Giving it the beans alongside Large Tujunga Freeway in Southern California’s Angeles Nationwide Forest, this 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost feels acquainted however completely different. Dynamically, the seventh-generation Mustang doesn’t change a lot, but it surely has much more know-how to expertise behind the wheel.
The seventh-generation Mustang, identified internally as S650, is little completely different than the last-generation S550 model.
That’s alright as a result of we felt the S550 era Mustang graduated from pony automobile to sports activities automobile, particularly with the 2018 replace that higher sorted out the unbiased rear suspension added with the debut of the S550 for the 2014 mannequin 12 months.
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang Monitor theme and Customized mode display
2024 Ford Mustang Fox Physique ’87-’93 theme
2024 Ford Mustang Monitor Apps
2024 Ford Mustang: Screens galore
The 2024 Ford Mustang sports activities a brand new exterior design that reads as an evolution of the S550 with a contact of Chevrolet Camaro thrown in, particularly within the extra pronounced rear haunches. The massive change, nevertheless, comes inside, the place the normal double-binnacle instrument cluster provides option to a financial institution of screens that serves as greater than only a tech hub.
A 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen unfold out in entrance of the motive force in juxtaposition to a cabin that in any other case has retro influences. The Sync 4 infotainment system has twice as a lot processing energy because the final automobile’s Sync 3 system, and the screens use Unreal Engine graphics that function the spine for a lot of widespread first-person-shooter video video games. The system may be up to date over the air robotically or on a schedule.
I ran via the various options of the system after a preview at Ford headquarters in March, however now I’ve skilled it and might say it provides to the general Mustang expertise. The instrument cluster may be set to the motive force’s selection of 5 themes: Regular, Sport, Monitor, Fox Physique ’87-’93, and Calm. The Monitor theme depicts a hockey stick tachometer such as you see on many supercars, Sport mode has curved speedometer and tachometer graphs that sweep up from the underside, and Fox Physique digitally represents the analog gauges from the latter years of the third-generation Mustang.
I’m driving with the Fox Physique theme as a result of, properly, you gotta give props to the Mustangs that impressed Vanilla Ice to roll in his 5.0, don’t you?
For probably the most half, the cluster themes match the drive modes, although there isn’t any Calm drive mode (as there shouldn’t be in a Mustang), and Ford additionally provides Drag Strip, Slippery, and programmable Customized modes. Each Mustang has each drive mode, giving even the comparatively tame EcoBoost a toybox of efficiency options to select from.
It’s all simply accessed by way of the MyMustang button on the middle stack, which brings up a display that lets drivers program the customized drive modes, show auxiliary gauges, select from 4 sound settings for the accessible energetic exhaust, choose a cluster theme, set the ambient lighting colour, and most significantly, entry the Monitor Apps efficiency options.
The Monitor Apps let drivers monitor telemetry together with braking distance and acceleration and lap instances. That is additionally the place drivers activate the launch management, the road lock, the brand new digital parking brake Ford calls the Drift Brake, and within the GT with the handbook transmission, the rev matching characteristic.
However it is a frivolously outfitted EcoBoost mannequin and I’m driving with a journalist who will get carsick. He’d seemingly heave if I attempted these options, so I’ll save the sophomoric enjoyable for a GT with the Efficiency Bundle.
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost: Sorted and managed
Whereas not as overt as the brand new Mustang’s tech suite, the mechanical adjustments are largely for the higher, but it surely all begins with the identical stiff and well-sorted platform because the earlier automobile.
The steering is probably the most notable dynamic distinction. The steering column is stiffer, a rubber bushing has been eliminated for a extra direct really feel, and the ratio has been barely quickened from 16.0:1 to fifteen:5.1. The concept was to offer faster responses (marginally) and extra highway really feel. Alongside the best way, Ford additionally lightened the steering weight, and I’m discovering it too gentle on these canyon roads because it’s requiring too many little corrections. I’m in Sport mode, which has a heavier “sport” really feel, too. The alternatives right here seem like gentle, lighter, and lightest. I want Ford would add a setting that makes the wheel extra secure.
I’m in an EcoBoost Premium mannequin with a sq. set of 255/40R19 Continental ProContact all-season tires. This automobile has not one of the accessible efficiency goodies, such because the $1,750 magnetic dampers or the $3,475 Efficiency Bundle that provides Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer-performance tires, a strut tower brace, a bigger rear sway bar, a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip rear axle, the Drift Brake, heavy-duty entrance springs, bigger brakes with entrance Brembo calipers, paddle shifters, and a rear wing spoiler.
Left with the fundamentals of the Mustang’s rear-wheel-drive structure, the automobile is performing properly right here. Regardless of the dearth of steering weight, the automobile reacts promptly to steering inputs and the wheel is telling me what’s occurring at highway degree. The tires present sufficient grip that I’m not sliding via the corners, even throughout an particularly spirited six-mile stretch via the twisties throughout which my drive accomplice is ready at a relaxation cease.
As I method the corners, the automobile’s base brakes—a set of 4 12.6-inch rotors with two-piston entrance calipers and single-piston rear calipers—arise surprisingly properly. The brake pedal has a sturdy and progressive really feel, and it retains the identical resistance all through my drive. I can’t go away him sitting there to wring it out for prolonged intervals of time, and I wouldn’t belief these brakes in that scenario or on a observe, however they’re greater than as much as the punishment anticipated of Mustang patrons who would select a base suspension.
Like different Mustangs, this automobile rides on new dampers, however they’re tuned for little change in habits versus these of the S550 mannequin. In every configuration, they’re simply optimized for the brand new steering, in addition to the chosen tire and brake package deal.
The dampers assist management physique lean properly and contribute to a agency experience that additionally offers loads of highway suggestions however by no means crosses over into harsh. It’s all tied collectively properly, with good dealing with stability within the corners. Sure, you’ll be able to kick out the rear finish, but it surely requires a concerted effort and/or use of the Drift Brake (extra on that later).
I can hear loads of tire hum on these tough roads, although the cacophony of sounds is a part of the Mustang expertise. The tire noise isn’t all that noticeable as a result of a next-generation 2.3-liter turbo-4 beneath the hood has a lot to say. It belts out a mezzo-soprano tune that’s at instances authoritative, coarse, and droning. It’s at all times spirited, although, and that matches with the Mustang’s extroverted character.
The engine is the fourth era of the two.3-liter turbo-4 that Ford virtually comically calls EcoBoost (perhaps the “Eco” half it was extra related 14 years in the past when EVs have been barely a thought within the automotive trade and when a DOE mortgage went towards downsizing and turbocharging Ford engines). Modifications this time round give it extra energy whereas additionally making it extra environment friendly. It will get a brand new twin-scroll turbocharger that scrolls up faster. It additionally provides port injection to the present direct injection for improved energy and gas economic system. The adjustments enhance output barely, including 5 hp for a complete of 315 hp and conserving torque regular at 350 lb-ft.
I take a look at the two.3 as a high quality comfort prize within the Mustang. It’s completely succesful and it will get the job executed with slightly aptitude, however I’d quite win the showcase showdown is the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 within the GT fashions.
I really feel the identical manner about the truth that the EcoBoost is paired solely with the 10-speed computerized—it’s a high quality transmission however not as a lot enjoyable because the 6-speed handbook that was accessible within the outgoing EcoBoost.
The powertrain additionally performs properly in these hills. Sport mode typically retains revs excessive, and Monitor does an excellent higher job to make the ability available at nook exit. Monitor typically downshifts mid-corner, barely affecting the automobile’s stability. It’s not sufficient to disrupt my line, however utilizing the paddle shifters would assist forestall it, although they solely include the Efficiency Bundle. The automobile picks up velocity steadily from curve to curve. It’s fast and spirited, with a 0-60 mph time within the low-to-mid five-second vary, but it surely’s not the hammer that the V-8 is.
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost: Drifting made straightforward
Earlier within the day, I had the chance to check one of many new Mustang’s social gathering methods: the Drift Brake it developed with professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. Included with the Efficiency Bundle on both the EcoBoost or GT, the Drift Brake is actually a flowery digital parking brake that has extra than simply on and off settings. Like a handbook parking brake, it applies extra braking energy to the rear wheels the more durable you pull the deal with. That deal with stands up from the middle console and has an elbow form for straightforward entry by the motive force.
Ford’s managed train to check the Drift Brake is as rudimentary as potential. It consists of a single 180-degree flip and a perpendicular slide right into a cease field.
An teacher reveals me the correct approach to induce after which management the automobile via the switchback flip. It’s just like a Scandinavian flick and it goes like this: veer left, steer barely proper to ship the momentum in that course, pull the brake, hit the throttle and launch the brake on the identical time to induce the drift, keep on the throttle till you’re about to be pointed the wrong way, let up and drive out.
That’s all a lot simpler mentioned than executed, and it’s straightforward to screw up at a number of factors. Veering left is straightforward, but it surely’s additionally straightforward to steer too far to the suitable and make the automobile spin as a substitute of drift. That is exacerbated by my different subject: forgetting to launch the brake once I get on the gasoline. That simply results in a roughly 240-degree spin that stops me pointed the mistaken manner. I get 10 cracks at it and do it proper maybe twice, and on a 3rd event I do a whole 540 that makes me really feel fairly cool—although I believe it annoys the teacher.
The approach for the 90-degree cease is so simple as steering barely proper to set the momentum and pulling the brake. Once more, nevertheless, it’s straightforward to over-steer and over-rotate. It’s the sort of maneuver that may look cool in a TikTok video, but it surely’s not a sensible option to park, particularly if different vehicles are round.
Nonetheless, with common parking brakes turning into a factor of the previous, the Mustang’s Drift Brake brings a little bit of forgotten enjoyable again into the automobile. It will also be used like a traditional parking brake. Merely cease the automobile, pull the deal with, search for the “Brake” gentle on the instrument cluster, and shut off the automobile. While you begin it once more, push down on the deal with to launch the brake.
The Drift Brake is only one manner the 2024 Ford Mustang marries tech with efficiency, and the large new screens are extra overt. All of it synthesizes with the managed competence of the largely carryover platform to carry a pony automobile icon into the fashionable day with out shedding its sporty essence. When you’ll be able to, give it the beans.
Ford paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.
