Ford Stampedes Into 2024 With an All-New Mustang

There’s really no understating the impact that the Ford Mustang has had on not only the Ford lineup but the American auto industry as a whole. When Detroit’s Big Blue Oval set out to design a small, sporty car in the mid-1960s, they settled on a simple formula: rear-wheel drive, long hood, short deck, and near-endless customization. This combination of characteristics would prove to be a winning formula, with the resulting Ford Mustang flying out of dealerships at an unprecedented rate. The Mustang would usher in the era of the pony car and spawn no shortage of imitators in the following years—but for those in the know, there’s no substitute for the Mustang.

If it sounds like we’re getting a little nostalgic, that’s because the pony car that started it all is now all grown up. What began as an affordable, sporty compact aimed at younger drivers has matured into a rubber-burning, track-eating beast that can go toe-to-toe with almost any car on the road. 2024 marks the debut of the seventh-generation Mustang, which has long been one of the most popular models to come out of Ford. Cincinnati drivers looking to turn a few heads next time they pull in for a Bengals pregame tailgating should take a closer look at the all-new Mustang because nothing short of rolling in with Joe Burrow in the passenger seat is going to get quite the same reaction.

With bold styling, a long list of customizable trims, and the legendary performance that has made the model a household name, the Mustang is worth a look for any driver who appreciates a little good old-fashioned American muscle. Read on as we take a look inside the all-new Mustang, see what changes have been made for the pony car’s seventh generation, and see how Ford is staying well ahead of the curve when it comes to performance-based innovation.

Performance

When it comes to the Mustang, performance is never in question; the original pony car hasn’t dominated its segment for over 40 years because of its good looks. Ford has long ensured that power is never an afterthought—a trend that continues with the 2024 model and its two powerful engines on offer.

Most trims will receive the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which, thanks to its turbocharger, can squeeze some 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque from a mere four cylinders. This represents a modest improvement over the EcoBoost engine found on the outgoing sixth-gen Mustang, which topped out at 310 hp. Paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, the EcoBoost engine allows this muscle car to speed from zero to sixty in 4.5 seconds, which is only 0.3 seconds slower than the Mustang’s V8 option.

Speaking of the V8, those who spring for the high-performance Mustang GT will unleash the hounds in the form of the 480-hp Coyote V8. The 5.0-liter engine bests the outgoing Coyote by 30 hp, giving drivers the chance to reach 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the Coyote V8 certainly isn’t hurting for power, but those who want to push the envelope even further can add an optional performance exhaust that increases the horsepower to 486 while upping the torque from 415 to 481 lb-ft. There’s also a tuned version of the Coyote V8 that can be found on the all-new Dark Horse edition—but we’ll get into that model in just a moment.

An engine isn’t the end-all, be-all for performance. Ford has packed its Mustang with a host of high-end performance components, starting with the MagnaRide dampers. First developed for luxury vehicles like the Cadillac Seville, this innovative damping technology has since made its way into the Mustang where it goes a long way in providing a ride that’s both smooth and responsive—which is a notoriously tough balance to strike in the suspension world.

As the name implies, MagneRide uses magnets—specifically a blend of iron particles and synthetic oil known as magnetorheological fluid—to provide a comfortable ride without reducing overall performance. When exposed to a magnetic field, this fluid becomes denser, stiffening the suspension in response to road feedback. When you’re on the straightaway, the dampers provide a smooth, cushy ride—but as soon as you take a corner, the magnets kick into action, giving drivers the best of both worlds and making the Mustang a more practical choice for everyday driving. Drivers can choose between Normal, Sport, and Track drive modes, giving the Mustang the ability to transform from a relaxed daily driver into a dominant track contender at the push of a button.

Lastly, there’s the handbrake. While this legally-required feature wouldn’t normally be worth writing home about, Ford has upped the ante for 2024 with a new Electronic Drift Brake that turns the boring, old e-brake into your newest automotive obsession. Included with the Mustang’s Performance Pack, the Performance Electronic Parking Brake (PEPB) is basically a hydraulic handbrake—but it’s not actually connected to the rear brakes with something as archaic as a cable…

Instead, activating the handbrake sends a signal to the electronic parking brake, which locks the rear wheels in place. This might sound pretty standard so far, but things get a little more exciting when you activate the drift brake function. When the drift brake is enabled, it overrides the Mustang’s stability-controlled controller, allowing for the sort of fishtailing antics that thrill us on the silver screen. It’s a fun little feature from Ford, and proof that—even 40 years on—the Mustang has never lost that spirit of fun that made it such a popular car in the first place.

Interior

The goods under the hood aren’t always the most important selling point in today’s ultra-competitive market. Interior tech, comfort, and convenience features have become the industry’s newest battleground, especially when you move into the performance and luxury segments. So, how does the 2024 Mustang stack up regarding interior tech and creature features? About as well as a fighter jet you’d find out at Wright-Patterson AFB.

If that comparison falls a bit flat, allow us to explain. The 2024 Mustang was treated to a complete interior overhaul going into the pony car’s seventh generation—and the results are impressive, to say the least. Ford has gone back to the drawing board when it comes to interior styling, throwing out the playbook—and some beloved features like the “double bubble” dash—to usher in a new, modern era of design. The centerpiece of this overhaul is the dashboard, which replaces the double bubble dashboard with two massive displays: a 12.4-inch customizable digital gauge cluster that flows into a 13.2-inch infotainment display located toward the center of the cockpit.

The 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster is a driver’s one-stop command center, displaying all the relevant driving stats and six on-screen icons to control engine start/stop, traction control, hazards, max defrost, and more. These expansive screens lend the 2024 Mustang a futuristic look—and things only get more impressive when you actually start to interact with them. Users can adjust various drive mode settings and configurations by swiping between screens, giving the displays a smartphone-like feel that should make them instantly familiar and intuitive. However, it’s Ford Sync 4 software that really takes the system to the next level…

Powered by the Unreal 5 Gaming engine—the same software used to power popular video games like Fortnite and Tekken 8—this system is able to create complex animations and graphics that instantly set the 2024 Mustang apart from the competition. When you shift into Track mode, you’ll be met with an animation that shows the Mustang carving through the apex of a turn. Drag mode features a Mustang throwing up a cloud of smoke while doing a righteous burnout. Activating Slippery mode sees the pony car obscured by a thin veil of rain.

These quirky little animations are just one of the tricks the Mustang can pull off via the Unreal 5 engine. Do you want your dashboard to look like the inside of an F-16? It’s only a few swipes away. In a nod to Mustang history, the gauge cluster can even be configured to resemble the interior of the famous “Fox body” third-generation Mustang that ran from 1979 to 1993; notable for its green backlit display, the Fox body Mustang was the pony car’s longest-running body, gaining no shortage of fans during the course of its 14-year run. Nothing feels quite as luxurious as the ability to customize one’s ride—a fact that Ford seems to have taken to heart in designing the new 2024 Mustang.

Aside from its spruced-up display and cutting-edge software, the Mustang also punches well above its modest starting price with a full slate of premium interior details like a flat-bottom steering wheel, optional leather upholstery, accent stitching, and a premium B&O sound system with Bluetooth compatibility that wouldn’t be out of place at the Cincinnati Music Hall.

Dark Horse

In searching for a name for the 2024 Mustang’s bold new Dark Horse edition, Ford couldn’t help but fall back on an equine pun. That said, the name is a bit misleading for one of the industry’s most popular muscle cars: by definition, a “dark horse” is supposed to be a competitor that emerges from obscurity to grab an unexpected win, and while Ford’s Mustang has plenty of wins to its name, this iconic pony car is anything but obscure. This is the model that lent the entire pony car segment its horse-inspired moniker, so while the Dark Horse designation might be a bit of a stretch, Ford gets a pass on this one.

Representing the top end of the 2024 Mustang’s seven trims, the Dark Horse is this muscle car at its most muscular. It all starts under the hood, where drivers will find a specially tuned version of Ford’s fourth-gen 5.0-liter Coyote V8. Churning upwards of 500 hp, the Dark Horse achieves a feat that few competitors can match: producing 100 hp for every liter of displacement. That’s a pretty strong indication that this is not your garden-variety Mustang, but if you’re seeking verification, just try stepping on the gas.

The Coyote V8 already produces a guttural roar, but the addition of Ford’s Active Exhaust system ups the ante with a variable valve that can be partially opened or closed to produce an even more satisfying exhaust note. The Active Exhaust system continually monitors throttle inputs and the current driving mode and, when the conditions are right, kicks into action to create a hearty rumble that sounds a lot more intimidating than any animal we’ve ever encountered.

Looking to create a racket from a distance? Ford has you covered with one of the more unique features we’ve seen in recent memory: a Remote Rev feature that allows drivers to show off their Mustang’s pipes from a distance. Simply use the key fob to remotely start the Mustang, press unlock/lock twice in quick succession, and the Remote Rev system kicks into action. It’ll rev the motor from zero to 3000 RPM, 4000 RPM, and 5000 RPM, creating a symphony of internal combustion that’s sure to elicit reactions from passersby.

It goes without saying that the Mustang is fast, but the Dark Horse kicks it up a notch with a zero-to-sixty time of just 4.1 seconds. Luckily, this edition also comes standard with premium Brembo brakes to harness all that power, with 19-inch Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tires and a Dark Horse Appearance Package that adds a Notorious Blue paint job to the calipers for good measure. Throw in an optional six-speed TREMEC manual gearbox, rear axle cooling system, and a fully independent front and rear suspension with Ford’s MagneRide Damping system and the Dark Horse looks good enough to ride off into the sunset.

Get the 2024 Mustang at Kings Ford

Between its legendary performance, tech-heavy interior, and no-holds-barred Dark Horse edition, the all-new seventh-generation 2024 Mustang is shaping up to be one for the books. Drivers have waited almost a decade for this Mustang, and Ford certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Blue Oval has managed to honor the Mustang’s past without losing sight of the future—a combination that keeps the Mustang fresh, interesting, and relevant in today’s market. Most importantly, the Mustang still includes all those fun features and customization options that made the pony car such a hit in the first place.

With the comfort-enhancing MagneRide suspension, the Mustang becomes increasingly alluring as a daily driver that’ll have you cruising around Cincinnati in style. Add in the Active Exhaust system, Performance Electronic Parking Brake, and cutting-edge infotainment system powered by the Unreal 5 Gaming engine, and you’ve got a muscle car that—at forty-plus years—still manages to look and feel just as modern as any of its late model competitors.