PHOTOS: The Ford Bronco Is Back And Better Than Ever (Plus Hidden Features)
After being absent on the market for over two decades, Ford finally resurrected the beloved Bronco in 2021. This time, the iconic SUV is more capable than ever before. It truly is a proper Bronco reimagined for the 21st century. The automaker also fitted the new Bronco with all kinds of easter eggs and hidden features. Some are hidden in plain sight, while the others are nearly impossible to find. Check out what makes the new Bronco better than any of its predecessors.
A Rail To Secure Your Gear
If you look at the top of the dashboard of the 2021 Ford Bronco, you will quickly notice a rail that runs on top of the dash. You may not make much of it at first, though it is a clever solution to secure any equipment when off-roading.
The rail can be used to secure a GoPro camera when driving across crazy trails, for example. That way, you can film your entire journey without worrying about suction cups falling off the windshield of your Ford Bronco.
The Floor Has A Drainage System
After an adventurous day of off-road exploration, the interior of your vehicle could definitely use a thorough wash. However, most cars can't be washed from the inside as they have no drain points. Luckily, Ford has proposed a clever solution to this annoying problem.
The new Bronco comes equipped with a rubberized floor that's dotted with drain points. You can wash the car inside and out without any worries. Note that this is an optional feature that's not found on every single new Bronco. Make sure the drain points are open before you begin washing the floor!
The Mirrors Are Mounted On The Cowl
Adding frameless, removable doors caused a new issue for the team developing the Ford Bronco. The design team had to figure out a convenient place to mount the mirrors of the vehicle so that they could still be used even if the doors were off. Clearly, they had to be fitted somewhere else than the doors themselves.
Ford came up with a rather ingenious solution and mounted the mirrors on the cowl, as opposed to the doors. That way, you can still navigate safely even when the doors are taken off.
The Pull-Out Tray Looks Familiar
Paying homage to the original Bronco was most certainly a key point for the design team when developing the all-new Ford Bronco. The team has indeed done a wonderful job, as the SUV looks like a modern version of the iconic first-gen Bronco. It is the little details that make the big difference, just like the design of the pull-out tray.
The pull-out tray located in the rear cargo area is designed just like the one in the original Bronco. The design features horizontal lines as well as the word Ford embossed in the right corner, just like the one found in its predecessor.
The Bronco Has An Inclinometer
One of the primary reasons why a car buyer would pick the brand new Ford Bronco over its predecessors is the comfort of having an array of modern features. A large 12-inch touchscreen found in the middle of the dashboard is the heart of the Bronco's infotainment system. While it has hundreds of helpful features, the inclinometer is one of the coolest ones of them all.
The inclinometer is especially helpful when off-roading. What's more, if you take a closer look at the meter itself you may spot another easter egg. The car displayed in the middle of the meter is the original, first-gen Ford Bronco.
"Lift Me Baby" Pressed Into Fender Liners
The majority of automakers don't acknowledge aftermarket modifications done to their cars, even if they are beloved by the car community. Ferrari, for example, has a history of suing car owners for overly modifying their products. Ford displays a completely different attitude towards aftermarket modifications when it comes to the all-new Bronco.
Ford added the words Lift Me Baby pressed into the fender liners, as many Bronco owners will modify their vehicles to make them even more capable off-road. One of the most common aftermarket modifications is going to be a lift kit that improves the ground clearance.
Trail 1-Pedal Drive
In order to make sure that the new Bronco was tough enough to bear its iconic nameplate, Ford had to prepare the SUV for the toughest off-road scenarios possible. Without a doubt, rock crawling can easily fall within this category.
The automaker introduced a 1-Pedal Drive system to make crawling easier than ever. The driver can control the speed of the vehicle using only the accelerator pedal. When 1-Pedal Drive is engaged, the Bronco will come to a complete stop as soon as the driver's foot is off the accelerator.
See All Obstacles With The 360-Degree Camera System
The new Ford Bronco is all about taking the off-roading experience to a whole new level. While the automaker included an array of standard off-roading features, such as high ground clearance or different drive modes curated for various types of terrain, the SUV is also loaded with high-tech features that should be standard on a modern off-roader. Among them is a 360-degree camera system.
The camera system accessed from the infotainment system offers panoramic 360-degree views. That way, you can see any obstacles around you that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Trail Sights
The all-new Ford Bronco was designed with utility in mind. One of the car's clever features is the Trail Sights, which is a set of raised edges on each side of the hood. That way, you can navigate around trails a lot easier. The Trail Sights are more than just a design feature, too.
Apart from improving navigating around narrow trails, the Trail Sights double as tie-down points. Drivers can use the Trail Sights to strap all kinds of stuff to. Remember, their maximum capacity is 150 pounds.
Spartan Design Removable Roof
Removable doors are a cool feature of the Ford Bronco, that's for sure. However, the spartan SUV comes with a removable roof too, which is arguably even cooler!
The roof, which is reportedly easy to take off, is a great way to open up the cabin when off-roading. There are no elements of the frame that run on the roof between the front and rear seats, allowing for the ultimate open-air experience. Driving with the roof removed would give you the same experience as driving a full-on convertible. What more could you possibly ask for?
Hidden Lasso Icons
Another easter egg that's hidden in the rear cargo area, perhaps less obvious than the large bucking horse that decorates the floor, is the little lasso. In fact, there are four of them hidden in the back of the all-new Ford Bronco.
A lasso decorates each of the four tie-down hoops that are designed to secure any items stored in the rear. While the loops are already a clever feature in itself, the engraved lassos are a clever extra touch that can easily be overlooked.
Bronco On The Shifter
This easter egg can only be seen in the 10-speed automatic variant of the Ford Bronco. Buyers who opt for the 7-speed manual version of the car will have to sacrifice one decorative feature hidden on the shifter. You guessed it, it's yet another bronco!
This is one of the first bucking horses you'll find as the owner of the all-new Ford Bronco. A small horse is engraved into the aluminum part of the shifter, right above the American flag.
Bronco Torx Screws
Much of the Bronco's interior is held in place by shiny Torx bolts made of aluminum. This type of screw has become a standard in the auto industry, ever since its introduction in the late 1960s. Automakers often choose to use Torx screws as they can be tightened harder and therefore be more secure than regular flat-head screws.
The 2021 Bronco does not use regular Torx screws. Instead, the ones found in the car are actually Bronco-branded screws. Make sure you don't lose them, as finding a replacement could prove to be expensive!
Bronco Emblem In The Trunk
It would take a while to find all of the bucking horses hidden throughout the new Ford Bronco. Some of them, however, are rather easy to find. The illuminative bronco that decorates the rear cargo area can quickly be spotted when opening the trunk.
This bronco sits between two LED cargo lights that are directly next to the 12V power outlet, located on the right-hand side of the rear cargo area. The fact that it lights up with all the other interior lights makes this easter egg even easier to find.
A Trail Maps App For Offroading
There is no doubt that the new Ford Bronco was designed with off-roading fun in mind, just like the predecessors of this capable SUV. One of the features that ensure the driver has plenty of off-roading fun is also a part of the sophisticated infotainment system.
The Trail Maps app consists of over a thousand different trail maps, as well as off-roading trail guides. These can be added to your overall navigation. The Trail Maps are available on the standard 8-inch screen, as well as the optional 12-inch one.
The Bronco's Removable Doors
Removable doors are not all that uncommon in the off-roading world. The doors on the Jeep Wrangler, for example, can be taken off without much of a hassle. The all-new Bronco takes the concept of removable doors to a whole new level, making it easier than ever before.
The frameless doors of the new Bronco are reportedly very easy to be taken on and off. When off-roading, you can store the doors in the rear cargo area. Don't worry about scratching them, as Ford has included a set of protective door bags. Once you're done off-roading, simply take the doors out of the bags and put them back on the vehicle!
The Headlights Pay Homage
The design language of the all-new Ford Bronco deeply resembles the original model from the 1960s, and the headlights are no exception. Although the lights look modern, their circular shape pays homage to the ones found on the first-gen Bronco.
On the first-gen Ford Bronco, the front fascia was decorated with two circular headlights. The small amber signals were fitted on each side of the Ford emblem on the front grille, directly next to the headlights. The new Bronco features a similar design. The daytime running lights cut through the circular headlights, which gives them a sleek and modern look.
Center Console Badge
This feature is not hidden at all. Instead, the badge located on the center console is very noticeable, therefore it is difficult to classify it as a proper easter egg. Nonetheless, it is a cool decorative piece by Ford that certainly makes for an extra touch.
The badge reads Designed and engineered in Dearborn, MI USA, along with a Ford logo right in the middle. While the Bronco is built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, the vehicle was designed over in Dearborn around 20 miles east of the plant.
The Taillights
Much like the headlights of the all-new Ford Bronco, the car's taillights pay homage to the car's legendary predecessor. The design language of the original Bronco's taillights was carried over to the latest sixth-generation, though the lights received a modern facelift.
The design of the housing resembles the one found in the original Bronco. Naturally, the lights are powered by bright LEDs. The white reverse light, which is hidden within the taillight, is also a tribute to the original Ford Bronco.
Steel Shields For The Underbody
In extreme conditions, even an 11.6-inch ground clearance won't protect the underbody from damages. Ford has made sure that the new Bronco survives all kinds of rough terrain and has equipped each one with steel shields.
The steel shields found on the new Bronco are made specifically to protect the crucial under-body components, such as the engine or the fuel tank, from any damage. Buyers can add the optional side rock rails that can handle the weight of the car in case of a rollover.
The Steering Wheel Emblem No Longer Has The Blue Oval
Some petrolheads may be surprised to hear that the Ford Bronco does not have the Blue Oval logo on the steering wheel. Instead, the American automaker decided to decorate the steering wheel with the bucking horse. Ford has done the same for the Mustang, which features a model-specific pony on the steering wheel and not the Blue Oval.
Interestingly, it has not always been this way. Back in the 60s, the original Bronco proudly wore a Blue Oval on the steering wheel. Up until the discontinuation of the fifth-gen Bronco in 1996, the car featured Ford's logo on the steering wheel.
Advanced 4x4 Drivetrain
A capable four-by-four drivetrain is the core of any capable off-roading vehicle, and the latest sixth-gen Ford Bronco is no different. The team at Ford made sure the new Bronco was capable enough to bear the moniker. Luckily, the car surpassed all of the expectations, even though the bar was already set high.
The 4x4 system on the new Bronco is powered by a two-speed electromechanical transfer case. It adds an auto mode for automatic on-demand engagement between 2H and 4H. Flat towing is possible too, simply lock the transfer case into neutral.
Hidden Bottle Opener
While the Bronco is packed with fun easter eggs, most of them do not really serve any purpose. After all, there isn't much you can do with a horse emblem hidden in the headlight design. A bottle opener that's hidden in the rear cargo area, though? This clever easter egg doubles as a useful feature!
Once you park your 2021 Bronco and open the trunk, you'll find the bottle opener hidden in the tubing of the car's roll cage. It is not the first Ford that's fitted with a hidden bottle opener, either.
Trail Turn Assist
An agile turning radius is essential when dealing with challenging terrain off the beaten path. Once again, Ford has introduced a system made to improve the off-roading capabilities of the all-new Bronco.
When engaged, the Trail Turn Assist system improves the turning radius at low speeds. The system is nearly as ingenious as the science behind it. When the system is engaged, the car will apply the brakes to the inside rear wheel of the Ford Bronco.
The Sasquatch Package
At first, the Sasquatch Package available for the sixth-generation Ford Bronco may seem like any other optional package. Until you take a deeper look into the car's technical specifications, that is. More precisely, you may notice something unusual about the ground clearance from the SUV.
When equipped with the Sasquatch Package and factory-fitted 35" tires, the new Ford Bronco has a ground clearance of 11.6 inches. Apart from being impressive, it is also nearly identical to the ground clearance of the original Bronco Roadster from 1966. Now that is the definition of going the extra mile!
Water Fording
The Badlands variant of the new Ford Bronco features some of the best water-fording capability in its segment. It goes without saying that the ability to cross bodies of water is an absolute must-have on any proper off-roading vehicle, such as the Ford Bronco.
When paired with the optional 35" inch tires, Ford claims that the Bronco can be submerged up to 23.6" underwater. That's over 10 inches more than the ground clearance of the SUV, which is equally impressive.
Horse In The Headlights
The little horse emblem that's hidden deep in the headlight design is not an easy easter egg to spot. In fact, most owners won't know about it at all. You have to know where to look for it!
The horse is hidden on the outer edge of the daytime running light that cuts through the circular headlight. It is not just any horse either, but a bucking horse. Did you know that a bucking horse can also be referred to as the Bronco? That's how the Ford Bronco got its logo, as well as the name.
Wide Array of Accessories
The Ford Bronco has a long history of customization ever since the debut of the first-gen back in the 1960s. The latest 2021 version of the Bronco is no different. In fact, the automaker went the extra mile to make personalizing of the Bronco more complex than ever before.
Ford announced an impressive list of at least 300 different accessories for the new Bronco, all of which are either factory-authorized or factory-developed. The wide array of extra parts includes different mud flaps, floor liners, pet harnesses, and range-extending antennas to name a few.
Mysterious Mountain Range
This is another feature of the new Ford Bronco that's hidden in the rear roll cage of the vehicle, near the previously mentioned bottle opener. There is a piece of plastic with a mountain range embossed on it, as well as the coordinates of a mysterious location at 34.5261 N 116.75685 W. Where do the coordinates lead to?
The coordinates lead to the Johnson Valley in California, which is home to the King of the Hammer race sponsored by Ford. What's more, the SUV was intensely tested throughout this area, too.
The Start Button Looks Familiar
While the new Bronco is packed with various easter eggs all over the interior, this one can be difficult to spot even though it's hidden in plain sight. Take another look at the push-to-start button of the 2021 Ford Bronco. Notice anything familiar?
The shape of the push-to-start button resembles the design of the headlights, complete with a rectangular shape that cuts through the circular light! Although owners of the Bronco will be using the start button every time they turn on the vehicle, it is easy to overlook this clever easter egg.
Trail Control For Cruise Control While Off Roading
This is yet another feature of the new Bronco that is exclusive to the automatic variant of the vehicle. The Trail Control is a clever cruise control system designed for off-road use, which is a standard option on the automatic version of the new Bronco.
Unlike a regular cruise control system, the Trail Control manages throttle and braking at each wheel individually. With the system engaged, the drivers can dedicate all of their attention to navigating through the trails, while the speed is maintained by the vehicle.
Massive Tires From Factory
While Ford is all for the owners slapping aftermarket modifications on their Broncos, the automaker also offers a wide array of optional features fitted right in the factory. Among them is a set of massive 35" tires, ideal for getting through the roughest terrain one could think of.
You wouldn't expect anything less from the 2021 Bronco. Designers went above and beyond to make this highly-anticipated generation extra special straight off the lot.
GOAT
Back in the 60s, Ford began working on a brand new off-roading vehicle. The car was meant to be more capable than any other alternative in its class. The project was internally referred to as the GOAT, short for Goes Over All Terrain. The final product debuted for the 1966 model year as the Ford Bronco. The rest is history.
Ford's recent Built Wild campaign featured a set of photos of the new Bronco in the middle of a trip of goats. The automaker trademarked the acronym, too. In the latest Bronco, the driver can select between different GOAT modes to match the surface of the terrain.
Sync 4
Just like the new Ford Mustang Mach-E Crossover SUV, the redesigned Ford Bronco comes equipped with the latest Sync 4 software for the infotainment system. While much of the Bronco's design pays homage to the original Bronco, the modern infotainment system is a quick reminder that this is indeed a brand new vehicle.
The seamless Sync 4 has any feature a car owner could possibly ask for, including cloud connectivity, natural voice control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability, and a large touchscreen to control all the features.
Off-Road Hero Switches
The higher trim levels of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco come equipped with a handy feature, which is located right in the center of the top of the dashboard. The panel features up to six different switches conveniently located above the touchscreen, all to ensure you stay in control when off-roading.
Thanks to the off-road hero switch pack, the driver can quickly disconnect the stabilizer bar, lock up the front or rear differential, engage Trail Turn Assist, control the electronic stability control or switch on the hazard lights.
An Optional Feature Hides A Campfire Illustration
Just like the previously mentioned bucking horse located on the shifter, this easter egg is exclusive for just one variant of the Bronco. Car buyers have to order the optional slide-out rear cargo panel to get this hidden feature. We'll let you decide whether it's worth it or not.
The slide-out panel comes with a little illustration embossed on a plastic plate. It shows a stick figure enjoying a campfire while sitting on the slide-out tailgate of the original, first-gen Bronco. That's a cute extra touch indeed.
Built Wild
Car buyers can currently choose from six different trim levels of the all-new sixth-generation Ford Bronco. Sadly, the seventh trim known as the First Edition was limited to just 7,000 units. It has completely sold out by now. Nonetheless, there is a variety of other trims to pick from.
While the base model is already extremely versatile, the Big Bend trim adds more features such as a remote start system and a steering wheel wrapped in leather. The Wildtrak is the ultimate variant of the Bronco. It features an upgraded 2.7L Ecoboost powerplant and the Sasquatch Package as standard, among other features.
Original Bronco Under The Fuel Tank Door
This is yet another easter egg that's easy to spot within just days of owning the new Ford Bronco. In fact, every owner will spot this hidden feature as soon as they open the fuel tank door to fill up the Bronco for the first time.
Once you pop the fuel tank door open, you will see an illustration of three original Ford Broncos situated right above the fuel cap. The U13 roadster, U14 half-cab, and U15 wagon are the three original body styles of the Bronco offered by Ford back in the 1960s. What a cool tribute to the car's predecessor!
American Flag On The Shifter (Automatic Only)
You may have noticed another easter egg located on the shifter of the Bronco, right below the previously mentioned bucking horse engraved in the aluminum. The shifter is proudly decorated by the American flag, which sits above the leather stitching on the shifter.
The all-new Bronco is perhaps as American as a modern vehicle can get. The SUV is made primarily for the North American market, and it is assembled and designed in the US. Note that the flag is only engraved on the automatic shifter.
The First Generation (1964-1973)
The Ford Mustang was named after a World War II fighter plane. The first generation Mustang was described by Ford as "the working man's Thunderbird," with a starting price of around $2,3000 which equates to approximately $19,000 a day. Even before their release, they became instantly popular among the public.
One early Mustang buyer supposedly slept at a Ford showroom while they were waiting for their check to clear. This way, they could drive home their new Mustang as soon as possible. Some things haven't changed apparently.
The Meaning Behind The Mustang Logo
The Mustang logo was thought up by automobile designer, Philip Thomas Clark.The vehicle's logo depicts a Mustang horse riding from right to left, sometimes in front of a red, white, and blue banner meant to symbolize the American flag. However, there may be deeper meaning behind the seemingly simplistic logo.
For one, the horse has always had a strong connection with the American West, but that's not all. According to some, the horse represents the idea of America's ideology of Manifest Destiny and our expansion West, like how much of our country was founded.
Mustang Number One Was Sold To A Canadian
As it turns out, Mustang Number One was accidentally sold to a Canadian. The "Wimbledon White" Mustang convertible had the serial number 5F08F100001 (AKA Mustang No. 1). It was a pre-production model built in Dearborn, Michigan that was not to be sold and was only to be used for promotional purposes.
However, Canadian Eastern Airline pilot Stanley Tucker talked a dealer in St. John's Newfoundland into letting him buy it. Ford spent two years trying to get it back and even promised him car number one million which he finally gave in to. The original car can now be seen in the Henry Ford Museum.
Introduction To The Public
The first generation Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the car gave way to a new breed of automobile known as the "pony car." The Mustang's look with the long hood and the short deck was wildly appealing to people and created a lot of attention for Ford.
Although it began manufacturing in March, it was released to the public in April as a hardtop as well as a convertible with the fastback version available in August. The car officially first introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964. It was perched in the observation deck, where people could actually drive it!
The First Generation In Popular Culture
Something that helped the first-generation Mustang become so appealing and popular among the masses was how often it was showcased in popular culture. It has even been referred to as a popular culture touchstone. In 1964, the car made one of its first major big-screen appearances in the hit James Bond film Goldfinger.
Everybody knows that if James Bond likes a car, you probably should too. The car was also in Steve McQueen's Bullit as well as numerous other films of the time. Even today, the car is commonly seen in movies such as the Fast and Furious franchise.
Giving It A Little More Speed
The introduction of the Mustang was the most success launch in Ford's history. The company wanted to keep the ball rolling, so it began designing larger versions of the vehicle for the 1967 model. Between 1967 and 1973, the Mustang grew in size, except it was losing power since they weren't increasing the engine along with the extra mass.
The exterior was then lifted up, giving room for big block engines underneath the hood. The car now had a new style including larger engines and a thicker crash pad. The cars released during this period included the GT and Grande options.
The Twister Specials
In 1969, Ford released a limited number of 1970 Twister Specials strictly in Kansas-area dealerships. Only 96 were released, and were based on the super-fast and powerful Mach 1. The Twister Special had drag pack suspension with either a Super Cobra Jet Ram Air engine or the 351 ci Cleveland V8.
The cars were released with a black hood stripe and a tornado decal in order to be easily distinguished from others. Of the Twisters that are still around today, only 18 feature the 351 engine, and the cars are known to go from more than $100,000 at automotive auctions.
The Second Generation (1974-1978)
Lee Iaccoca was one of the leaders of the launch of the first generation and took over the company as president in 1970. In 1974, he told his engineering team that he wanted to build a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle that was inspired by the Ford Maverick but was then changed to the Ford Pinto subcompact.
The car that was produced was the second generation, or Mustang II. The car was released just months after the 1973 oil crisis which made its size and fuel efficiency able to compete with imported cars like the Capri and Celica.
The Car Wasn't As Well-Received
While this new model was smaller, it was actually heavier with all of the new equipment needed in order to achieve more gas mileage and meet the new U.S. emission and safety regulations. Unsurprisingly, this reduced the vehicle's speed and performance which turned customers away who were looking for a muscle car.
In the picture above, we can see a 1975 Mustang II with an MPG insignia on the fender to prove its efficiency. The device in the window was used in test drives to prove that this model could achieve 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Third Generation (1979-1993)
In 1979, Ford began producing its third generation of Mustangs on the "Fox Platform," giving this generation the nickname of "Fox" or "Foxbody" Mustangs. Changes were made to create an even longer car in order to fit more passengers. The styles that were released included hatchback, convertible, coupe, and notchback.
The front of the car also varied depending on the year as well as the trim levels. In the different variations of the third generation, the headlights also changed from four separate headlights to the "aero" style which had a rounded shape and were flush with each other.
Decline In Sales
Unfortunately, during the 1980s, Ford saw a decrease in their sales on Mustangs for a few reasons. One of the main was increasing fuel prices. With declining sales not being an option, Ford worked hard to fix the issue that might have been the undoing of the age of the Mustang.
They decided to develop a new Mustang from the Mazda MX-6. Mustang lovers revolved at the notion of this, complaining that taking away the V8 option for new models would be a disgrace to the car. This new tactic led to some major changes to the front of the models in 1987.
The Fourth Generation (1994-2004)
In November 1993, Ford introduced their first versions for the fourth generation of the Mustang. This model exhibited some major design changes, although it was based on the rear-wheel drive of the Fox platform. The new body was based on designs from past models.
Then, in 1999, an even sleeker variation was released with "Edge" styling, which allowed for larger wheel arches and even sharper contours in the body. While it may have taken on a totally different look from the models in previous decades, it was still one of the most popular cars of the 1990s and early 2000s.
First Model To Be Sold In Australia
The fourth generation Mustang was also the first-ever to be sold in Australia between 2001 and 2002. While being sold in Australia its main competition was against the Pontiac GTO. One of the main reasons it was never sold in Australia was because the Mustang had never been designed or created for right-hand-driving, and to mass produce them in such a way would be a waste of manpower and materials.
So, in order to at least get a few of them on the Australian roads, Ford Australia contacted Tickford Vehicle Engineering to convert 250 versions of the model to meet Australian design rules.
The Fifth Generation (2005-2014)
In 2004, Ford introduced the 2005, fifth generation Mustang at the 2004 North American International Car Show. What was interesting about the fifth generation was that it went back to its roots, taking many of its design aspects from older models going all the way back to the 1960s.
The re-design of this new model of Mustang was dubbed as "retro-futurism" by Ford's Senior Vice President of Design, J. Mays. It was the perfect design strategy as technology was becoming more and more prominent while people were still fascinated with all things vintage.
Fifth Generation Specs
While the design may have been inspired by more retro models, that was not the case for the cars' technology and mechanics. Between 2005 and 2010, the base model had a 210 HP cast-iron block 4.0 L V6 engine and the GT added an aluminum block with a 4.6 L V8 engine with variable camshaft timing.
In 2010, another different exterior design was released in order to decrease drag coefficient. Ford also added LED taillights, control systems, new dampers, and spring rates, although the engine remained more or less the same.
The Ford Mustang Is Fighting For A Cure
In 2007, Ford showed their dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer when they released their special "Warriors in Pink" Mustang with pink highlights. It was designed to raise money to help fight breast cancer. Ford donated the proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as well as other charities.
Other special edition Mustangs followed as well as a clothing line. Altogether, Ford has raised over $120 million. So, if you ever see someone driving this 2007 model, know they made a donation for charity and didn't choose a bad color scheme.
Ford's 50th Anniversary
In 2014, to honor 50 years of the Mustang, Ford placed the new sleek 2015 Mustang GT on the top of the Empire State Building. This was done as a tribute to when the first-ever Mustang was introduced to the public on the observatory deck at the 1964 World Fair.
Much like how it was done in 1964, the car was taken up to the top in individual pieces and then assembled up there. However, unlike the World Fair, nobody was driving this car around on the top of the Empire State Building.
The Sixth Generation (2015-Present)
The sixth generation Mustang was introduced on December 5, 2016, but this time in several locations including the United States, Spain, China, and Australia. This generation, with the codename S-550, has new design features such as a widened and lowered body, a trapezoid grill, and even a new selection of colors.
In addition, the engine selection for the vehicles included 2.3 L EcoBoost four-cylinder, 3.7 L 300 HP V6 and the 5.0 L Coyote 435HP V8 in either automatic or manual transmissions.
New Strides For The Fourth Generation
In 2015, a new version also added an independent rear suspension system and was the first model to be created with right-hand-driving abilities so that it could now be sold in countries where people drive on the left side of the street. That same year, the Mustang also earned a 5-star crash protection rating from the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration.
This was appealing to many people who were reluctant to buy a sports car for their lack of safety. It's likely that a few lucky 16-year-old boys finally got the Mustang they'd been wanting for their birthday.
An Ode To The 1968 Film Bullit
In 2018, Ford combined the future with past when they introduced its latest car, the 2018 Ford Mustang Bullit. The car is inspired by the same green car that Steve McQueen drove in the 1968 film Bullit. Ford made this car to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the film, with the vehicle being unveiled at the 2018 North American international Auto Show.
The car was presented by Molly McQueen, Steve McQueen's granddaughter. The Mustang includes custom instrument panel graphics, seat patterns, and dashboard stitching. Of course, a six-speed transmission is the only kind available for this model.
