Next Ford Mustang Inspired by Evos Styling

There is a pretty good argument for the Ford Mustang starting the trend towards retro styling in 1994, and since then the car has had two generations of styling borrowed from older Mustangs. It appears that this might end with the sixth generation that Ford says might borrow the style from the Evos concept car from last year's Frankfurt Auto Show. 

The Evos concept has a front end similar to the new Ford Fusion/Mondeo with slits for headlights. It is a two-door coupe with wide rear fenders and a steeply raked rear. Although, on the concept, the fenders lifted up almost like doors to let rear passengers in easier. The concept had gullwing doors and a glass panel in the roof. Other than the super wide rear fenders and gullwing doors, it seems realistic that this car could enter production. Ford would have to remove the LED headlights and glass roof to keep costs down, but they could easily be options. 

The major change in design is prompted by Ford trying to build interest among younger buyers. Current young car buyers do not have the connection to the classic Mustang style that Ford has been using for so long, at least in Ford's view. 

The other problem is that Ford is now competing with Chevrolet and Dodge in the moderately priced, performance coupe market. Both the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger are retro styled performance cars. Perhaps Ford thinks they can broaden interest by doing the opposite and differentiating itself. 

Ford says that the next model will be due in late 2014 as a 2015 model. 

This is not the first time that Ford has tried to do something different with Mustang styling. From 1974 to 1993, the Mustang had two generations that moved away from the styling of the original generation. While the second generation MustangFord Mustang Gen.2United States of America, 1974 > 19787 versions
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  is widely considered one of the worst cars made anywhere, the third generation Fox body MustangFord Mustang Gen.3United States of America, 1979 > 199311 versions
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was fairly well loved and carried on the first generation's trait of being a great platform for modification. Since that time, the Mustang has worn various versions of a retro style. The fourth generationFord Mustang Gen.4United States of America, 1994 > 200421 versions
74 photos
 from 1994-2004 had styling similar to the first generation, and the current  fifth generationFord Mustang Gen.5United States of America, 2005 > 201454 versions
160 photos
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 has a look of the late 60s Mustangs. 

What do you guys think? Is design good regardless of era? Does Ford need to go to an ultramodern design to build interest to younger buyers or is good design universal?

Source: Autoblog

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.

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