Sweet Sixteen

The next Mustang model year brings a number of new options

By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

As we learned late last week, the 2016 Mustang will bring a number of new packages and options to the S550 platform. Headlined by a return of the California Special package, the 2016 model year will also offer up a Pony Package option for the EcoBoost Premium. Those that donâ€™t like to compromise will have reason to celebrate, they can now order convertibles with the vaunted Performance Package. And thatâ€™s not all, there will even be a Black Accent package available for the Mustang GT.

The special edition is back in 2016 and itâ€™s the California Special. Available on Fastbacks and convertibles, this packages adds numerous unique appearance items and an underhood strut-tower brace. Among the visual upgrades are unique wheels, stripes, badging, spoilers and more. — The special edition is back in 2016 and its name isÂ California Special. Available on Fastbacks and convertibles, this packages adds numerous unique appearance items and an underhood strut-tower brace. Among the visual upgrades are unique wheels, stripes, badging, spoilers and more.

Despite its modern styling, the Mustang continues to pay tribute to its heritage in the new model year. All of the new 2016 Mustang GTs will feature turn indicators that are integrated into the hood vents, which harkens back to when this feature was first offered on the 1967 Mustang.

â€œMustang enthusiasts are not shy about telling us what they want,â€ Melanie Banker, Mustang marketing manager, said. â€œAnd weâ€™re constantly exploring ideas together with our engineering team to develop new features we know our customers will love. These new hood vent indicators for the GT model are a perfect example of us communicating customer feedback to Mustang engineers and the team responding with an exclusive new feature for owners of the 2016 Mustang GT.â€

On the inside, 2016 Mustang California Specials will be fitted with black leather seats accented by Miko suede seat inserts. The seats get red contrast stitching and embossed logo. That stitching will match the red stitching in the Cal Special-specific door panels and carpet. The dash on these cars gets an aluminum treatment and a Cal Special badge. Of course, all 2016 Mustangs with the Premium Package will gain the latest Sync 3 infotainment system, which adds numerous improvements, including software updates over Wi-Fi.

Buyers of both the 2016 EcoBoost and Mustang GT will have new styling options as well. Both over-the-body racing stripes (silver or black) and a painted black roof are now options. The latter hasnâ€™t been available since the 2013 Boss 302. Either can really work with the compatible paint options to create a great look on the S550.

Topping the list is the return of the California Special, a special edition that brings a unique style to the Mustang GT by adding a number of interior and exterior accents. On the outside, unique striping, black 19-inch wheels, a black pedestal spoiler, a Cal Special faux gas cap, black mirrors, black hood vents, a performance front splitter, dark-accent taillights, and a unique grille with tri-bar pony logo. In the cockpit, owners of this package will ride in unique black leather seats with Miko suede inserts. The door panels are unique, and event the carpet is special, as it wears unique red contrast stitching. Under the hood this car also gets a strut-tower brace with California Special badging.

For more on the 2016 Mustang with the California Special package, watch this videoâ€¦

While the appearance options are fun, one of the packages available on the 2016 blends both looks and performance. For those that like to drop the top and drive fast, a sorely missed option is now available on the 2016 convertible with manual transmissionâ€”the Performance Pack.

All 2016 Mustang GTs will feature hood vent-mounted turn indicators like those available back in 1967. Only the California Specials will get black paint on the hood vents and side-view mirror housings. — All 2016 Mustang GTs will feature hood vent-mounted turn indicators like those available back in 1967. Only the California Specials will get black paint on the hood vents.

Naturally, the tuning of the chassis and suspension is specific to the Performance Pack convertible. Its chassis is bolstered by a strut-tower brace and a lower K-brace and the suspension wears a larger rear sway bar and more aggressive front springs. To put the power down with this new suspension, the car is fitted with 19-inch aluminum wheels with summer tires and its stability control, power steering and braking systems feature unique calibrations to work with the new hardware.

If you love convertibles but were jealous of all the handling bits that Fastback fans could add with the Performance Pack, the 2016 model year brings a convertible-specific Performance Pack so you can have your open-air â€™Stang and carve corners too.

Performance Pack convertibles are ready to run hard, as they also receive larger radiators, Torsen limited-slip differentials, 3.73 gears, and six-piston Brembo front brakes. These cars also lack rear spoilers and get a more prominent front splitters. Inside, the Performance Pack cars get an engine-turned dash and extra gauges.

â€œFord Mustang GT fastback with Performance Package has been very popular,â€ Melanie added. â€œCustomer feedback indicated a strong desire for the package on the convertible model as well, and the 2016 Mustang GT delivers.â€

Looking to give your 2016 Mustang GT a more sinister look? You can opt for the Black Accent Package and score black 19-inch wheels, a black decklid spoiler, dark taillight trim, black badges. — Looking to give your 2016 Mustang GT a more sinister look? You can opt for the Black Accent Package and score black 19-inch wheels, a black decklid spoiler, dark taillight trim, and black badges.

If you just want to add a bit of unique styling to your 2016, there are also two more choices on the order sheetâ€”a Pony Package for the EcoBoost Premium Fastback and a Black Accent package for the Mustang GT. The former adds polished 19-inch wheels, chrome window surrounds, a side stripe, and a tri-bar pony grille emblem. Meanwhile, the Black Accent Package gives a Mustang GT a bad-boy look thanks to black wheels, a black spoiler, dark taillight trim (like the Cal Special) and blacked-out 5.0 and pony logos.

Ford definitely didnâ€™t rest on its laurels for the 2016 model year, and we canâ€™t wait to see these new options hit the streets.