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2024 Ford Mustang: compared to the current generation…

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These are the first photos I’ve ever seen of the all-new Ford Mustang for 2024.
And we get to see the convertible too!
 I’m actually quite disappointed. I don’t see how this can be called an all-new generation. Sure the body panels are new. But in the same way, the 2010 model was “new”.  It looked new but was actually just a reskinned version of the previous one.
This 2024 looks like a reskinned version of the one we’ve had since 2015.
I also don’t think it looks as good as the current one.
The second pic shows how good the current Mustang still looks after all these years.
While the new one looks like a cross between the current model and a BMW 4 series. (Especially in that nail polish blue color)
It’s even worst inside. Sure the dashboard is all new. With the usual double screens. But no effort has been made to make it look more like a Mustang interior. The vents are a bit weird and the switches under the middle vents just look odd and a bit cheap.
And most of the console seems exactly the same. Even the door panels are still very similar.
No specs yet. But the engine choice is rumored to be the same too. With no hybrid or AWD available (Unless there’s a big surprise tonight)
I understand Ford is spending almost all their current R&D money on SUVs and EVs. The Mustang, being their last car, probably got what was left. Crumbs.
After all these years, it’s really too bad. I think this will age very quickly in a market that will soon be drastically different than it was back in 2015…

 

Conversation 9 comments

  1. Vince – I don't agree with you on this one.

    I think that Ford did a nice job of cleaning up the front end. And the rear now looks a lot more dynamic.

    Inside – while there's nothing really groundbreaking, it definitely brings the Mustang into the modern era.

    As everyone knows, the audience for this car is now a dieing group of (mostly) old guys. So it wasn't likely that Ford would be completely overhauling the Mustang.

    Doing that would probably alienate that crowd.

  3. Your right, I'm not very impressed. Don't like the new gaping grill. Anything new in the interior seems like a downgrade. My friend just got a brand new GT convertible. I think he made the right move not to wait for the new one.

  5. Excellent post!
    I'm also disappointed at this point in time, having owned 12 new Mustangs over the years.
    What is all new here? Yet again they just opened their CAD, cleaned and readjusted, and here is the result. It's just a mid-lifecycle refresh… what is new? Same as you referenced in 2010, which was just a dumbed-down DEW-98. And even the 2015 S550, with a bigger budget, was still basically the same underneath – just with a slightly updated front suspension and a much-needed IRS (the mules were easily built on the previous gen) – look underneath at the floorpan, all the hard points, etc. Even the first design of the 2015 body had the same rear side windows (as shown in Ford's own design sketches) and was only changed late in the process (thick B-pillar remains). This was my statement to the exec team at Ford's press intro and all I got was a very small shake yes of their heads.
    Since the decision was made not use CD6, which would have had all sorts of advantages, the bigger question here is what's underneath? Was there budget for major suspension updates for example, like there was with S550? CD6 would have gotten us aluminum shock towers, firewall, and even the Aviator's double a-arm front suspension (making for some much-needed weight savings in this 3900 pound pig). CD6's rear IRS is suspiciously like the Mustangs – will S650 consolidate the multiple versions of S550 rear suspension (aka 3 different versions of rear brakes, two different sets of rear lower control arms, and on and on)? Are there at least geometry changes from learned experience?
    Without major functional updates and some weight loss, there isn't anything here in S650 to really get excited about. Another 20 horses – if that is even true – doesn't mean anything real (except for poseurs) when the Mustang weighs so much.
    There was initially rumors about AWD and hybrid versions of the 2.3 and 5.0. AWD would have added much needed traction (the reason the GT500 isn't all that fast in 0-60, and can even be beat by the Mach-E GT+ or easily by a Tesla 3/Y Performance) but also a heckuva lot of weight overall and to the already poor weight balance. The hybrid engines would be helpful (lots of low-end torque thanks to the small electric motor in series , as well as being much cleaner), but also even heavier. Sad to see if they are indeed cancelled… and if they are then it implies the car will go full electric sooner rather than later (as the Challenger is and is rumored for a potential Camaro). That rumor says 2008. Time to face reality as it is inevitable… and legislated. SO, as far as we can see (and we won’t know for sure until they show up in mid-2023), this I s a mid0-cycle update and not “all new”.
    As to what’s right? Two things gone: any pretense of a side scope and the out-dated dashboard. Kudos for those.

  6. This is standard procedure at Ford for the Mustang – 10 year product cycle with a mid cycle refresh. Ford abandoned the idea of an all new chassis for the 2024, so they refreshed the existing chassis, just like Nissan did with the Z, Lexus did with the IS, etc.

    We all know the next gen Mustang with be an EV, so why expect Ford to shell out for a new chassis for a short product cycle?

  7. Sharper edges, squintier eyes, an 'improved' but less distinctive interior.

    I still prefer the look of old (current) model, but this refresh is pretty much what I expected.

  8. A few people have already made the points I was planning to address.. but I think the overall plan was to update and refine what was already working for Mustang buyers, while making some design cues less obviously Mustang and therefore more appealing to the Camaro and Challenger customers that will be looking for something to replace their old ones.. since they soon won't be finding anything at Chevy or Dodge. In fact, the new rear quarter window and softer rear fender line on that blue one looks an awful lot like the current Camaro.

  9. I'll stock with what I said – this is not all-new, not at all. Another mild update. And until we know what's really going on in weight control… that's the biggest problem. Everything that was shown adds weight. Where did they take any out?

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