Ford's Mustang, the best-selling sports coupe, is coming in for some subtle revisions - but, more importantly, there's a special edition model celebrating the Pony Car's 55th birthday.
55 not out
First up is the Mustang55 Special Edition, based on the 450hp 5.0-litre V8 models. It's available in Fastback and Convertible body styles, and it has black, dissolve-effect strips on the bonnet and low body sides, a black-painted roof (on the Fastback models), 19-inch gloss-black alloys, upper and lower front radiator grilles in two-tone gloss and Pillar Black, a Pillar Black pony badge in the nose, Pillar Black 5.0 front wing badges with a Colorado Red decimal point (!), and an optional Pillar Black raised boot spoiler complete the exterior aesthetic; if you choose a Shadow Black Mustang55, though, the stripes go silver.
The six-speed manual with a unique moulded gearknob is the standard transmission but the ten-speed automatic is an option and that gains an alloy metal shifter. Standard equipment on the Mustang55 includes heated and cooled front seats, the SYNC3 connectivity/infotainment system with DAB+ radio, a 12-speaker premium B&O Sound System, and FordPass Connect software.
Shelby-inspired style
The 2.3-litre EcoBoost model isn't overlooked, though, as the four-cylinder Mustangs now gain styling features that have been seen on the Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT500 models through the decades. Look for door mirrors and a boot spoiler finished in Magnetic Grey, dissolve-effect black bonnet stripes, a Magnetic Grey California grille with the tri-bar pony badge seen on 1965 Mustangs and machine-finished 19-inch wheels. Mustang 2.3s, still available as Fastback or Convertible cars, get Active Valve Performance Technology - this allows for the sportiest sounds when driving hard, but also the Good Neighbour Mode to let owners drive quietly off at unsociable hours of the day.
Bullitt continues, new colours added
Wanted a Ford Mustang Bullitt but worried you've already missed out? Fear not; Ford has confirmed it will produce the special edition version for another year. All the same accoutrements that marked it out before continue, but make sure you pick Highland Green and not Shadow Black, eh?
Elsewhere, new colours available across the whole Mustang range include Twister Orange, Grabber Lime, Iconic Silver and Lucid Red. All cars, include the new Ford Mustang55 5.0-litre V8 and the revised 2.3-litre EcoBoost models, are available to order from August.
Roelant de Waard, Ford's European vice-president for Marketing, Sales and Service, said: "Mustang is one of an exclusive group of vehicles to achieve more than half a century of continuous production, and customers' appetites for the world's best-selling sports car show no sign of waning. Our new Mustang55 is the essence of Mustang, combining exciting performance, bold design, and comfort-enhancing technologies like our FordPass Connect on-board modem and B&O Sound System."