TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Ford Mustang

2015 Ford Mustang, Picture: TopSpeed.com

It has been rumored for quite some time now that the future generation Ford Mustang will drop its usual retro look and will adopt an exterior design that is "more technical, more modern" and inspired by the Ford Evos concept unveiled last fall at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. This decision was made in order to transform the muscle car into a model fit to go global.

The future model will still look like a Mustang and will keep its familiar shark-nosed grille and round headlights, but it will be the "most European-friendly version of the coupe ever."

A few changes will also be made under the hood. While the 2015 Mustang will keep its usual rear-wheel-drive configuration, it is expected to also get an independent rear suspension. The top version will keep the usual V8 engines, but the base models will get a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that will deliver about 300 HP.

The sixth generation Ford Mustang will be unveiled in 2014 in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mustang line.

Source: TopSpeed

There's still a strong demand for muscle cars

Picture: Ridelust.com

Carroll Shelby has never shied away from a challenge – especially one he’s set for himself. And ever since teaming up with one-time Ford President Lee Iacocca back in the mid-1960s, Shelby continually has found ways to pump more power out of the back wheels of a Mustang.

His latest effort, on display at the NY Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, is the Shelby 1000, which makes a cool 950 horsepower on the street, 1,100 hp in the track edition.

Shelby isn’t alone. The halls of the Javits Center are filled with an array of high-performance models, including the new Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, at 621 hp, and the 593 hp McLaren MP4-12C. Barely two decades ago, a top-line performer such as the Porsche 911 could barely squeeze out 200 ponies. Today, there are more than 70 models making at least 500, and a baker’s dozen top 600 hp.