Ford has added a fruity V8 special to the renewed family likely here in a year and probably set to see this nameplate out of the petrol era.

MUSTANG for a fossil fuel-free future and Mustang wedded to a petrol-imbibing past look set to both release in New Zealand in 2023.

Less than a week after indicating more about its strategy for the fully electric Mustang Mach-E – basically, three versions, one set to be under $80,000 to earn a rebate, coming around March – for when combustion engines are history, Ford here is now shifting attention to the latest and likely last editions in a petrol-wed format diehards contend this famous nameplate cannot do without.

Probably set to come here toward the end of next year, according to signals from overseas, what’s being called the seventh generation car was unveiled in Detroit today at an event called ‘the stampede’.

Patently heavily restyled – and how that side of thing goes down is bound to trigger lots of debate - the new line is also a continuation of the same platform, drivetrains and technology employed by the current line that unveiled in 2015. 

Ford is keeping the 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder that has struggled to win acceptance in NZ as an alternate to the GT (above) with the naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that, while clearely Kiwi preferred, has also become a low volume product.

Ford has yet to disclose power outputs for the incoming product but there are claims significant revisions to the V8 have boosted power and torque beyond the current 339kW and 556Nm.

If the GT doesn’t seem potent enough, there’s a special edition called Dark Horse, above, that will become the flagship variant – at least until the Shelby models return. Ford is suggesting the Dark Horse will have more than 500 bhp – that’s 373kW in modern-speak.

 Engine modifications include piston connecting rods from the latest GT500, a dual throttle-body intake design for extra breathing, a lighter radiator, a rear axle cooler, an auxiliary engine oil cooler, and more powerful cooling fans.

A six-speed Tremec manual transmission – as found in the Mustang Mach 1 and Shelby GT350 – is standard with a 3D-printed titanium shifter. The 10-speed torque converter automatic shared with the standard model will also be offered in this model and the run-of-the-mill GT.

The manual Ecoboost has been discontinued and is now only on offer as an automatic.

The Mustang’s design has altered enough to make it an easy pick, and the Dark Horse embellishes with darkened LED headlights, a gloss-black grille with pronounced trapezoidal nostrils, and a unique lower bumper.

The flagship has adaptive suspension, a larger sway bar, heavy-duty front dampers, a strut tower and an under-bonnet engine brace. It gets a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, too but the six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brakes the GT has upgraded to are deemed good enough for the Dark Horse.

An optional handling package adds a rear wing with an integrated gurney flap similar to the Ford GT, stiffer springs, larger front and rear sway bars, and swaps the standard Pirelli P-Zero tyres for wider Pirelli Trofeos.

Dark Horse’s interior delivers a thicker suede-wrapped steering wheel with blue stitching, extending to the door panels, seats, gear shifter and centre console.

The GT and EcoBoost have become more individualised. The GT has a more aggressive front-end styling with bigger air scoops, extended splitter, a functional extractor vent in the bonnet and ‘nostrils’ incorporated into the grille design. The Ecoboost is less aggressive.

 Overall, the Mustang’s profile, broad stance and ‘coke bottle’ inspired overhead view is still immediately recognisable, while features such as the deep V-shaped boot undercut have been accentuated along with a lowered beltline for a more aggressive stance.

Four-cylinder Mustangs have dual exhaust pipes, while the V8 has a quad design. The car a noise cancellation system to remove undesirable mechanical sounds as well as adding in some augmented noise to enhance the natural soundtrack.

Paint colours include two new hues, Vapor Blue and Yellow Splash 3C, while a ‘Sinister’ Bronze customization pack applies bronze finishes to wheels, badges and other trims.