The 2024 Ford Mustang finally goes on sale during the summer of 2023. The S650 Ford Mustang represents the seventh-generation flagship muscle car from Ford, arriving precisely 60 years on from the original love-child of Lee Iacocca – the 1964 Ford Mustang. Prices start at $30,920 for the EcoBoost-powered four-cylinder Mustang. However, the price that counts is $41,945 for the 2024 Ford Mustang GT armed with its all-new albeit familiar 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine.
Ford looks to stand alone with the 2024 Ford Mustang. Their usual sparring partners from Dodge and Chevrolet have yet to pledge to a following generation for their current Camaro and Challenger muscle cars. Both General Motors and Chrysler look set on an EV future, whereas Ford, well, Ford, has confirmed at least one more gasoline-powered muscle car. Be that as it may, let’s look at how the 2024 Ford Mustang stacks up against its current competition.
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10 The 2024 Ford Mustang Fourth-Gen Coyote V8 Engine
It isn't just the Mustang entering a new era, but also the Coyote V8 engine within. The 2024 Ford Mustang will draw power from one of the best engines in the world, the Coyote V8 engine, with some added upgrades. Ford has fitted an 80 mm dual throttle body to the new engine, directing air into the all-new dual air intake box. To deal with the extra airflow, Ford has extended the camshaft lift across the exhaust valves, giving the all-new Coyote V8 room to breathe.
This extra airflow takes the Coyote V8 engine from 450 hp to 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Without a clear competitor from Chevrolet or Dodge, the new 2024 Ford Mustang GT is the most powerful V8-powered base muscle car for 2024. The Camaro LT1 remains at 455 hp, while the Dodge Challenger looks set to retire. Sadly, not enough is known about the 2024 Dodge Charger EV, apart from a suspected 455-590 hp from a range of EV powertrains.
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9 The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
For the S650 2024 Ford Mustang, Ford has unleashed a track-focused model. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse takes power figures up to 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse features additional vents and a steeper wing to compliment the added power – an aggressive classic muscle car in the making.
The track-focused 2024 Ford Mustang sees further upgrades to the iconic Coyote V8. Ford uprated the crankshaft alongside, adding forged piston connecting rods from the GT500 to handle the added pressure. Ford also reinforced the camshafts to handle the extended 7,500 rpm redline on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
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8 The 2024 Ford Mustang Sticks With Combustion
Thankfully, Ford has stuck with the combustion engine for the 2024 Ford Mustang. Both the Coyote V8 and EcoBoost engines have received upgrades before continuing life aboard the iconic muscle car. Yet, things look different over at GM and Chrysler.
Despite the Camaro being an extremely reliable car today, Chevrolet looks set to retire its iconic muscle car post-2024. However, if there's a future for the Camaro, it will likely arrive on the General Motors “Ultium” EV platform. Over at Chrysler, the Dodge Charger muscle car will join the growing EV fleet, and rumors of an electric Challenger continue to gain pace. That got us thinking, will the 2024 Ford Mustang be the final ICE-powered muscle car?
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7 The 2024 Ford Mustang Aggressive Looks
The S550 Ford Mustang has remained rather tame since its 2014 release. Ford has taken the existing recipe and sharpened the edges for the 2024 Mustang, featuring a '60s-inspired horizontal grille alongside an optimized roofline for race helmets.
The new design cues are a subtle hint towards the 2024 Ford Mustang's GT3 and GT4 racing variants. The most significant difference, however, can be seen between the EcoBoost and GT trim levels. Ford has retained a rounded look for the EcoBoost car, whereas the Mustang GT receives a sharper grille and less rounded hood. The added hood vent forces the 2024 Ford Mustang GT to stand out ahead of its punchy four-pot cousin.
6 The 2024 Ford Mustang Interior “Cockpit”
Unlike its rivals, the Ford Mustang “fighter jet cockpit” relies further on its digital interface. Most cabin controls feature within the incredible 13.2-inch infotainment system, as well as the steering wheel, despite Ford retaining a physical volume control. The 2024 Mustang features nine buttons on either side of the wheel as the carmaker moves the muscle car formula into a new age.
Perhaps the coolest feature is the 1987-1993 "fox body'' overlay option for the 12.4-inch instrument cluster. Owners can feature the classic white font of the much loved fox body Mustang gauges. Activating the headlights switches the font to green, just like the Mustangs of old, satisfying the traditionalist.
Ford is also looking forwards; video game nerds of the millennium will love Ford's new partnership with Unreal Engine, which sees breathtaking 3D animated graphics featured across the 2024 Ford Mustang's large infotainment center.
5 The 2024 Ford Mustang Performance Facts And Figures
The 2024 Ford Mustang arrives with the all-new but familiar 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, alongside the iconic Coyote V8. The entry-level four-pot produces 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque and now arrives exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Whereas the Ford Mustang GT comes with the 480 hp Coyote V8 generating 415 lb-ft of torque, alongside the added power is a six-speed manual transmission as standard. Ford's indestructible muscle car, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT, will likely achieve 0-60 mph in around 4.5 seconds, just like its predecessor. Both the EcoBoost and GT trim levels can receive optional performance packages.
Now for the elephant in the room. The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse produces 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. The track-focused muscle car is suspected to reach 60 mph in around 3.8-4 seconds, similar to the BMW M3. The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is the second most powerful naturally aspirated Mustang, sitting just shy of the limited GT350s with 526 ponies.
4 The 2024 Ford Mustang Performance Pack
The 2024 Ford Mustang Performance Pack is available across EcoBoost and GT models. The GT receives a Torsen limited-slip differential and tower brace, as well as a set of 390x355 Brembo Brakes. Further options, such as the MagneRide active suspension and active exhaust, are optional upgrades for the 2024 Ford Mustang. Ford's active exhaust system takes power from 480 to 486 hp.
Ford's efforts on the 2024 Ford Mustang Performance Pack allows the muscle car to produce more power than the 2023 BMW M3. The Bavarian performance sedan produces 479 hp from its famous S58 BMW engine, failing to match the all-American muscle car's 486 ponies.
3 The 2024 Ford Mustang Remote Rev Functionality
The 2024 Ford Mustang features the carmaker's remote rev functionality. Owners can ignite their Coyote V8 from a key fob to display their muscle car's harmonious tone.
Let’s be honest, this is purely a Cars & Coffee related feature. 2024 Mustang owners require the active exhaust system alongside the 10-speed automatic gearbox to use the remote rev function.
2 The 2024 Ford Mustang Electronic Drift Brake
Another addition to the performance pack is the “Drift Brake.” Ford's additional hoon-assisted function is technically an e-brake optimized for drifting. Think of the Focus RS “Drift Mode” or the “Line Lock” feature available on the S550 Ford Mustang.
The e-brake functions as a standard handbrake during daily use. Unleashing its wild side requires “Track Mode” to be activated. Ford has developed the electronic drift brake to behave like a traditional hydraulic brake; the e-brake instantly engages and disengages when lifted, providing a drift experience not found on the Ford Mustang's drag-focused Hemi rivals.
1 The 2024 Ford Mustang Is Littered With Tech
The 2024 Ford Mustang arrives with the company’s Ford Co-Pilot360. The Co-Pilot360 system has incredible features such as Speed Sign Recognition, Stop And Go, Adaptive Cruise Control, and multiple driving aids such as Lane Centering Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, and Evasive Steer Assist. Customers who opt for the Performance Pack also receive the Active Pothole Mitigation feature, forcing your 2024 S650 Mustang to adjust the suspension according to multiple variables, such as steering and braking.
The 2024 Ford Mustang also champions the FordPass App. Owners can lock and unlock their Mustang from the comfort of their phones and start/stop the engine. The FordPass app can also locate your vehicle and provide health and status checkups on the go. The 2024 Ford Mustang's technology alone matches up to its pioneering competitors, such as Tesla, all while its traditional competitors continue to twiddle their thumbs.
Sources: GM.com, Ford Media