Ford Bronco is back. And how!

When it was introduced in 1966, Ford Bronco was one of the pioneers of the body-style we call ‘SUV’ today. Over the next 30 years and five generations, the Bronco developed a cult following in the American market only to be axed in 1996. After a 24-year hiatus, the iconic nameplate returns later this year with Ford unveiling the all-new Bronco range last evening to satiate hordes of American fans and loyalists who were starting to get really impatient waiting for this reveal.

Going against the legendary Jeep Wrangler, the born-again Bronco has it’s task cut out. Is Ford’s newest model up for the challenge? What’s good about it? What could have been better? Let’s find out. 

Good: Bronco is now a sub-brand with 3 models

For most of it’s existence, the Bronco has been a standalone model. The Bronco II – that just shared the name but had completely different underpinnings and was made from 1980 to 1987 – was a notable exception. In it’s comeback though, the Bronco has grown into a whole sub-brand of sorts. The line-up comprises three models – the two-door Bronco, the first-ever four-door Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport. None of them have the ‘Blue Oval’ logo up front. Instead, they have B-R-O-N-C-O written in a bold font across the grille. Bucking bronco logos are placed on the tailgate, steering wheel and gear-shifter, signaling the confidence Ford had in ‘Brand Bronco’.

While the two Broncos are hardcore, body-on-frame off-roaders built off the Ranger platform, the Bronco Sport is an Escape-based monocoque for those who prefer the boxy look and feel but prefer car-like dynamics and can do with limited off-road capability. With the trio, Ford has expanded the reach of Bronco to a wider customer base that a standalone two-door model would have struggled to impress.

Good: Bronco’s retro-modern styling works

Re-imagining an old classic is always an exercise akin to treading a thin line. A slip is all it takes to fall flat on your face. In that context, Ford’s designers have done a fab job with the new Bronco. 

The all-new Bronco looks faithful to the ‘classic’ 1966 model, yet is thoroughly contemporary. The boxy, squared-off looks with the wheels pushed off to the corners is macho, timeless and purposeful. The lighting signature up front, the nameplate writ large across the grille, the massively-flared and clad wheel arches, the A-pillar mounted rear view mirrors and frameless doors are the highlights. Both the two- and four-door models have modular roof sections and removable door panels , providing the occupants a quick and easy open air experience. 

The Bronco Sport carries over a lot of the traits of the bigger siblings but has it’s own distinct identity. Exclusively available with a fixed roof and four doors, the baby Bronco carries the family flag proudly in its front lighting signature, the way the grille’s enclosure encompasses the headlights and those shoulder lines that kinks up just before it meets the C-pillar. The C-pillar itself has a different treatment, not very dissimilar to some Land Rover models of the past.

The interiors look the part too. The design is straightforward, no doubt, but the colours chosen for the upholstery give these mud-pluggers a plush look while the optional 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the latest SYNC 4 makes this a tech-rich cabin.

Built Wild they may be, as Ford calls them, there is no denying the fact the Broncos are handsome brutes!

Good: Broncos are purpose-built G.O.A.T vehicles

No, the GOAT here isn’t what you think it is. It means “Go Over Any Terrain” - a phrase that fits the Bronco to the tee and was coined for marketing the 1966 model. Ford’s venerable SUV has always been manufactured with an intent to take it’s occupants to places a regular automobile can’t dare enter. That purpose hasn’t changed one bit. The new Bronco, just like it’s arch-rival Jeep Wrangler, is designed to shine off-road. Be it bashing dunes, climbing rocks, fording water bodies or tackling slush, the Bronco twins are game for it. 

With a spec sheet that reads 295 mm ground clearance, 43.2° approach, 29° ramp-over and 37.2° departure angles and 850 mm water-fording capability when equipped with the optional, factory-fitted 35-inch wheels, option of an electronic, shift-on-the-fly transfer case with a 2.71:1 low ratio or an advanced unit with a 3.06:1 low ratio, Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit and Dana 44 AdvanTEK solid rear axle, it is clear Ford has given the Broncos hardware worthy of the G.O.A.T tag. Even the Bronco Sport, looking at Ford’s press images and videos, appear to be quite capable off-road albeit to a much-lesser extent. Depending on the variant, Bronco can offer up to seven terrain modes, cheekily called GOAT modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl!

Trail Toolbox, a cheekily-named suite of tech features, are on offer to further elevate the off-road experience. This includes Trail Control (cruise control for low-speed trail driving), Trail Turn Assist (four-wheel torque vectoring to tighten off-road turning radii) and Trail One Pedal Drive (acceleration and braking controlled through a single pedal for more precise and confident rock crawling).  

Complementing those impressive hardware and software bits are the many thoughtful touches inside the cabin. From front wheel-mounted cameras that relay output to the dash-mounted touchscreen to tackle those tricky off-road sections better to the well-positioned grab handles, those seatback-mounted MOLLE hooks, washable rubberized floors with integrated drains, marine-grade vinyl seating surfaces and the exclusive Trail Mapping System with over 1,000 curated trail maps, every single detail has been thought through.

Best part is, even the Bronco Sport can flex its muscles off tarmac and has the utility hacks to take your outdoor gear with you. Just don’t take it to places where you would a Bronco!

Good: Surprise, there’s a manual transmission!

The bigger Broncos have two engines on offer. The base is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost mill that churns out 270 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. This engine can be paired to either a 7-speed manual transmission (6-speed manual with a crawler gear) or a 10-speed automatic transmission. For those who want more, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 should do with its 310 horsepower and a whopping 542 Nm of torque. The V6 is exclusively mated to the 10-speed auto gearbox. 

The Bronco Sport carries over the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine that now delivers 181 horsepower and 258 Nm of torque. The top-end Badlands trim and the First Edition get an exclusive 2.0-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost good for 245 horsepower and 372 Nm of torque. A 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive hardware are standard across the range. 

Good: Bronco has a rich heritage

Many new cars are launched every month but not all of them have a rich heritage. Bronco, though, has one to be proud of. Sure, the Bronco has never been a big-seller – a fact it’s cumulative sales of just over 1.1 million units across three decades and five generations would allude to. But the way in which the Bronco weaved itself into the American car culture in the seventies and eighties set it apart. In fact, it was this trait that landed Bronco a legion of fans and loyalists who swore by it and made vintage Broncos hot properties in used car showrooms and auction lots. Though Ford hasn't explicitly stated, the Bronco Sport, too, can be considered the spiritual successor to the Bronco II that was made between 1984 and 1990.

If they play their cards right, Ford can build on this legacy to make the Bronco a super hit. So far, they are on the right track.

Good: There’s a Bronco for everyone

Taking a cue from Jeep, Ford is betting big on customization options for the Bronco. When the first models start reaching dealerships later this year, there would be over 200 Ford-backed aftermarket accessories including some factory-branded ones that customers can opt for. In addition to that, Ford claims hundreds of customization opportunities right off the line to make every Bronco out there unique and different to the rest. From different door designs to choose from to overhead-mounted, silicon-sealed accessory switches with pre-wired leads, the Bronco is ready off the factory to head to your favourite tuner.

The same extends to Bronco’s pricing too. With pricing that extends from $29,995 for the Base two-door variant and goes all the way up to $64,995 for the four-door “First Edition”, there is a Bronco for everyone, literally! The smaller Bronco Sport has a more acceptable pricing delta – starting at $28,155 for the Base variant and ending at $39,995 for the ‘First Edition’.   

Not so good: Is Bronco late to the Jeep party?

Now, this is a tough one. Being one of the first SUVs ever made, Bronco had a head start no other rival could dream of. Jeep, of course, is an exception but remember, the Wrangler wasn’t called a Wrangler back then. In that sense, Bronco should have been the oldest SUV in production had Ford not stopped the model in 1996. Between then and now, demand for SUVs and high-riding wannabe SUVs (crossovers, in other words) shot through the roof with every car-maker building many of these to keep their cash registers ringing. Some, like Ford, have even taken a bold stance to cull every one of their cars and focus only on SUVs and crossovers. 

All this while, Jeep made merry with the Wrangler firmly establishing itself as the de-facto choice for hardcore off-roading enthusiasts. That’s the same set of folks the Bronco is out to impress now. Ford, without a doubt, is late to this duel.

Overall, Ford has hardly put a foot wrong so far with the Bronco. Yes, they could have launched this a few years ago but it's better late than never.

If the interest shown for the numerous leaks and hundreds of articles on Bronco’s resurrection since the news leaked out in 2015 is anything to go by, the Bronco is well-armed to take the Wrangler head-on. Watch this space, this is going to be epic!

Ford unveils the all-new 14th-generation F-150

It has been a little over two weeks since Ford took the wraps off the all-new, 14th-generation F-150. While the unveiling has not made it to the headlines in this part of the world, it was a big deal for folks in the United States of America. It had to be! Ford's F-Series trucks - of which the F-150 is an integral part of - has been America's best-selling vehicle since 1981. With sales just shy of 900,000 units in 2019 - an otherwise tough year for Ford - it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Ford's fortunes depends on this model. 

With the all-new model set to take over later this year, Ford would be hoping to continue their stay at the top of the sales charts. In the meanwhile, let's look at what's good and what's not so good in the new F-150 to see if they have done enough.

Good: F-150 reads the pulse of Americans like no other

Not for nothing are the F-Series America's best-selling vehicles 38 years in a row and top-selling pick-ups 43 years on the trot. These trucks have been - and still are - doing something right to enjoy the kind of popularity that's hard to believe for those not in America. If there ever is a vehicle that understands the pulse of Americans and their needs and wants well, it has got to be the F-150. Trust Ford to have put in all this experience to good use in the new F-150.

Not so good: Design is evolutionary, not revolutionary

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Clearly, that's the proverb Ford's designers have taken inspiration from while working on the new F-150. The truck is an evolution of the outgoing model which itself drew heavily from the bad-ass Atlas Concept that debuted way back in 2013. In essence, the design and proportions are eight years old already. What helps though is the fact the Atlas Concept was so futuristic that the new F-150 still looks quite good borrowing cues from it.

Those large headlights wear what Ford calls its new 'C-clamp' signature pattern outlined by LED DRLs. Housed between them is one of the eleven grilles on offer. Mind you, that wasn't a typo! In profile, the stepped-up window line is carried over with the character line running along the doors becoming a bit more prominent now. Taillights mimic the pattern of the headlights on either side of a tailgate which, again, looks different for different variants. Overall, the new F-150 is a truck that won't put you off.   

Problem is, your perception starts changing the moment you bring Tesla's crazy Cybertruck and Rivian's sleek R1T into consideration. Remember, the new F-150 would face off with these two electric trucks too at some point and not just its traditional rivals - Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pick-up.

Good: America's workhorse goes 'hybrid'

FCA stole a march on Ford and GM by equipping the current Ram range with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Ford has now gone one step ahead with a segment-exclusive 'full hybrid' powertrain available as one of the six options in the new F-150.

Dubbed 'PowerBoost', this is essentially Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 adapted to work in tandem with a 35-kilowatt electric motor to deliver what the car-maker claims would be class-leading power and torque figures (Ford hasn't released the numbers yet). The 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack mounted between the frame rails below the load floor takes care of energy storage while an inverter on-board can convert that into alternating current to power tools and devices through 120V or 240V outlets on the loading bed. Yes, this is effectively a generator on wheels!

Other engine options include the familiar 3.3-liter V6, 2.7-liter 'EcoBoost' V6, 5.0-liter 'Coyote' V8, 3.0-liter 'PowerStroke' diesel and the same 3.5-liter 'EcoBoost' V6 sans electrification.

Not so good: Interiors could do with more pomp

Look at the F-150's cabin in isolation and all you see is a good, feature-loaded cabin. The 12-inch digital cluster provides a plethora of information to keep the driver happy while the 12-inch center screen with SYNC 4 and a multitude of connectivity features would keep the passengers and the rest of the occupants engaged. The quality, fit and finish appear better while pictures released of higher variants look properly luxurious.

Where's the problem, then? Ram is the problem. FCA raised the bar for the segment and the new F-150, looking at the initial pictures, isn't going to threaten Ram's supremacy in this department. 

Good: Clever features take the 'Utility Quotient' up

Ford's official press release quotes Chief Operating Officer Jim Farley stating, "Since 1948, our hardworking F-Series customers have trusted Ford to help them get the job done." With the all-new F-150, the engineers at Ford have empowered such customers further by incorporating features that are sure to make their lives better and job-site duties easier.

The "Interior Work Surface" offers a flat mini-table in the center console that can be used for work or that quick meal in the middle-of-nowhere. This clever feature can be accessed by folding the gear lever forward in a recess and flipping the console hand rest by 180 degrees. "Max Recline Seats" fold flat to nearly 180 degrees offering business class levels of comfort for a quick nap. The "Fold Flat Rear Storage" is another interesting solution that locks, folds flat and can accommodate longer equipment away from the prying eyes.

Ford hasn't disappointed the outdoorsy types either. "Zone Lighting" that allow occupants to turn on and off individual sections of exterior lights to light up the work or camp zones in the dark. Thoghtful touches like cleats mounted to the sides, built-in clamp pockets and integrated rulers, pencil holder and mobile device holder and cupholder make the "Tailgate Work Pro" a delight for the hardowrking types.

The party trick though is the "Pro Power Onboard" which makes the F-150 a power source for your outdoor work activities. Depending on the variant, Ford's workshorse comes equipped with 120V and/or 240V outlets that can supply 2.0, 2.4 or 7.2 kilowatts to power everything from a 200-watt battery charger to a 2,400-watt electric dirt bike and a host of other tools and equipment.

Be it a leisurely day at the park or a hard day at the worksite, the F-150 has you covered. Now you know the real meaning of an Utility Vehicle.

Its evident Ford has taken a measured approach with the 14th generation F-150. This is quite unlike the last time around when they turned the segment on its head with extensive use of aluminium for the F-150's construction. While that paid off handsomely, Ford has cleverly retained the bits that worked, reworked the bits that could do with improvements, added a hybrid into the mix and voila, the new F-150 is here! Chevrolet and Ram might inch closer but the F-150's hold on the top step looks set to continue.

Driven #36: 2018 Ford Freestyle

Variant Tested: 1.2L Petrol (Titanium +)

Though Ford wants you to believe otherwise, cross hatchbacks aren't exactly new in India. Volkswagen, Toyota, Fiat and Hyundai have all tried their luck in this segment. The American car-maker joined the party recently with the Freestyle, albeit with changes that are more than skin deep. By doing so, Ford has also given it's Figo (and the Aspire that shares the underpinnings) another chance to prove their mettle.

Will Ford's efforts in a segment where success has traditionally been elusive pay off? We spent a few hours in a Freestyle Titanium +, powered by the all-new 1.2-liter Dragon petrol engine, to find out.

Design & Styling

Walk to the Freestyle and it's clear this is a Figo on stilts. Yet, Ford has done enough to give the Freestyle an unique personality that complements it's 'Compact Utility Vehicle' tagline.

Head-on, the now-familiar hexagonal grille gets a gloss black paint job and looks brilliant. That, together with the smoked headlights and redesigned bumpers with prominent C-shaped fog lamp enclosures finished in - you guessed it right - black, gives the Freestyle a classy look. The theme continues in profile with smoked gunmetal alloy wheels complementing the full-length cladding and dark grey decals. At the rear, the taillights get revised detailing while the bumper gets faux vents that matches the shape of the ones found in the front bumper. 

Unlike most if it's rivals that have just visual add-ons to bring about that crossover effect, Ford's engineers have actually upped the utility quotient of the Freestyle with thoughtful changes. The ride height is up 16mm over the Figo and measures an useful 190mm, so you don't have to think twice when hitting potholes or speed humps that dot our cities. Roof rails aren't just cosmetic and can hold loads up to 50kg. The track is wider than the Figo's and the Freestyle also gets bigger 15-inch wheels shod with beefier rubber.

In all, the Freestyle looks more attractive and refreshing than the Figo, more so in the Canyon Ridge paint job you see here.

That said, this is a case of missed opportunity as well. At a time when car-buying masses go gung-ho about visual illumination elements like projectors, DRLs and LEDs, the Freestyle is completely devoid of them. Even if these add a few thousands to the cost, Ford should have incorporated them at least in the top-spec Titanium + trim level we drove. 

Interiors

When Ford released images of the Freestyle's dual-tone interiors with the brown and black colour combination, "not again" was our first thought, with memories of that awful red-coloured dashboard of the old Figo haunting us. But, we will admit the Freestyle's dash doesn't look half as bad as we thought when seen in person. In fact, it looked quite premium and Ford has nailed it by making this exclusive to the top trim level.

While the basic design and layout of the cabin is the same as the Figo and the Aspire, the addition of a long-overdue touchscreen infotainment system has jazzed up the Freestyle's interiors. The dated Nokia smartphone-inspired center console is out with a slick 6.5-inch screen popping out in it's place. Right below the screen are buttons and knobs for physically controlling the infotainment system while climate control buttons and knobs are located further below. Ford has equipped the Freestyle with an extensive feature list that includes keyless entry with push button start, climate control system, Microsoft's SYNC 3.0 infotainment system (covered separately in our post), rear parking sensors with camera and a full set of active and passive safety features (covered separately in our post). 

While the interior quality doesn't hold a candle to the Volkswagens and Hyundais of the segment, it is still decent enough to withstand abuse on Indian roads. Attention to detail, though, has been great. The knurled effect on the climate control knobs, for example, is an impressive touch as is the thick-padded storage tray below that for your smartphone. There are pockets to hold upto eight water bottles in the front row alone and there's also a hidden storage spot that can be accessed only if the driver's door is open for keeping your wallet or other valuable items safe from prying eyes. In such a loaded car, some features like a dead pedal, driver's armrest and adjustable rear head restraints have been given a miss. The bean counters clearly had their say!

The steering wheel is big and meaty and adjustable only for tilt. But the front seats are long, wide and comfortable enough, so finding a good driving position isn't all that difficult. While space at the front is generous, move over to the rear and the space on offer can be, at best, termed adequate. The Baleno and Jazz are miles ahead when rear seat space and practicality are what you are looking for. Apart from fixed head restraints, rear passengers also lack door pads, air vents and central armrest and have to make do with just a single bottle holder. It is clear Ford's focus was on those occupying the front seats. 

Boot space, at a good 257 liters, can easily accommodate a family's weekend luggage and a bit more. Moreover, the rear seat can be folded forward to further increase luggage space.

Steering Wheel & Instrument Cluster

Unlike the EcoSport facelift that gets a new steering wheel design, the Freestyle continues with the same design as the previous-generation Ford models like the Fiesta, Figo and Aspire. Despite being a tad bigger than what we would have liked, the steering is good to hold with well thought-out recesses for your thumbs. Piano black detailing on the spokes look great though you will have a tough time keeping dust off it. Controls for BlueTooth telephony, Voice Commands and audio are located on the left spoke while chunky Euro-style stalks behind help control the various vehicle settings. 

The instrument cluster is a simple, functional unit dominated by a large circular speedometer in the center flanked by a tachometer and a fuel gauge on either sides. A small Multi Information Display (MID) screen is placed at the bottom of the speedometer. With read-outs for odo, trip, average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and distance-to-empty, the screen gives you what you would require. It's just that the visual flair you come to expect these days is lacking. Given this is what most owners would spend time staring at, Ford should have given the Freestyle - a car aimed at young urban dwellers from Ford's own launch slides - a trendy, upmarket cluster.

Infotainment System

Love them or hate them, floating infotainment screens are here to stay and Ford is one of the many car-makers that has adapted it across the lineup. The old-fashioned button-clad entertainment system has been rightfully shown the door, replaced by a sleek, advanced SYNC 3.0 system.

Armed with seamless connectivity options, slick responses to the touch with zero lag, a crystal clear display and intuitive features that let you explore and master, the SYNC 3.0 has got to be one of the best entertainment systems in the mass market. From the screen that lets us adjust the Balance and Fade settings to it's unique feature set that includes Emergency Assistance (automatically dials 108 in the unfortunate event of an accident), Valet Mode (locks the system before handing over the car to a valet), Ford MyKey (programmable settings for vehicle speed and in-car audio volume), SYNC 3.0 is a masterstroke! Just like the EcoSport, rotary knobs and physical buttons are available for frequently used controls, thereby preventing the need to take your eyes off the road for those quick changes.

In a system this comprehensively equipped, the absence of an in-built navigation system is a bit of a surprise. But then that doesn't matter as the unit is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford's AppLink also lets you access and control a handful of applications from our mobile phone as well.

Engine & Transmission

The next big thing in Ford India's powertrain portfolio is the all-new 'Dragon' family of gasoline engines. While the EcoSport facelift debuted the 1.5-liter mill, the Freestyle debuts the smaller 1.2-liter unit that's been developed to comply to the tax concessions being handed out by the Indian Government.

Boasting 95 horsepower and 120 Nm of torque, this new engine is the most powerful sub-1.2-liter unit out there on paper. It's also incredibly refined, especially once it settles down at idle. A gentle dab at the throttle is all that's needed to realize the new Freestyle is peppier than the current Figo and the Aspire. Gone is that lazy and strained build-up of speed, the 1.2-liter Dragon engine is lively right from the word go and retains that characteristic up until it's marked redline of 6,800 rpm. There's a flat zone in the middle and the engine isn't as free-revving as Suzuki's 1.2-liter unit for instance. Moreover, it gets quite vocal at higher revs.

Mated to this engine is an all-new 5-speed manual gearbox sourced from Getrag. The new transmission is a remarkable improvement over the older one with a light clutch complemented by short and crisp shifts. You don't have to put up with the rubbery feel of the gearbox anymore. Automatic transmission is not being offered at the moment, a shame given the increasing acceptance of slush boxes in India.

While we haven't driven that yet, the Freestyle also has a diesel engine powering it, the same tried-and-tested 1.5-liter TDCi unit that churns out 99 horsepower and 215 Nm of torque.

Official fuel-efficiency figures are 19.0 km/l for the 1.2-liter petrol and 24.4 km/l for the 1.5-liter diesel variants. That said, an enthusiastic early morning sprint like ours with ample idling is likely to drag that figure lower, like our 8.0 km/l readout proves.

Ride & Handling

The original Figo launched in 2010 was a benchmark in the small car segment, thanks to it's exemplary ride and handling balance. The second-generation Figo strayed off this line before Ford did some course correction with the S variant launched a couple of years back. We are happy to report the Freestyle is more Figo S than the regular Figo when it comes to exhibiting trademark Ford DNA.

Ride quality is supple and the car absorbs bumps and potholes with remarkable poise. Go faster and the Freestyle isn't unsettled as a softly-sprung car would be. With a far stiffer ride, Ford's own EcoSport has to learn a thing or two from the Freestyle's suspension tuning. The MacPherson struts up front and the twist beam at the rear do their jobs exceedingly well and leave no room to complain. Handling is spot-on as well despite the Freestyle being a high-riding cross hatch. Body roll is non-existent at slow and medium speeds and well-controlled at high speeds. This, coupled with a responsive steering and superb straight-line stability at high speeds, make the Freestyle one fun-to-drive car. 

The 185/60 R15 tires offer sufficient grip for everyday driving with the ventilated discs up front and drums at the rear endowing the car with good braking abilities. 

Safety

Ford, along with Toyota and Volkswagen, is at the forefront when it comes to exhibiting utmost commitment to safety. Have no doubt, all you need is a glance through the Freestyle's brochure to put those concerns to rest.

Freestyle's standard safety kit across the lineup includes dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), seat belt reminders for the driver and front passenger, reverse parking sensor and speed-sensing automatic door locks. The top-spec Titanium + variant, the one we drove, is even more generously equipped with features like side and curtain airbags, Active Rollover Prevention (collective term for Hill Launch Assist, Electronic Stability Program and Traction Control System), Emergency Assistance, Ford MyKey and rear view camera.

With such armory, it is clear the Freestyle is amongst the safest car in the country this side of 10 Lakh Rupees. Well done, Ford, for leading the way!

Verdict

From the very beginning, it was pretty clear the Freestyle is unlike any other cross hatchback we have seen. This car is not just a hatchback with a few cosmetic embellishments and plastic panels added on. Now, after spending quality time with it, the Freestyle has moved itself out of the Figo's shadow and emerged as a genuine contender for the segment honours. Sure, there are a few essentials missing from the package and the car isn't as spacious as some of its competitors are, but by virtue of offering so much more in other aspects for significantly lesser money than its rivals, the Freestyle might just be the success that has eluded Ford recently in the mass market.

Photography: Bharath Rengaraj

Content & Editing: Aravind Ramesh

Ford Mustang is now 10 Million units strong

There are popular cars. And then, there is the Mustang. From playing lead actor’s steed in several Hollywood blockbusters to ruling the streets of America to being the best-selling sports car in the planet the last couple of years, Ford’s iconic sports car has been there and done that. Last week, the American car-maker celebrated yet another milestone with the 10 Millionth Mustang rolling off the assembly line. Yes, there are 10 million of these pony cars out there, a feat that no other sports car ever has achieved.

The landmark Mustang was a GT convertible painted in ‘Wimbledon White’, the same body-style and colour as the original 1964 Mustang bearing VIN 001. Under the hood is Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 engine churning out a cool 460 horsepower and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Remarkably, the 1964 Mustang also had V8 power, albeit one with 164 horses mated to a 3-speed manual gearbox. 

As you would expect, Ford had grand celebrations planned to mark the historic event. Customers of Mustangs manufactured across five decades participated in a parade from the car-maker’s Dearborn headquarters to the Flat Rock Assembly Plant where the car is now being produced. Three WWII-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes also pitched in performing flyovers over the gathered cars. In the end, 62 Mustangs gathered for a photo op denoting the numerical milestone reached. Of course, the highlight was the two commas where Mustang #1 and #10,000,000 were placed.

Over the years, there have been so many iterations and tuned-versions of the Mustang that it is difficult to list a few as stand-outs. Still, if we are asked to name a few, 1965 Shelby GT350, 1969 Boss 302, 1984 Mustang SVO, 2004 Anniversary Edition and 2019 Mustang Bullitt would make the cut. No, don’t scout for their technical supremacy or horsepower bragging rights – these are Mustangs that our dreams were made of over the years!

Currently in its sixth generation, the Mustang is not just the world’s best-selling and most-popular sports car but also a model of supreme significance within Ford Motor Company. In fact, when the car-maker recently announced its decision to shift focus from passenger cars to high-riding Utility Vehicles, SUVs and Crossovers, the Mustang survived. With the next-generation model touted to have some sort of electrification options, the Mustang might be all set to continue its legacy into the electric future as well.