ford mustang 2014 california special
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Optional GT/CS Package Kicks Things up a Notch California dreamin' on such a winter’s day? Ford’s got just the cure in its “California Special” GT/CS Mustang, which pays homage to the limited-edition Mustang package sold by California dealers in 1968. First Glance: She’s a Beauty The first thing that came to mind as I glanced at my Race Red GT/CS Mustang was, “Wow, what a looker.” The car was loaded with numerous Mustang goodies including 19-inch gloss black-painted machined aluminum wheels, body-color side scoops, a pedestal decklid spoiler, heated leather trim sport seats and a stainless steel dual exhaust. The car was even equipped with a limited-slip axle. The car’s side mirrors, with optional pony projection lights, cast the image of the Mustang's famous pony emblem on the ground when the unlock button is activated. How cool is that? California Special Package The California Special Package is an appearance package option offered on Premium edition GT Mustangs, Features include: Arresting black billet grille with a body-color surround Tri-bar Pony badge Unique lower fascia with fog lamps Body-color side scoops Rear pedestal decklid spoiler and unique decklid badge with “California Special” displayed on the rear gas cap badge Diffuser-style rear lower fascia insert 19-inch gloss black painted machined aluminum wheels with P245/45-19 A/S tires Aluminum instrument panel with carbon-style finish Exclusive interior Miko suede door panel inserts Leather-trimmed seats with Miko suede inserts and contrast stitching Premium carpeted front floor mats with an embroidered California Special logo While no performance upgrades are offered as part of the package, there are plenty of visual enhancements for drivers looking to kick things up a notch. In the Driver's Seat: Feel like a Star My California Special Mustang was loaded with several interior creature comforts. Take, for instance, the dual zone electronic automatic temperature control system. This option, which is part of the optional Electronics Package, allows for different temperature settings depending on where you’re sitting in the car. Another feature of the Electronics Package was the car’s navigation system, which was equipped with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. The Mustang was also equipped with ambient lighting, which is a standard feature on Premium GT Mustangs. Some other noteworthy standard features include a universal garage door opener, an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror, SiriusXM satellite radio and a LCD message center with MyColor and Track Apps. The car’s optional Comfort Package included six-way adjustable power heated front seats and the heated side mirrors with pony projection lights. In all, the cabin felt very comfortable, with plenty of visual accents, like GT/CS lettering on the dash. While the back seat area felt somewhat cramped, kids and small adults shouldn’t have a problem back there for short periods of time. I found the driver’s side setup to be comfortable, even for extended periods of driving. The steering wheel’s integrated audio controls continue to be a great feature. On the Road: Well Balanced with Plenty of Power One of my favorite memories of the GT/CS was taking it out for a cruise. With 420 horsepower and 390 of torque at my disposal, the Mustang’s V8 engine did not disappoint. In an effort to really soak up the whole “California” experience, I took the GT/CS out for a Saturday morning cruise along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. With the ocean to my left and the mountains to my right, the GT/CS galloped along, eager for action. Somewhere between Point Dume and Leo Carrillo State Beach I had an opportunity to really open her up. The GT/CS accelerated quickly, with ease. Even better was the sound of that dual exhaust as I put my foot to the floor. On my return trip back to Los Angeles, I navigated through the narrow two-lane mountain roads that connect Malibu to the San Fernando Valley. The car held nicely to the road, handling twists and turns with ease. My only gripe relates to the car’s rear decklid spoiler. The thing, combined with the rear seat headrests in their up position, obscures the view from the rear view mirror, and can take some getting used. That said, it’s not a deal breaker and the headrests do fold down. Journey's End: Plenty of Visual Bang for the Buck I had a blast driving the 2013 GT/CS Mustang for a week here in Los Angeles. In a town that’s all about glitz and glam, the car felt right at home. While some folks may balk at the GT/CS due to its absence of noticeable performance upgrades like those found on the GT500 or Boss 302, I think the car is a real deal. For only $1,995, buyers can transform an already slick-looking premium GT Mustang into a pony that’s sure to attract attention. That said, if you’re dead-set on performance enhancements, you can always opt for the optional Brembo Brake Package, as well as numerous performance upgrades offered by Ford Racing Performance Parts. The GT/CS Mustang, which is assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan, is available in both coupe and convertible versions; purchase entitles the owner to inclusion in the official enthusiast-run GT/CS Registry. It comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty, and 5 years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance. In Brief What I Liked About the 2013 GT/CS California Special Ford Mustang: Great overall value for the package priceThe car sports some amazing looksThe car’s pony projection lights were a great optional feature What I Didn't Like About the 2013 GT/CS California Special Ford Mustang: The rear seat headrests in their up position, combined with the rear-pedestal decklid spoiler, can make for some serious blind spots Who Should Buy the 2013 GT/CS California Special Ford Mustang: Buyers seeking a Mustang that stands out in a crowd with its exterior features Who should not buy the 2013 GT/CS California Special Ford Mustang: Buyers seeking serious performance upgrades in addition to custom exterior stylingThose seeking a high mileage vehicle. On average, our tester got 16 mpg, combined highway and freeway driving in Los Angeles Manufacturer's Site| ጋէклιςሪኪел рсаг вոдοቅጊ | Мυ оц ιρኢтխቲ | Тοпуχюպու խшиնучաթ |
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The 2017 Ford Mustang GT California Special | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet The 2017 Ford Mustang California Special is partly a throwback to the muscle car heyday of tire-smoking Camaros, Challengers, Road Runners and more. This Ford pony car is also one very smart take on an automotive genre that’s often criticized for being stuck in the past. Sure, American sports cars go fast in a straight line, but they’re wet noodles when it comes time to brake or steer. Or at least that is the undeserved and outdated perception. A 1,000-plus mile road-trip in this modern ‘Stang uncovered plenty of unexpected qualities, particularly when it came time to refuel. Yes, you can go ape and do burn-outs everywhere you go (police permitting, of course). And let’s be clear, this isn’t a car you’re going to move homes in, unless you’re running from the law and need every ounce of power from the V8 engine under the hood. The California Special option kit adds an extra dash of retro appeal onto an already cool package. This Mustang isn’t for everyone, true, but its demeanor makes it far more appealing to a wider audience than you’d imagine. The California Special adds a larger front splitter, black painted 19-inch alloys, black hood strips and a raised rear spoiler | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet Exterior Our test car was finished in “Race Red” and, wow, did it look the part. When it arrived for the 2015 model year, this sixth-generation Mustang left some people underwhelmed. Longer and lower than the outgoing version, the hugely hyped introduction at the New York Auto Show (Ford squeezed a ’15 Mustang onto the roof of the Empire State Building, for crying out loud!) revealed a car that didn’t look dramatically different from its predecessor. Over time, however, the shark-like nose and forward leaning tail-end have grown on us. A 2017 Camaro ultimately looks angrier, with its turret-like greenhouse and pinched headlamps. For pure nostalgia, nothing tops the Dodge Challenger, especially when fitted with racing strips and Mopar’s wonderfully garish range of lime, orange, yellow, and purple color choices. The Mustang GT has some advantages. For starters, you can see out of the car – sorry Camaro owners. It also looks fresher than the aging Challenger, even if the big bad Dodge remains as huggable as a basket of English bulldog puppies. The California Special option package adds unique 19-inch black painted aluminum wheels, a large front splitter, black side mirrors and raised rear spoiler, black hood spoiler and air extracts, a tri-bar Mustang pony emblem in the front grille, along with a faux rear gas cap with “California GT Special” emblazoned on it. Exterior pros and cons + The sixth-gen Mustang is aging very nicely. + California Special add-ons don’t go overboard in terms of retro touches. They’re cool and classy, not overblown. – The Camaro and Challenger also look like they’d knock you over and steal your milk money. Today’s muscle cars look great, all of them do. So really, it’s a design toss up with the competition. The V8 delivers 435 horsepower | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet Powertrain The California Special package is only available when choosing the GT Premium trim level, either in Coupe or Convertible format. This gets you a V8 with 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. You have a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed SelectShift automatic. Purists might freak out, but given the length of our test drive, we weren’t bummed to spot the auto when poking our heads into this Mustang for the first time. It’s a great transmission, perfectly tuned into the power of the V8. Acceleration is fierce and the sound is an all-American rumble that is always present, even at idle. On the open highway, the powertrain settles down to an effortless cruise, which is where the surprisingly good fuel economy came into play. Our initial 500-plus mile drive down to North Carolina netted a MPG average! No, we weren’t feathering the gas or trying to be cheapskates. The V8 just wafts along and is remarkably easy on your fuel budget … but only until you’re back to city driving. In town, things got a lot more realistic with an economy average that hovered around 18 miles per gallon. Powertrain pros and cons + Strong V8 power, and solid highway fuel economy. – City economy isn’t nearly as impressive. – The V8 makes many of Ford’s hyped EcoBoost V6s look like fuel guzzlers in comparison. So maybe that’s a plus point? The Mustang cabin is comfortable, at least for those in the front seats | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet Interior The California Special adds some special touches – microfiber inserts in the seats and contrast stitching – but for the most part, you’re looking at the standard Mustang GT cockpit. A dash plaque on the passenger’s side of the dash is a nice touch and impressed front occupants. Those in the back won’t heap praise on the ‘Stang cabin, however. It’s cramped back there for adults, though our long-distance rear occupant (a pug named Merlin) didn’t seem to mind. The two main gauges, for revs and speed, are set in deep, round binnacles. We’re not entirely sure why the miles per hour gauge says “Ground Speed,” but it’s really cool. The multi-function, three-spoke steering wheel is useful, and the galloping pony in the center is attractive. Over many hundreds of miles, the cabin was a convenient and comfortable place to be. Interior pros and cons + The California Specials adds custom touches, like contrast stitching and a dash plaque. – Consider this a two-seater with a whole lot of luggage room. Space in the back is very snug for adults. – Turn signals are mounted on the hood, tucked into vents on either side. They look great, when you can see them. From the driver’s seat, unless you’re playing center for the Knicks, they’re practically invisible. The first California Special was introduced on the 1968 Mustang | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet Tech and safety At last, Ford infotainment systems are no longer the software equivalent of a torture chamber. The SYNC3 system in this Mustang is quicker, clearer, and much easier to navigate. Large circular knobs beneath the center screen control volume and radio station tuning, with buttons for the heating and ventilation directly beneath. A smart touch: The heated and cooled seats are controlled via simple buttons, not embedded in layers of superfluous menus. Luxury carmakers, please take note of this! Our test car also came equipped with the 12-speaker Shaker audio system. The sound is beefy and bass-rich, thanks in part to the large subwoofer that takes a chunk out of trunk space. Tech pros and cons + Ford infotainment systems have finally entered the 21st century. – The center screen is a touch on the small side, but that’s only a minor flaw. Acceleration is fierce, but the Mustang doesn’t beat you up in everyday driving | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet The drive It’s not often we get to know a car as intimately as this Mustang GT California Special. Driving from New York City down to eastern North Carolina, this Ford could have tested our patience – and wallet – had it been a rough-riding fuel hog. The suspension is firm, of course, though you expect that in a car with 435 horsepower and a Mustang badge on its nose. Thankfully the independent rear suspension makes this sixth-gen ‘Stang a much more capable dance partner when the road gets bumpy, or slick with rain. Punching the gas is always fun, which is why our city fuel economy numbers were only this side of what you’d get in, say, a Lamborghini or Ford Super Duty pickup. Point. Rev. Punch gas and go! It never gets old – and passengers expect this kind of childish behavior in a bright red Mustang. We knocked the Camaro for visibility due to a low greenhouse, so now it’s time to levy some judgement on the Mustang. There is more glass to the outside world, except you’re looking out and over a huge front hood. Be careful when pulling head-on into parking spots, because that front splitter is much lower than you think. The handling does a good job of letting you know what each wheel is doing, even if ultimate grip is usually decided by the gas pedal and not the steering wheel. A modern muscle car, the Mustang California Special has retro appeal and surprising civility | Nick Kurczewski/Autos Cheat Sheet Wrap up and review For $1,995, the California Special package is a bargain when it comes to injecting extra attitude into the Mustang GT. You do have to pony up roughly $33,000 for the V8-powered Mustang, and that’s before the extra cost of the California Special package and other add-ons. This is still a whole lot of car for the money, considering the blend of power, heritage, and tough-guy styling. We know, the automatic on our test car might lose points for ultimate coolness. But for a 10-plus hour road-trip, the transmission was a capable companion. Our only regret is that the six-speed manual would have made it easier to rev the V8 at every red light and stop sign. Room in the back stinks, plain and simple. Yet cargo room isn’t bad for two people and a week’s worth of luggage – not to mention a dog crate mounted behind the front seats. This is a very modern and livable muscle car, one that could definitely serve as a daily driver without rattling you to pieces.
Ford has continued to create special edition Mustangs through the years, like the Mystichrome Cobra, Bullitt GT, and Warriors in Pink Mustang, with more to come. Included here are descriptions and