The Ford Mustang turned 60 last year, and the US carmaker isn’t against it evolving from its exclusively two-door roots as it looks to avoid launching “boring” cars.
Speaking to Automotive News at the Detroit motor show, executive chairman Bill Ford – great-grandson of founder Henry Ford – detailed the importance of not just keeping the Mustang nameplate alive but keeping it relevant.
“Mustang means a lot to me,” Mr Ford told the publication.
“I’ll never let Mustang go. It will always be part of Ford as long as I’m part of Ford, and so we work very hard to keep it fresh and keep it relevant.
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Mustang Dark Horse
“We’re just going to keep pushing the envelope on Mustang for as long as we can and there’s really no limit to it.”
Last year, four sources reportedly told Automotive News that Ford had previewed a four-door ‘coupe’ and a jacked-up, Baja-ready Mustang at a dealer meeting in Las Vegas, attended by Mr Ford.
The long-rumoured four-door coupe was reportedly shown with the Mach 4 nameplate.
This meeting also included a “high-performance” V8 Mustang convertible equipped with a manual transmission – similar to a Shelby GT350 and GT500 – as well as a modified EcoBoost model, which was subsequently previewed by the RTR last week.
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Mustang RTR
When asked about the production possibilities of these four models, Mr Ford refused to rule any out from becoming a part of the Mustang lineup.
“There’s all kinds of possibilities,” the Ford chairman said.
“I’m not going to tip where we’re going next, but whatever we do will be true to the brand, because it has to be.”
Mr Ford’s comments came on the same day Ford CEO Jim Farley reiterated the carmaker’s promise to not be boring.
“We do not make shampoo,” Mr Farley said, as reported by Automotive News. “Rule number one at Ford: no boring products.
“Our industry is in the midst of a disruption. But one thing remains true: Great products always win.”
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Jim Farley speaking at the Detroit motor show
He was backed up by Jim Baumbick, Ford’s vice president of advanced product development, who said Mr Farley drove the brand’s approach to what vehicles it does and doesn’t make.
“We’re not trying to make toasters on wheels,” Mr Baumbick said. “We’re not trying to make just commodity products. It’s all about emotion.”
Mr Farley became Ford CEO in October 2020, having held multiple positions at the company since joining in 2007.
Performance-focused models launched during his tenure include the twin-turbo V6-powered Ranger Raptor, the Bronco Raptor, Mustang Mach-E Rally, Maverick Lobo, and Mustang Dark Horse and GTD.
The Mustang GTD recently became the first US production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes.
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