AUSTRALIAN PRICING, SPECS REVEALED FOR 2024 FORD MUSTANG

Ahead of the first deliveries in Q2, 2024, Ford Australia has released pricing and specification information for the new, seventh-generation Mustang. The highly-anticipated, high-performance Mustang Dark Horse will be part of the MY24 lineup, with some major changes made to the rest of the range for Australia, too.

The Dark Horse is one of three grades offered locally, with the other two being the familiar EcoBoost and GT. The EcoBoost continues to be powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, while the GT retains its naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre petrol V8. The V8 is also applied to the Dark Horse. Both engine options offer increases in performance compared to the 2023 Mustang, with the V8 in the Dark Horse setting a new power benchmark for a naturally-aspirated Mustang.

Notable changes for 2024 include the dropping of both the convertible and manual transmission option for the Mustang EcoBoost, meaning this variant will only be offered as a fastback coupe with a ten-speed automatic. The Mustang GT fastback coupe continues to be available with either a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic, while the GT convertible will only be offered with the auto, as per the 2023 GT soft top.

The all-new Dark Horse will only be available as a fastback coupe, with a more powerful 5.0 V8 than the GT and a unique six-speed manual transmission, too, but the ten-speed auto transmission will be optional. Only 1,000 units of the Dark Horse are allocated for Australia.

“We are thrilled to bring the new seventh-generation Ford Mustang to Australia,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia, when announcing the 2024 range in October. “The Mustang has always been a favourite among Australian drivers, and the new model takes the experience to a whole new level. It’s sure to make owners smile every time they drive it.

“The car’s improved performance, handling, and the addition of the Mustang Dark Horse special edition make it a great choice for anyone looking for an exhilarating driving experience.”

New Style

As previously reported, the seventh-generation (S650) Mustang has several design changes over the outgoing sixth-generation (S550), but remains recognisably “Mustang” and is more of an evolution than a revolution in design terms.

Signature Mustang touches, like the ‘galloping horse’ grille badge and three-piece tail lights remain, but the design tweaks emphasize width, particularly at the front. Headlights are narrower and of a three-segment design, the grille opening is wider and deeper, with the lower bumper vents larger, too.

The bodyside crease that ran along the door handle line is gone, with the flanks smoother overall, but there is a more pronounced hip over the rear wheels as part of a wider treatment of the back end that Ford says points to the power over the wheels. It’s not just a styling touch, as the rear track on both the EcoBoost and GT fastback is wider than the front by 2.7 inches (62.0-inch front, 64.7-inch rear). Track is the same for the GT convertible, but interestingly, the Dark Horse is wider at the front (62.2 inches) and narrower at the rear (63.9 inches).

At the back end of the MY24 Mustang, the contrasting tail light panel is gone and the concave treatment of this section is more pronounced, creating a defined peak to the tail. The lower valance is more prominent and the EcoBoost drops the old-style tail badge for one that’s almost the same as the grille badge. The Mustang GT continues to run a ‘GT’ badge in this space, but it’s more prominent on the MY24 version and drops the surrounding circle.

Wheel designs are new for 2024, all in 19-inch size, with the EcoBoost, GT and Dark Horse all getting their own unique style.

A total of twelve colours will be available, all of which come at a premium, except Oxford White and Race Red. For the Dark Horse, there’s an exclusive Blue Ember shade, which comes with a Dark Horse Appearance Pack as standard. This pack, which is optional for two other Dark Horse colours, consists of a Black Onyx roof and blue Brembo brake calipers.

A Black Pack, with black badges, roof, mirror caps and wheels, is also optional, as are appearance packs for the EcoBoost and GT that add full-length dual stripes and model-specific rear spoilers.

New Look Interior

The cockpit of the 2024 Mustang is said to be the most technologically advanced, driver-centric to date. Two large digital screens dominate the cabin; one for instrumentation and the other for infotainment, with display information customisable on both.

Inspired by video games, the 12.4-inch instrument screen can display different animated designs and drive mode-dependent visuals, all of which can be adjusted with a simple swipe. The screen can also display embedded ‘track apps’ data that includes a lap timer, launch control, acceleration timer, accelerometer, brake performance and line-locker, designed for track days.

For the SYNC 4 equipped, 13.2-inch centre infotainment screen, it flows on from the instrument screen and is angled toward the driver to create what Ford says is a more immersive digital experience that emulates a jet fighter cockpit.

“We can be creative in showing necessary driving information and give the driver control in selecting vibrant colour schemes new to Mustang, classic Mustang gauges or even a ‘calm’ screen where only minimal details are displayed,” says Craig Sandvig, Ford Mustang interaction design manager.

Sports-style metal pedals, ambient lighting and push-button starting are other interior features applied across the 2024 range. All bar the Dark Horse have illuminated sill panels, too.

All Australian-spec Mustangs will be equipped with an advanced, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as leather-accented front seats with heating/cooling and six-way power adjustment. The driver’s seat also has power lumbar and manual back rest functions. Leather trim is also added to the steering wheel and park brake handle. Mustangs with the manual include a leather-trimmed shift boot and gear shift knob, but the Dark Horse has a titanium shift knob.

Recaro front seats are optional for the GT fastback and Dark Horse, with leather accents and a specific design for the latter.

Powerplants

Both Mustang engine options have been updated for 2024, delivering more power or torque, depending on the model, with an Active Valve Performance Exhaust standard across the range.

On the EcoBoost 2.3 turbo four-cylinder, the exhaust manifold has been revised, as has the turbocharger and electronic wastegate. Camshaft timing has also been adjusted, with an air-induction system integrated. Additionally, port injection has been combined with direct injection to deliver more low-end torque and high-end power, respectively.

The result is that the MY24 Mustang EcoBoost produces 232kW at 5,500rpm and 475Nm at 3,000rpm, compared to 236kW at 6200rpm and 448Nm at 3800rpm from the 2023 EcoBoost fastback auto.

For the GT, the Coyote 5.0-litre V8 gains 80mm throttle bodies with compatible air inlets to improve power. A dual fuel delivery system with direct and port injection, like what’s been added to the EcoBoost, is incorporated into the 2024 GT’s V8, too. Outputs of 347kW at 7250rpm and 550Nm at 4750rpm are standard, regardless of body style or transmission option. This compares to 339kW at 7000rpm and 556Nm at 4600rpm from the MY23 GT fastback manual.

The Dark Horse uses the same basic Coyote 5.0 V8 as the GT, but peak power is 349kW at the same 7250rpm redline, and while maximum torque is slightly reduced at 548Nm, it’s reached higher in the rev range, at 4850rpm. The Dark Horse also gets a stronger Tremec six-speed manual transmission.

On the Active Valve Performance Exhaust, four selectable modes – Normal, Sport, Track and Quiet – each deliver a different note to suit driver preference and driving conditions. Depending on the mode, power is increased and back pressure reduced, too.

Drift Mode and Local Specifics

Standard on all MY24 Mustang variants is an electric park brake with ‘drift brake’ function that enables rear wheel drifts in closed circuit conditions. While Ford state that this feature is for track use only, it’s unlikely Mustang owners will follow that instruction.

All Australian-delivered Mustangs will come with a larger radiator and more powerful cooling fans to suit local conditions, while GTs also include an auxiliary oil cooler.

Brembo brakes are standard range-wide, with the GT fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres as standard on 19x9 front and 19x9.5 rear wheels.

Dark Horse

Along with a slightly more powerful engine and model-specific Tremec manual transmission, the Mustang Dark Horse also includes a Torsen diff to maintain traction, along with a transmission oil cooler, rear axle cooler and auxiliary brake cooling ducts. These all anticipate that most Dark Horse buyers will use this high-performance Mustang at track days.

More than three years in the making, the Mustang Dark Horse includes specific chassis tuning, stiffer front springs and MagneRide suspension. This adjustable suspension system, optional on other MY24 Mustang variants, is standard on the Dark Horse and has been specifically tuned for the model.

Braking is unchanged from the GT and EcoBoost, consisting of 390mm vented discs with six-piston Brembo calipers at the front and 355mm discs with four-piston Brembo calipers at the rear, but the wheels are wider, at 19x9.5-inch front and 19x10-inch rear.

Exterior changes over the GT include darkened LED headlights, a gloss black grille, unique lower front bumper and unique side skirts. There’s also a fixed rear wing, race-inspired rear diffuser and darkened exhaust tips. The ‘galloping horse’ grille badge remains, but model-specific badges are added to the front guards, bootlid and sills.

This badging continues inside, where there’s also a special badge that carries the car’s chassis number. The driver-focussed cabin includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel with dedicated drive-mode button and anodised silver paddle shifters when matched to the ten-speed auto. Manual versions have a model-specific shift knob.

Instead of bright silver for the air vents, bezels and other interior accents, the Dark Horse has ‘Black Alley’ dark gloss metallic trim.

Contrast stitching in Bright Indigo Blue features on the shifter boot, doorcards and seats. Blue seat belts are standard, and when the optional Recaro front seats are selected, these are trimmed in Bright Indigo Blue and feature unique perforation.

Australian Release and Pricing

The 2024 Mustang range is due to reach Australian Ford dealerships in Q2, 2024 (just in time for the Mustang’s 60th Anniversary in April), but orders are being taken now.

Pricing starts are $64,990 for the EcoBoost fastback auto and peaks at $103,002 for the Dark Horse fastback auto. Only 1,000 units of the Dark Horse are allocated for Australia.