The seventh-generation Ford Mustang is here, and while the exterior styling doesn’t stray too far from its predecessor, there’s a whole new ball game inside. Slip behind the wheel and you’ll find a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster that can be adjusted in a variety of ways. That includes retro gauges, and we can’t imagine anything better than jamming to Baby Ice Ice while perusing the classic Fox body dial.
Of course, we are talking about the third generation Ford Mustang, which is built on the live Fox Ford platform very long live. Launched in 1979, the platform will last (in a modified form) until the fourth generation in 2004. However, fox body refers to the iconic ‘Stangs’ wedge bent back in 1993, and thanks to modern technology, you can rock those retro gauges in your 2024 model.
Ford is offering some retro gauge setup for the new Mustang, though we suspect the Fox’s simple body layout might catch the eye the most. The design of the dashboard and instrument cluster evolved throughout the third generation, but the layout has always been the same: two large dials on a black background with the tachometer on the left, and the speedometer on the right. Four smaller gauges surround it, although the digital version simplifies it with just fuel and engine temperature. For obvious reasons, the tach doesn’t show a 6,500 rpm redline. It was a very different 5.0 V8 for a different era.
The digital dash sits next to a central 13.2-inch display which can be combined behind a single screen as an option. The result is a remarkable interior transformation that completely modernizes the old-fashioned look of the sixth-generation car, combining Ford’s SYNC 4 system with a plethora of driver-assist technologies and connected features. The greenhouse and technology is arguably the biggest news story around the 2024 model, which still offers a choice of a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, or an updated 5.0-liter Coyote V8.
There are still some mysteries surrounding the new Mustang, namely regarding horsepower and price. But the classic gauge is a cool touch we can’t wait to sample on our first Mustang drive. If that doesn’t happen by the end of 2022, you can expect it to be early next year.
For a deeper look into the Ford Mustang 2024, check out our First Look video below:
