Special edition Ford Mustang55 revealed

A new model of the Ford Mustang has been revealed to celebrate the iconic muscle car’s 55th anniversary. Available as both a ‘fastback’ coupe and a convertible, the Mustang55 special edition brings new colours and styling touches, and you’ll be able to order it from August. At the same time, Ford has announced changes to the EcoBoost and Bullitt Mustang models.

The Ford Mustang55 is based on the Mustang GT with its 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine. Power is unchanged at 444bhp, and you can opt for either a six-speed manual gearbox or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Its rivals include the Audi A5 coupe, BMW 4 Series and Nissan 370Z.

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The Mustang55 stands out thanks to black dissolve-effect stripes on the bonnet and body, a black roof and black 19-inch alloy wheels. Black is also used on the grilles and badging, and you can choose an optional black spoiler. That’s unless you choose Ford’s Shadow Black metallic paint, and then the stripes are painted silver. Four new paint colours - Twister Orange, Grabber Lime, Iconic Silver and Lucid Red - have been included across the Mustang range, and these are available for the special-edition model.

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As it’s based on the range-topping model, the Mustang55 gets heated and cooled front seats, a 12-speaker B&O sound system, DAB radio on the SYNC 3 infotainment system and FordPass Connect, and an in-car modem that allows you to remotely unlock and start the car (on automatic models), as well as check where you’ve parked and access online services.

The standard Mustang is also available with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that’s shared with the new Ford Focus ST. Ford has given the EcoBoost Mustang a range of performance and styling upgrades, such as active valves on the exhaust system and a new ‘Good Neighbour’ mode that prevents the car starting too loudly early in the morning. A ‘Drag Strip’ driving mode is also included, alongside styling changes like a classic-look grille and accents painted in Magnetic grey.

At the same time, Ford has revealed that the Mustang Bullitt will remain on sale in Europe for another year. There has been huge demand for the Bullitt special edition, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the original Bullitt film and Mustang. Finished in either Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black, the Bullitt model features unique 19-inch alloy wheels, red Brembo brakes, a different grille, a cue-ball gear lever and Bullitt badges. Its 5.0-litre engine has been tuned slightly, so it produces an extra 10bhp over the standard car.

Read our Ford Mustang review, and see where it places on our list of best sports cars.