A little earlier than promised by the teaser shared by CEO Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company unleashed the first special edition package for the 2024 Ford Mustang pony car.
Just a few hours ago, Ford's CEO Jim Farley took to his favorite social media venue – X (formerly Twitter) – to announce a special version of the Mustang, labeled as the GT/CS. A single photo showed dark blue design details, the unique logo, and not much else. A little Photoshop magic later, and an enlightened version of the image revealed a date: November 11, 2023, along with a set of coordinates. Going to a dedicated map provider showed the location corresponding to the Outlets of San Clemente, a shopping mall located in the Los Angeles suburb of San Clemente.
Naturally, everyone assumed the return of the California Special on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT would premiere there and on that specific date. Well, it turns out that was wrong! Instead, the all-new 2024 Mustang GT California Special will splash in front of the live audience on November 16 at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, and order banks are already open so customers can configure their Mustang GT with the California Special package online.
A note, though – you can opt for either the Coupe or Convertible, with the six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmissions, but you're locked to the Mustang GT Premium Fastback or Convertible versions – starting at $47,015 ($49,255 with the destination charges and acquisition fee) or $52,515 (net is $54,755), respectively. However, the California Special package is just $1,995 – and it fits snugly between the $4,995 GT Performance package and the $1,225 Active Valve Performance Exhaust.
If you can splash out, I would suggest getting both as they make the Coyote V8-powered Ford Mustang GT a lot nimbler and optionally louder around the corners. Now, with the California Special, you can also add a dash of modern-vintage elegance to the equation. As per the visuals, the returning pack celebrates the original cues of the first California Special from 1968. Additionally, even if you don't like or want it, the good news is that Ford has opened the floodgates to S650 seventh-generation Mustang special editions, and we hope many more are coming soon.
"The original California Special package was geared toward California's optimistic and carefree driving culture. We're refocusing on those elements for the 2024 Mustang GT California Special, which brings a vibrant style that looks as at home on Colorado Boulevard as it does on the Pacific Coast Highway," said Mustang Brand Manager Joe Bellino. "Rave Blue is such a distinct and exciting color; it really does make the California Special stand out not only from other Mustang models but from previous California Special models."
The Mustang GT California Special's defining features are the Rave Blue details seen on the package-specific wheels, nostril intake surrounds, plus the side body graphics. There are also black bezels for the headlights and two 19-inch wheel options. Meanwhile, inside, the blue atmosphere continues with perforated Navy Pier upholstery and Ebony Black leather covers for the seats, plus dual-color contrast stitching with Raptor Blue and Metal Gray also on the dashboard and doors. A California Special badge and GT/CS floor mats round out the interior mods. "The new, modern Mustang GT California Special is a perfect example of our drive to build a Mustang for every customer," concludes Bellino.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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