Ford Mustang lovers have something “new” to get excited about - yet another special edition Mustang has joined the line-up of exclusive models, and will be available in small numbers, of course - only 100 are headed for South African homes. The model we’re referring to is the 2022 Ford Mustang California Special which pays homage to the 1968 California Special models which were, in turn, inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT notchback coupé prototype, the result of a specific regional design by one of the many Mustang owners’ clubs which sprang up all across the USA in the late sixties. This special edition model featured a blacked-out grille, fog lights, side racing stripes that ended ahead of the rear side air scoops, and a Shelby-inspired spoiler - and only 100 were produced.
Styling
Following hot on the heels of the 2019 manual Mustang Bullitt and the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, the 2022 Mustang California Special echoes the ‘67 model with side air scoops behind the doors and sports a rear wing from the GT Performance Package. In front, a larger front splitter and Ebony Black honeycomb grille with a GT/CS badge in Race Red make for an imposing visage. (Ford says that the GT/CS the side stripes running from the front to the rear wings feature a hidden 'California Special' script, which is only visible in sunny conditions.)
Five-spoke alloys in Carbonised Grey complement the side skirts, front splitter, and rear diffuser. Speaking of the rear, you’ll notice the voluminous tailpipes (linked to the Active Valve Performance exhaust with ‘Good Neighbour mode’) as well as the GT/CS California Special badging in the centre of the glossy black boot-lid.
Colour choices include striking metallics namely Atlas Blue (see below), Cyber Orange, Rapid Red (pictured above), Dark Matter Grey, Carbonized Grey and a brand new colour namely Oil Slick Purple. Solid colours comprise Oxford Black and Oxford White.
Inside the California Special
The Mustang California Special also has its own collection of charms and features inside, such as heated and cooled front seats in grey ‘Miko’ environmentally-friendly faux suede with red topstitching, while the seats and floor mats get the GT/CS treatment in the way of embossed lettering. The instrument panel is finished in Carbon Hex aluminium, but real carbon fibre would have created a more upmarket ambience, for sure. The door sills have also been adorned with illuminated Mustang lettering.
Hands-free communication and entertainment are taken care of by Ford’s latest SYNC3 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - you just plug in your phone and smartphone mirroring is activated at once.
The drive
We know and love the Mustang for its unadulterated V8 growl and its fiery retro look, but it’s not a razor-sharp weapon built for wielding around corners with reckless abandon, and it’s nowhere near as sharp and controlled as the Mercedes-AMG E 53, for example, despite the standard limited-slip differential and MagneRide Damping system.
The Mustang is more about looking great and sounding brilliant, however - and it’s rather agreeable for daily use, apart from being a tad thirsty if you can’t control the impulse to plant your right foot hard at any given occasion - but if you do, it's mainly to hear its glorious, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre soundtrack. Our test route along a quiet Clarence Drive, one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world, afforded us plenty of opportunities to just 'let rip' and 'give it horns', (within the legal limit, of course), to the delight of children and adults out and about on a variety of lookout points. The Mustang is such a crowd pleaser!
Power figures from the V8 engine are rated at 330 kW and 529 Nm and its 0-100 km/h sprint time is done and dusted in 4.5 seconds. The Mustang California Special gets Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission which is best utilised in Drive mode and not via the steering-mounted flappy paddles - it’s just more skilled at selecting gears on your behalf. You can also choose between Normal, Sport, Track, and Snow/Wet driving modes on any day of the week.
As for semi-self-driving tech, the Mustang is equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Collision Assist, as well as Lane Keeping Alert. The Mustang is also able to brake hard and fast, courtesy of large-diameter 380 x 34mm ventilated discs and six-piston fixed-aluminium Brembo callipers in front, along with 330 x 25mm discs and floating Brembo callipers at the back.
Verdict
The Mustang is the world’s best-loved sports car for the seventh consecutive year, not because of its precision or its corner-carving abilities, but because of its beauty which also lies in its essence, in its representation of everything that is cool, free-spirited, and rebellious. The Mustang may not be perfect, but it’s the perfect sports car for many.
The new Mustang California Special will cost you R 1 154 900.
