Ford unveils new Mustang

The signature Ford Mustang was first introduced in April 1964. Since its launch, the iconic car has sold more than 9 million units. Just a few months ahead of its 50th anniversary, Ford is launching a newly redesigned 2015 Mustang. In re-imagining the classic car, Ford took great care to ensure the new design is still true to the Mustang’s classic image, synches up with Ford’s style vision, and appeals to longtime fans while appealing to a younger generation of drivers.

In a phone conversation, Joel Piakowski, Ford’s director of exterior design, said the team behind the redesign really wanted to “do the Mustang name justice.’’

Piakowski described the Mustang re-design process as the “re-architecture’’ of a classic car. The vehicle’s roof and hood are 1.25 inches lower, the rear deck is 3 inches lower, and the driver’s “hip point’’ is about an inch lower as well.

“It’s like the skeleton of a human. If you look at an athlete or super-model, it’s pretty easy to make that person look good when you drape muscle and skin over that skeleton,’’ said Piakowski. “You’ll notice when you see the car in person that we shifted the measurements into more exotic proportions.’’

The new Mustang offers a choice of three engines — the more powerful 5.0-liter V8, a 3.7-liter V6, and an new fuel-efficient 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. In a press release, Ford says the new EcoBoost engine is “designed to meet the needs of drivers looking for outstanding performance and projected best-in-class fuel efficiency.’’

Ford predicts the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine will reach 305-plus horsepower and 300-plus lb.-ft. of torque.

In the 5.0-liter V8 engine, the 2015 Mustang features a wide array of upgrades and allows the car to “breath’’ better by improving flow of air and exhaust within the car’s cylinders. These upgrades include larger intake and exhaust valves, revised intake and exhaust camshafts, and more changes that Ford predicts will generate more than 420 horsepower and 396 lb.-ft. of torque.

The new Mustang pulls out the rear wheels, increasing the rear track by almost 3 inches, which Piakowski says enabled Ford to “give the fastback a more muscular haunch.’’ It also features more steeply a more steeply sloped windshield and rear glass, which gives the car a sleeker profile.

The grille design clearly echoes the Aston Martin-inspired grilles seen throughout the company’s present line. Longtime fans of the Mustang will notice the original round headlights have a narrower look and now three vertical “gills’’ for verticle LED driving lamps.

On the inside, the Mustang has a full array of safety, driver assist, and MyFord Touch systems. An inscription that reads “Mustang—Since 1964’’ will appear on the dashboard to pay tribute to the car’s legacy.