Ford Mustang FX shows the 1990s are far enough away to be retro now
Have we moved on from the 1960s being the go-to decade for retro automotive design cues?
Though the design of the latest S650-series Ford Mustang still nods to the early years of the iconic pony car, as most of its generations have, its latest special edition is looking towards the more recent past.
The FX package, as the name suggests, pays homage to the Fox Body Mustang produced from 1979 to 1993, but its design elements are looking distinctly towards the latter end of that run.
Pictured alongside a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the FX package is claimed to have 'Fox Body swagger with a modern edge'.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Ford has released only a short teaser video on social media, but US outlets including Car & Driver have published more information on the special edition that's unlikely to come to Australia.
It's available with the GT Premium trim (equivalent to our GT), which comes standard with a 5.0-litre V8, and as either a coupe or convertible and with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission.
It's been revealed in a distinctly 1990s shade of teal – or, as Ford calls, it Adriatic Blue metallic.
The 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in Oxford White, which is also used for the pony and 'nostrils' on the grille, and as an outline on other badging on the vehicle's exterior.
Ford has also shown off the white tail-lights, reminiscent of the clear-lens units used on export versions of the previous S550.
Inside, there are black Recaro seats with plaid inserts. There's also an emblem on the dashboard that uses the same typeface as the old Foxes.
Ford had already harkened back to the angular Fox Body with the latest S650 generation, incorporating a layout for its digital instrument cluster intended to resemble the analogue gauges of its predecessor.
Amusingly, Toyota has also released a special edition of one of its vehicles called the FX, which also pays homage to a vehicle sold during the 1980s.
The Corolla FX Edition is also only an appearance package, but it's based on the standard Corolla hatchback in the US with its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Not quite as exciting as the Mustang FX, then…
Other companies to look towards the 1980s and 1990s for design cues include Nissan with its latest Z, which has tail-lights inspired by the Z32 300ZX, while Hyundai's square lighting elements on vehicles like the Ioniq 5 have a distinctly 1980s flavour, even if that electric vehicle (EV) is inspired by a 1970s concept car.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
39 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Only four per cent of Aussies take their SUV off-road
A study by Continental Tyres has revealed only four per cent of Australians take their SUVs off-road – despite buying them for their 'outdoor' appeal. Australians buy more SUVs than any other vehicle type, with higher-riding five-door wagons having overtaken conventional sedans and hatchbacks as the most popular body type in 2017 – and every year since. Despite the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes making headlines as the nation's top-selling models, SUVs of varying sizes still make up the majority of new car purchases each year. The Toyota RAV4 was the second-best selling vehicle – and top-selling SUV – in Australia in 2024 and remains behind only the Ranger year-to-date. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The popularity of SUVs – which saw almost 700,000 sold in 2024, accounting for more than half of all new cars sold here – has prompted tyre brands including Continental to develop an SUV-specific tyre for Australian customers. The German tyre manufacturer surveyed 1000 Australian drivers during the development of its UltraContact UX7 tyre to determine if there was genuine customer demand for an SUV-specific tyre – and what those demands were. Its survey showed one-in-four Australians associated SUVs with a sense of adventure and outdoor recreation, yet only four per cent took their SUVs off-road. The figure isn't a shock given the term SUV – a marketing slogan that stands for Sports Utility Vehicle – now refers to a variety of vehicles, from car-based urban compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 through to genuine off-road capable vehicles such as the ladder-frame Ford Everest 4×4. The term 'crossover' or CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) is not widely used in Australia but typically refers to car-based or 'unibody' vehicles – such as the Toyota Corolla Cross – with increased ride height and ground clearance compared to a hatch or sedan. More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents purchased their SUV for its 'high driving position' and perceived additional luggage space, while 62 per cent said improved visibility due to the driving position played a key factor in their decision to buy an SUV. A total of 21 per cent purchased their SUV for 'family transport' and 19 per cent for long-distance travel. Yet Continetal found most Australians said they would buy an SUV-specific tyre – hence its introduction of the UltraContact UX7 – despite almost half (46 per cent) of respondents buying their SUV mainly for 'everyday transport'. It wasn't all positive, with a quarter (25 per cent) of respondents saying SUVs are more difficult to park, with 17 per cent suggesting the space they take up on the road is a drawback. More than 55 per cent believed SUVs are no more dangerous than other vehicle types, but 11 per cent did say SUVs drivers are rude and 10 per cent described SUV drivers as 'aggressive'.
Perth Now
39 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Only four per cent of Aussies take their SUV off-road
A study by Continental Tyres has revealed only four per cent of Australians take their SUVs off-road – despite buying them for their 'outdoor' appeal. Australians buy more SUVs than any other vehicle type, with higher-riding five-door wagons having overtaken conventional sedans and hatchbacks as the most popular body type in 2017 – and every year since. Despite the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes making headlines as the nation's top-selling models, SUVs of varying sizes still make up the majority of new car purchases each year. The Toyota RAV4 was the second-best selling vehicle – and top-selling SUV – in Australia in 2024 and remains behind only the Ranger year-to-date. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The popularity of SUVs – which saw almost 700,000 sold in 2024, accounting for more than half of all new cars sold here – has prompted tyre brands including Continental to develop an SUV-specific tyre for Australian customers. The German tyre manufacturer surveyed 1000 Australian drivers during the development of its UltraContact UX7 tyre to determine if there was genuine customer demand for an SUV-specific tyre – and what those demands were. Its survey showed one-in-four Australians associated SUVs with a sense of adventure and outdoor recreation, yet only four per cent took their SUVs off-road. The figure isn't a shock given the term SUV – a marketing slogan that stands for Sports Utility Vehicle – now refers to a variety of vehicles, from car-based urban compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 through to genuine off-road capable vehicles such as the ladder-frame Ford Everest 4×4. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The term 'crossover' or CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) is not widely used in Australia but typically refers to car-based or 'unibody' vehicles – such as the Toyota Corolla Cross – with increased ride height and ground clearance compared to a hatch or sedan. More than two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents purchased their SUV for its 'high driving position' and perceived additional luggage space, while 62 per cent said improved visibility due to the driving position played a key factor in their decision to buy an SUV. A total of 21 per cent purchased their SUV for 'family transport' and 19 per cent for long-distance travel. Yet Continetal found most Australians said they would buy an SUV-specific tyre – hence its introduction of the UltraContact UX7 – despite almost half (46 per cent) of respondents buying their SUV mainly for 'everyday transport'. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It wasn't all positive, with a quarter (25 per cent) of respondents saying SUVs are more difficult to park, with 17 per cent suggesting the space they take up on the road is a drawback. More than 55 per cent believed SUVs are no more dangerous than other vehicle types, but 11 per cent did say SUVs drivers are rude and 10 per cent described SUV drivers as 'aggressive'.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Ford Ranger Raptor claims third Finke Desert Race in a row
The Ford Ranger Raptor has won the Finke Desert Race for the third consecutive year, setting a new Production 4WD class record time in the process. Driven by Brad Lovell and navigated by Adam Lovell, the Ranger Raptor underlined its desert-smashing capability by dominating its class in the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race over the long weekend. The experienced Lovell duo set a new category record despite especially challenging conditions this year on the grueling 460km course from Alice Springs to Finke and back. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Finke win extends the Ranger Raptor's undefeated streak in major off-road races, following its class win at the 2022 Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert Race in 2023 and 2024. "Getting the third win here at Finke, especially on such a tough track and setting a new class record, is just incredible," said driver Brad Lovell. "This Ranger Raptor is an absolute weapon. It handled everything we threw at it, proving its toughness and performance. I couldn't be prouder of the team and this truck." Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook said the Australian-developed Ranger Raptor's latest race win highlights its position as the benchmark for high-performance off-road production vehicles. "To see the Ranger Raptor achieve a three-peat at Finke is phenomenal," he said. "This truck is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and its ability to deliver extreme capability and durability in the harshest environments. Its undefeated record across Baja and Finke speaks volumes about its DNA." Ford Australia Special Vehicle Engineering program manager Justin Capicchiano said: "Designing a truck that can perform like this in production class racing is what we strive for. "The Finke Desert Race is the ultimate test, and for the Ranger Raptor to not only win three times in a row but also set a new record shows the strength and resilience built into the race-prepared vehicle." MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: The Ford Ranger Raptor has won the Finke Desert Race for the third consecutive year, setting a new Production 4WD class record time in the process. Driven by Brad Lovell and navigated by Adam Lovell, the Ranger Raptor underlined its desert-smashing capability by dominating its class in the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race over the long weekend. The experienced Lovell duo set a new category record despite especially challenging conditions this year on the grueling 460km course from Alice Springs to Finke and back. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Finke win extends the Ranger Raptor's undefeated streak in major off-road races, following its class win at the 2022 Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert Race in 2023 and 2024. "Getting the third win here at Finke, especially on such a tough track and setting a new class record, is just incredible," said driver Brad Lovell. "This Ranger Raptor is an absolute weapon. It handled everything we threw at it, proving its toughness and performance. I couldn't be prouder of the team and this truck." Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook said the Australian-developed Ranger Raptor's latest race win highlights its position as the benchmark for high-performance off-road production vehicles. "To see the Ranger Raptor achieve a three-peat at Finke is phenomenal," he said. "This truck is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and its ability to deliver extreme capability and durability in the harshest environments. Its undefeated record across Baja and Finke speaks volumes about its DNA." Ford Australia Special Vehicle Engineering program manager Justin Capicchiano said: "Designing a truck that can perform like this in production class racing is what we strive for. "The Finke Desert Race is the ultimate test, and for the Ranger Raptor to not only win three times in a row but also set a new record shows the strength and resilience built into the race-prepared vehicle." MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: The Ford Ranger Raptor has won the Finke Desert Race for the third consecutive year, setting a new Production 4WD class record time in the process. Driven by Brad Lovell and navigated by Adam Lovell, the Ranger Raptor underlined its desert-smashing capability by dominating its class in the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race over the long weekend. The experienced Lovell duo set a new category record despite especially challenging conditions this year on the grueling 460km course from Alice Springs to Finke and back. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Finke win extends the Ranger Raptor's undefeated streak in major off-road races, following its class win at the 2022 Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert Race in 2023 and 2024. "Getting the third win here at Finke, especially on such a tough track and setting a new class record, is just incredible," said driver Brad Lovell. "This Ranger Raptor is an absolute weapon. It handled everything we threw at it, proving its toughness and performance. I couldn't be prouder of the team and this truck." Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook said the Australian-developed Ranger Raptor's latest race win highlights its position as the benchmark for high-performance off-road production vehicles. "To see the Ranger Raptor achieve a three-peat at Finke is phenomenal," he said. "This truck is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and its ability to deliver extreme capability and durability in the harshest environments. Its undefeated record across Baja and Finke speaks volumes about its DNA." Ford Australia Special Vehicle Engineering program manager Justin Capicchiano said: "Designing a truck that can perform like this in production class racing is what we strive for. "The Finke Desert Race is the ultimate test, and for the Ranger Raptor to not only win three times in a row but also set a new record shows the strength and resilience built into the race-prepared vehicle." MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: The Ford Ranger Raptor has won the Finke Desert Race for the third consecutive year, setting a new Production 4WD class record time in the process. Driven by Brad Lovell and navigated by Adam Lovell, the Ranger Raptor underlined its desert-smashing capability by dominating its class in the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race over the long weekend. The experienced Lovell duo set a new category record despite especially challenging conditions this year on the grueling 460km course from Alice Springs to Finke and back. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Finke win extends the Ranger Raptor's undefeated streak in major off-road races, following its class win at the 2022 Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert Race in 2023 and 2024. "Getting the third win here at Finke, especially on such a tough track and setting a new class record, is just incredible," said driver Brad Lovell. "This Ranger Raptor is an absolute weapon. It handled everything we threw at it, proving its toughness and performance. I couldn't be prouder of the team and this truck." Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook said the Australian-developed Ranger Raptor's latest race win highlights its position as the benchmark for high-performance off-road production vehicles. "To see the Ranger Raptor achieve a three-peat at Finke is phenomenal," he said. "This truck is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and its ability to deliver extreme capability and durability in the harshest environments. Its undefeated record across Baja and Finke speaks volumes about its DNA." Ford Australia Special Vehicle Engineering program manager Justin Capicchiano said: "Designing a truck that can perform like this in production class racing is what we strive for. "The Finke Desert Race is the ultimate test, and for the Ranger Raptor to not only win three times in a row but also set a new record shows the strength and resilience built into the race-prepared vehicle." MORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from:
