2015 Mustang: The Pony Car rides again

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — It’s only fitting that Ford used the 50^th anniversary of the Mustang to unwrap the sixth generation of the car whose galloping pony logo has become an American automotive icon.

The 1964 Mustang was compact, sporty and affordable. Its success gave rise to competitors – the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Pontiac Firebird – and the whole segment soon became known as pony cars.

Restyling an icon is a delicate art. Designers need to move the car forward while retaining design cues that link it to the past. Ford has succeeded in creating a Mustang that is better in every way. It looks great, has three engine choices and an upgraded interior. It is notably free from wind noise and handles deftly because of the new independent rear suspension.

Kemal Curic, born in Bosnia, worked at Ford of Europe when one of his designs was chosen as the basis for the new Mustang. The car looks low and purposeful. The bold grille and bulging fenders are recognizably Mustang, as are the individual, three-dimensional taillights that blink sequentially as turn signals.

Ford would only say the coupe would be on sale “soon,” with no exact date given. A convertible should be available around the end of the year.

The 2015 Mustang has a starting price of $23,600 with the 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower V-6 but for $1,570 more you can get the turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that generates a phenomenal 310 horsepower and delivers 32 miles per gallon in highway testing. Power hungry folks will love the 5.0-liter V-8 that packs 435 galloping ponies.

Auto writers were invited to drive pre-production models last week in Southern California. We could drive the EcoBoost four-cylinder or the V-8. For anyone with even a modicum of gasoline in their veins, these are the only two engines to consider.

While horsepower is seductive (more is usually better) I was thoroughly charmed by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four. Equipped with the Premium package, the sticker price was $33,480.

Back in the day, pure racing engines were lauded for delivering 100 horsepower per liter, but this sparkling gem produces a prodigious 137 horsepower per liter and does so while meeting stringent emission requirements and delivering as much as 32 miles per gallon in highway driving (according to EPA figures). Think racehorse that hardly eats.

Extracting this much power from such a small engine required deft engineering. The twin-scroll turbocharger is fed by individual exhaust pipes from each exhaust valve. That lets each pulse of exhaust reach the turbo without interference from neighboring cylinders, and that in turn makes the turbo respond more quickly. There is almost no discernible turbo lag.

On the first segment of our drive we had to endure crowded urban streets until we reached the Angeles Crest Highway. This twisted snake of a highway is legendary throughout the automotive world for the way it tests a vehicle’s handling, and it’s an oasis of mountain driving. With less weight over the front wheels, the EcoBoost Mustang felt lithe and balanced. A flick of the automatic’s paddle shifters initiated quick downshifts for corners, and the engine was eager to power out with a pleasing rush.

The car can be equipped with selectable drive modes — Normal, Sport +, Track and Winter. Sport + was most fun in the mountains as it tightens up the suspension and makes shifts crisper. The independent rear axle keeps the rear tires planted, especially in choppy turns.

The performance pack of 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes, stiffer springs and firmer chassis tuning would have sharpened handling even more, but at the expense of a choppier ride.

I had a short drive in a 5.0-liter GT with the performance pack. The buttoned-down ride was better in fast turns but less compliant, and less comfortable, in everyday driving. The GT’s throbbing V-8 and six-speed manual were exhilarating, but it is hard to safely unleash its power potential on anything less than a track. For everyday use, I would pick the EcoBoost.

Electronic controls are abundant in the new Mustang, witness the four drive modes, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor and backup camera. An interesting twist is the availability of a line lock. A line lock applies the front brakes but not the rear, enabling drivers to do burnouts to warm up the rear tires for maximum traction during standing starts. Using line lock at the drag strip, however, could possibly void the warranty.

Inside, the Mustang’s cabin has a familiar look but the level of materials has been upgraded. The seats are deep and supportive, and the optional Recaro seats in the GT were outstanding. Various trim packages add adaptive cruise control, upgraded audio systems, navigation and MyFord Touch. Sync, or Bluetooth connectivity, is standard.

Price

Base prices start at $23,600 for the V-6, $25,170 for the EcoBoost four-cylinder, $29,170 for the EcoBoost Premium, $32,100 for the V-8 GT and $36,100 for the GT Premium.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

This story was originally published September 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "2015 Mustang: The Pony Car rides again."