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2013 Mustangs Have Revised Exteriors, Shift-able Automatic and 4.2in LCD

The Mustang is an absolutely iconic American vehicle and, other than a period in the mid 1970s, a performance icon. The fifth generation of Mustang was released in 2005 but got a pretty major facelift in 2009, and Ford is giving the Mustang a minor facelift for 2013. This new, facelifted Mustang goes on sale in the spring of 2012 and not only offers a changed exterior, but the 5.0 liter V8 that was just introduced in 2010 is being massaged for more power. There is also a 4.3in LCD screen mounted between the tachometer and speedometer that can display performance information.

The changes to the exterior focus on the front of the car. The grill is more prominent protruding more from the front of the car, but it retains the foglights mounted in the grill. The Mustang now gets standard HID headlamps on both models, V6 and V8, with LED running lights now in the headlights as well. The hood of V8 models have functional gills to keep the engine bay cooler. The rocker panels are now painted in the body color to give the car a more uniform appearance. The tail lights have a smoked appearance with a black rear strip contrasting them. The V6 models get 17in wheels while V8s get 19s. In a cheeky touch, there are lights in the Mustang pony logo embedded in the mirrors that shine on the ground when the car is unlocked. The V6 and V8 models have get optional Recaro seats next year that are the same as the ones from the GT500 and Boss 302 models.

The 5.0 liter V8 has been tweaked thanks to what Ford learned while developing the Boss 302. The engine now produces 420hp, compared to 412 previously. Manual transmission cars will come with a hill start assist for the first time. There will also be an automatic transmission for the V8 with Select Shift. It can be shifted with a button located on the shifter.

Also available on the 2013 Mustang is the GT Track Package available only on GT models with a manual transmission. It adds an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance brake pads and limited slip differential. It also adds 14in, vented Brembo brakes with 19in wheels. The Brembo brakes and wheels are also available separately as a package.

The final feature that Ford is adding to the Mustang next year is a small, 4.2in LCD screen that displays performance information like 0-60 times and quarter-mile times. The screen is navigated with a five-way control located on the steering wheel.

The Ford Mustang since 1964

With the Mustang, Ford invented a new automobile class, the “pony car”, and rival brands rushed into production to come up with cars of the same category. The first 18 months of the Mustang’s production stayed in history as the most successful car debut ever. After more than 40 years, the coupé is still being produced and Ford is selling around 150.000 Mustangs each year.

1964 Ford Mustang

In 1964, Ford unveiled their first ever Mustang. It inherited many parts, from other Ford models like the Falcon and Fairlane. Just 5 months after its introduction, the Mustang underwent a facelift and continued to grow heavier and bigger every year. The first generation Mustangs had mid and front engines, with displacements from 2.8 to 7.0 liters. The most basic model made 120hp while the top-of-the-line car delivered 385hp.

1974 Ford Mustang

The second generation Mustang was launched in 1974. After the continuous enlargement of the first generation until 1973, Ford decided to dramatically decrease its size to as close as possible to the original model. Shape and styling, as well as the mechanical features, were all reformulated in order to give the car an appearance that was closer to the 1964 model but with a higher performance.

1979 Ford Mustang

A fresh new Mustang, generation III, came out in 1979. Over the years, improvements were made to the Mustang regarding interior and exterior styling, giving it more comfort and a modernized look. Power was amplified as well throughout the years of production of the Mustang III. Ford also re-added the high-performance Mustang GT variant to the lineup in 1982.

1994 Ford Mustang

15 years past the Mustang’s last major amendment, in 1994, Ford launched its fourth generation. Motor Trend magazine named the Mustang Car of the Year for the third time when its fourth generation debuted. The Mustang IV engines ranged from a basic 3.8-liter to the top-of-the-line 5.4-liter Cobra R. Power output was increased along the years, starting at 145 hp to reach 190 hp for the standard version.

2004 Ford Mustang

Ford introduced the greatly redesigned fifth generation of the Mustang in 2004 at the North American International Auto Show. The refreshed car was an immediate hit in terms of sales. In 2012, the current Mustang received a minor facelift. Improvements include a changed exterior, and the 5.0 liter V8, introduced in 2010, got a power-uprgrade.