It is always a tasteful dish to get behind the controls of a mythical Ford Mustang, but if you do it in a special finish and under the name “Convertible”, things become even more interesting. The Mustang Convertible California Special that we have been able to test is everything that lovers of more traditional cars could wish for.
We can say that the Ford Mustang is one of those cars that have marked an era. Not only in his almost 60 years of history on the North American marketor his recent landing in the old continent, but rather worldwide. Everyone knows what a Mustang is and what it implies: a tough, muscular, punchy, old-fashioned car.. But, is your original recipe improvable? As a wise man said, everything in this life can be improved. However, something that can hardly be improved is the ability of a Ford Mustang Convertible to make you smile and enjoy as few cars in the world do.
The recipe is easy: a muscular looking car, practical for everyday use, comfortable and with a V8 under the hood. If there is something Americans can boast about in many of their vehicles -and in life, in general- it is in simplifying recipes to make them easier and simpler, something that results in a product that only they know how to make .
We all know that the Ford Mustang is a car that certain “buts” could be removed, however nobody wants to do it for what that implies. It’s like trying to fault the Roman Colosseum; I’m sure it has them, but would you really want to take them out or is it better to enjoy said monument? Something similar happens here.
That said, we can conclude that the Mustang is one of the most loved cars on the planet. There is no doubt about this, however, as I said, everything can be improved (yes, even the Colosseum). And how to improve the unbeatable? Just take the roof off. Of course there will be many who will disagree with me and say that a Mustang must be a coupe because if it doesn’t lose its classic drop from the roof. I agree. A Mustang is always fine, but enjoy that wonder of V8 under the open sky I assure you that it is priceless.
I was able to test the special edition called “California Special” on the Ford Mustang Convertible, the convertible variant of the mythical “pony car” with a canvas roof. This version born as a channeling of the iconic spirit of the original 1968 model thanks to concrete aesthetic details.
The Ford Mustang Convertible California Special includes new aesthetic additions that make its first sight as attractive as it is classic. Its decorative elements include some new five-spoke wheels made of aluminum and with a diameter of 19 inches. Also the new rear badge (where the GT logo was previously seen) with the GT/CS text in bright red and black, matching all the molding where it is located. The front grille also changes, as it eliminates the classic galloping horse logo. and now inserts one with a new honeycomb pattern, again together with the GT/CS initials in Carrera Red. Finally, it features contrasting side stripes and GT/CS badges on the rear wing.
All of this makes the California Special (CS) feel like a modern classic. just by taking a look at its exterior. However, the virtues that this model includes go beyond the mere decoration of its bodywork, since it also does the same in its passenger compartment.
In general terms, the interior of the Mustang California Special is the same as we all know, although with certain nuances, since it includes exclusive mats with red stitching, some leather-trimmed seats with GT/CS logo and the stitching in red. Additionally, these seats will incorporate air conditioning (heating and ventilation), something really appreciated when you drive a convertible, whether it is summer or winter.
The Complete California Special Package adds to the starting price of the chosen Mustang an extra cost of 2,200 additional euros. This can only be chosen for convertible versions, either together with the 10-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. The cost difference between both gearbox versions will mean an extra 3,000 euros, so the most expensive version of all will be the automatic Ford Mustang Convertible together with the CS package, which will result in a final bill of 65,930 euros, while in the case of the manual it will be 62,930 euros. In any case, it has no rival.
In another area of things, the Ford Mustang Convertible CS continues to have the famous 5.0-litre displacement V8 engine producing a total of 450 hp and 529 Nm of maximum torque. No matter how much you think about it, there are no possible rivals in Europe with those specifications, that wonderful engine block and that price. Impossible. The Mustang is one of a kind.
But what can I tell about the Ford Mustang Convertible as such? The convertible variant inserts a canvas roof that has an electric folding, through a button located on the front frame of the roof; though its locking and unlocking must be done with a lever located on the hood itself. This does not imply discomfort or anything like that, but rather it is something curious.
In fact, the top folds and unfolds remarkably quickly, as so it only needs 15 seconds to execute the operation at a maximum speed of 5 km/h (this is quite short). I was surprised that when performing such an action the car does not make any warning of the conclusion of the manoeuvre, which can lead to you spending more time than necessary with the button pressed. Nevertheless, once you put the roof in its compartment, life looks different and the only thing missing was the ability to ride the fine roads of Big Sur California.
In the rest of the interior endowments, the Mustang remains the same as always. Presents the central multimedia system with SYNC 3, a fully digital instrument panel, a generously sized steering wheel with satellite controls and a real gear lever, which should not cease to exist. In this change you can select an additional mode called “S” (or Sport) in which the transmission will squeeze these gears even more.
Driving without a hood with the Ford Mustang Convertible is not an inconvenience, since isolates really well from the aerodynamics up to at least 100 km/h; from there the wind begins to sneak more in the passenger compartment. In the case of passengers in the rear seats, they will greatly appreciate not circulating without a roof in places outside urban environments, since the windshield itself will divert all the air flow towards the rear area and become very annoying for them. To circulate without a roof outside the city, it is better to take the Mustang as a two-seater car.
In any case, the rear seats get a limited habitability for the legs, since people over 1.75 meters tall will be somewhat cramped. However, passengers smaller than these will be able to circulate even with some comfort, although, in my opinion, a central armrest is missing to conclude with said comfort.
Driving a Ford Mustang is always an experience that every motorsport lover should have, at least once in their life. Rushing that V8 blocky fantasy while its guttural sound screams louder and louder is priceless. and I can assure you that you will be able to have a better time than on any roller coaster in the world. No matter what you say, the Mustang is better than that.
Of course, as I said at the beginning of the article, the Mustang it has its “buts”, such as the firmness of its suspension, which feels too soft, especially when we want to have fun on a winding road. However, this may turn out to be a justifiable feature, since in its country of origin this is a useful, practical and comfortable vehicle for everyday use. I have no argument on this and insist that just by revving your wonderful engine, everything becomes heavenly and inspiring. On its usefulness or not, the Mustang Convertible has a storage capacity of 332 liters, very usable and practical for the vast majority of everyday situationsalthough its size will be mainly in depth and the loading mouth itself will prevent the transport of large packages.
Its front seats are really comfortable. They have a very particular padding and, despite the large size of the car, everything falls within reach. It will not be necessary to do strange maneuvers or contortionist postures to reach a button or touch the 8-inch touch screen, which has connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. the mustang too It has several driving modes: Normal, Sport, Sport +, Circuit, Snow or Personal. Additionally, in its configuration menu you can select the sound of the exhaust between several levels. I insist that with none of them you will go unnoticed.
However, in a test of a Mustang, of course we cannot stop talking about its consumption figure, so impressive for some and little loved by others. The Mustang Convertible is capable of achieving an average highway consumption of 9 liters, although the weight of your right foot will have to work quite a bit to achieve that figure after a medium-distance trip. Under normal conditions the figure will be 10 liters on average and in a driving between urban environments and highway driving, our final average was 13.5 liters. Elevated, of course, but there’s a lot of horsepower and pistons to feed down there.
Did I like the Mustang Convertible California Special? In fact I would love to be able to have one and enjoy its V8 every day. with this car all the possible imperfections that can be removed will be directly overshadowed by everything that surrounds and is the Mustang. A car without rival, that we all love and will love per saecula saeculorum. God bless America.