar to the first-generation Mustang and a redesigned diffuser for improved aerodynamics. Because Ford knows you’re going to take it to the track, the Mustang team also altered the roofline from the last generation to allow drivers wearing a helmet to quickly enter and exit the vehicle.

Mustang’s newest release offers 11 exterior color options, including two new colors: Vapor Blue and Yellow Splash. Other opportunities for personalization from the factory include new stripe colors and designs and colored seat belts. An optional Bronze Design Series appearance package is available for the 2024 Mustang, which adds Sinister bronze alloy wheels with bronze badges. This package is available for both EcoBoost and GT models, with or without the optional Performance pack.

Until the introduction of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Mustang has always been powered by an internal combustion engine. While many other automakers are moving away from internal combustion vehicles, Ford opted to continue using internal combustion engines and redesigned a new fourth generation of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine seen in the GT models. During the Mustang Stampede launch event for the new model, it was announced the V8 will have over 480 horsepower. The automaker also equipped the engine with a dual air intake box and dual-throttle body design that helps minimize induction loss by enabling higher air flow rates.

The EcoBoost model received a new, 4-cylinder turbocharged 2.3-liter powertrain. The GT model comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission that has standard rev-matching to help hold the engine rpm when the clutch is engaged and retain peak torque between manual gear changes. Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission is also available for either platform. As an added bonus for those who love to hear Mustangs roar, the 2024 model includes a remote rev feature that allows the car’s engine to be revved remotely using the key fob.

When sitting inside the car, the driver feels like they have been transported straight into a video game with two flowing and curved displays. The displays can be customized and changed when engaged in different drive modes — “Normal,” “Sport,” “Slippery,” “Drag” and “Track” —plus a customizable setting with up to six individual profiles tailored to the driver’s front view.

When personalizing the drive mode settings, the car’s current setup is displayed on the center screen as a real-time graphic rendering, thanks to the same Unreal Engine 3D-creation tool used in video games like Assetto Corsa Competizione, Fortnite and Assassin’s Creed. Drivers can adjust the settings by swiping the graphic to virtually rotate the car and can also select different cluster colors or opt for classic Mustang gauges.

One of the most innovative features of the seventh-generation Mustang is the electronic drift brake. This new component unlocks the rear-wheel-drive drifting capability of a Mustang with the visual appeal and functionality of a traditional, mechanical hand brake. It is engineered for novice drivers to develop their drift skills while providing expert drivers with a competition-ready system. The drift brake comes standard with the Performance pack on all Mustang models.

Concluding the new model launch event, Ford debuted the Mustang Dark Horse, a new nameplate that packs even more performance than the GT. It was announced that the Dark Horse will also come in different variants geared towards specific racing applications. Building on the Dark Horse performance will be the Ford Mustang GT3 and GT4 race cars. Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, said the new Mustang will be entered in the legendary Le Mans race and will “go like hell.”

The 2024 Mustang is an innovative continuation of a beloved American muscle car, and Barrett-Jackson looks forward to seeing one cross its auction block.