New Ford Mustang California Special debuts in Europe

The California dream is becoming a reality. The Ford Mustang California Special, the quintessential US West Coast style, will cross the Atlantic and make its first appearance in Europe.

Ford Mustang California Special 2022

The new California Special is a nod to the spirit of the original 1968 and the freedom of those years. Therefore, it is only offered as a convertible soft top, combining classic looks and emotions, enhanced by gusts of fresh air. The California Special draws attention with a special styling package featuring unique branding and details, 19-inch wheels, special color change decals and expressive styling. Charismatic 450 hp V8 petrol engine provides the power you need for adventurous travel.

The interior of the Mustang California Special is designed to be a pleasure to drive, no matter the road or weather, and custom-made details add to its exclusivity. Comfort-enhancing solutions such as heated and cooled front seats, a 12-inch clock with customizable settings, and the advanced SYNC 3 infotainment system, which allows the driver to call up their favorite soundtrack or find their way to their destination, come standard. nearest beach.

A new video released today by Ford heralds the arrival of the Mustang California Special in Europe, recalling the spirit of the Mustang and showing that California is a state of mind that guarantees a good mood wherever it is.

“The California Special is part of the heritage of the American Mustang and a symbol of what the Mustang is at its core: the joy of driving and the feeling of freedom on the road. Continental motorists love these values too, so it's time for European customers to experience the California Special's unique combination of style, performance and driving pleasure,” said Matthias Tonn, Chief Program Engineer Mustang, Ford of Europe.

Return to classic design

When the now-iconic Ford Mustang first hit the road in 1964, owners' clubs began to spring up across America, and many regional dealerships created their own personalized versions of the car. One of them, inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT coupe prototype, was called the California Special.

This original version had a tinted grille, fog lamps and side racing stripes that ended in front of the side air intakes at the rear, as well as a spoiler inspired by the styling of Shelby's signature cars. Appreciating the uniqueness of this version of the Mustang, Ford introduced a limited number of California Specials for the 1968 model year.

The latest version, available only as a soft-top convertible - in homage to the Golden State's Mediterranean climate - refers to a 1960s original. It has an Ebony Black honeycomb air intake, Race Red GT/CS badging and lower side moldings in black, red and gray. The GT/CS logo stripes run from the front fender to the rear fender and feature discreet "California Special" lettering that's almost invisible in low light and becomes much clearer in bright sunlight.

As with the original, aerodynamic accents, including a larger front splitter and optional side air intakes at the rear, underline the power of the V8 engine. At the rear, above the four exhaust pipes, is a dummy California Special fuel cap. Special five-spoke aluminum wheels give the version an exclusive character. The 19×9" wheels at the front and 19×9.5" at the rear are painted in gray, which aesthetically echoes the front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser. The California Special emblem is located under the hood, on a strut between the shock struts.

Nine exterior colours, including signature Grabber Blue and Cyber Orange, contrast with a black roof that folds down to transform a coupe silhouette into an elegant convertible in eight seconds.

Other special styling touches and equipment that enhance the comfort of the Mustang California Special's cabin underline the unique character of this version. The standard heated and cooled front seats provide comfortable driving with the roof down, not only in the summer season. The leather seats and door panels are partly trimmed in Gray Miko® Suede, a sustainable synthetic material made from recycled polyester. The effect is enhanced by red seams. GT/CS logos are embossed on the seat upholstery and floor mats, and the dashboard is trimmed in Carbon Hex aluminum with Mustang California Special signature badging.

The Ford SYNC 3 communication and entertainment system is designed to be always on the go, allowing the driver to use the resources and capabilities of a smartphone, control audio, navigation and air conditioning functions using voice commands and a central 8-inch touch screen. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and on-the-go connectivity is provided by a standard FordPass Connect modem.

Standard driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control with Active Brake Assist and Lane Departure Warning 4 make everyday driving less stressful.

Waves of positive

5.0-liter Ford V8 California Special engine with 450 hp and 529 Nm of torque 5 delivers performance and sound worthy of a special edition Mustang.

Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission equipped with speed matching for smooth shifting and sporty driving, the Mustang California Special accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Ford's advanced 10-speed automatic transmission accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

The automatic transmission also optimizes performance depending on the selected driving mode. Normal, Sport, Trail and Snow/Wet modes will prove useful on both the famous Route 66 scenic route and the A6 motorway. Good Neighbor Mode can automatically reduce the amount of 24-hour exhaust system noise that is introduced into the system.

A standard limited-slip differential and optional MagneRide® suspension improve traction and cornering traction. The shock absorber damping control system monitors shock conditions a thousand times per second and electronically changes the properties of the magnetorheological oil in the shock absorbers, adjusting the damping intensity according to driving conditions.

The Ford Mustang California Special expands the European Mustang family, which includes the track-ready Mustang Mach 1 fastback and convertible Mustang GT, as well as the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and Mach-E GT models.

The Mustang Mach-E combines the style, character and performance of an iconic sports car with an energy-efficient battery-powered electric powertrain capable of delivering a range of up to 610 km (WLTP) in pure electric mode. The Mustang Mach-E GT delivers the most exhilarating driving experience of any production Ford electric vehicle, thanks to a custom-tuned 487 hp all-wheel drive system.

Photo: Ford