Ford unveiled what may be its last gas-powered Mustang: See how the iconic model has evolved through the decades

Tim Levin,Kristen LeeSep 16, 2022, 01:39 IST

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Ford took the wraps off of the next generation of the iconic Mustang on Wednesday.
The seventh-generation Mustang could be the last gas-powered version of the sports car.

Ford unveiled the seventh generation of the Mustang on Wednesday at the Detroit auto show — and it could be the last combustion-engine version of the iconic sports car.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Ford unveiled the seventh generation of the Mustang on Wednesday at the Detroit auto show — and it could be the last combustion-engine version of the iconic sports car.

Ford is powering full steam ahead toward an electric future, planning to invest billions in new factories, batteries, and models. There may not be room in Ford's future for another gas-powered Mustang.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Ford is powering full steam ahead toward an electric future, planning to invest billions in new factories, batteries, and models. There may not be room in Ford's future for another gas-powered Mustang.

"People have asked me if this will be your last internal combustion Mustang? And the answer is, 'we'll see,'" Bill Ford, the company's executive chair and a descendent of its founder, told reporters on Wednesday.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

"People have asked me if this will be your last internal combustion Mustang? And the answer is, 'we'll see,'" Bill Ford, the company's executive chair and a descendent of its founder, told reporters on Wednesday.

Some analysts think the Mustang is on its way out, following in the footsteps of rivals like the Dodge Challenger.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

As the Mustang heads toward extinction, it's only fitting to take a look back at the last six decades of the legendary sports car.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

On April 17, 1964, Henry Ford II unveiled the Ford Mustang at the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.

The 1965 Ford Mustang at the 1964 World's Fair.Ford

It was conceived as a compact, sporty coupe for the Baby Boomer generation that was just coming of age.

The Mustang was introduced at the World's Fair in 1964.Ford

Ford wanted the Mustang to be stylish, youthful, and inexpensive. It started at $2,300, equivalent to around $22,000 today.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350Jacques Patenaude

The Mustang was an overnight success, selling 400,000 units in the first year and a million within two years.

1964 Ford Dearborn assembly plant.Ford

Some say the Mustang was named after a World War II fighter plane, while others take the horse logo to heart. In truth, not even Ford seems to know for sure what the Mustang is named after.

1965 Ford Mustang coupe prototype.Ford

Some say the Mustang was named after a World War II fighter plane, while others take the horse logo to heart. In truth, not even Ford seems to know for sure what the Mustang is named after.

The Mustang birthed the "pony car" segment, which went on to include the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.

The first-generation Ford Mustang.Ford

A few years after the Mustang's 1964 debut, Ford launched the Boss 302, a heavily modified, high-performance model. It's one in a long line of high-powered Mustang variants.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302.Ford

A few years after the Mustang's 1964 debut, Ford launched the Boss 302, a heavily modified, high-performance model. It's one in a long line of high-powered Mustang variants.

Based on the Ford Pinto platform, the 1970s Mustang II was compact compared to the midsize models that came before it.

The Mustang II.PA Images/Contributor via Getty Images

This special "King Cobra" version had a very limited run of just 4,313 units.

1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra.Ford

The third-generation Mustang, known as the Fox-body, was sold between 1979 and 1993.

The 1980 Ford Mustang.Ford

It got a major redesign in the middle of its production run that swapped out the square headlights for a more rounded design.

1987 Ford Mustang GT convertible.Ford

The fourth-generation Mustang won MotorTrend's 1994 Car of the Year award. The car's powerful engine options and improved handling were especially praised.

1994 Ford Mustang GT coupe.Ford

Like previous models, it was available as a drop-top.

The 1994 Ford Mustang.Ford

The 40th anniversary of the Ford Mustang came in 2004. Shown here is the 2004 anniversary edition, parked in front of a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

2004 Ford Mustang anniversary edition and 1965 Mustang with P51.Ford

The 40th anniversary of the Ford Mustang came in 2004. Shown here is the 2004 anniversary edition, parked in front of a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

The fifth-generation Mustang's production stretched from 2004 to 2014 — a decade that brought us some all-time greats like the Shelby GT500 and a revival of the Boss 302 in 2012.

2005 Ford Mustang GT convertible.Ford

The fifth-generation Mustang's production stretched from 2004 to 2014 — a decade that brought us some all-time greats like the Shelby GT500 and a revival of the Boss 302 in 2012.

From a supercharged, 5.4-liter V8, the 2007 GT500 made 500 horsepower and had a six-speed manual transmission.

2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.Ford

The sixth-generation car spanned from 2015 to the present.

2015 Ford Mustang.Ford

Special-edition versions included the Bullitt, which is a tribute to Steve McQueen's "Bullitt" action thriller.

Ford Mustang Bullitt.Ford

There’s also the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R — incredible, track-focused stars for well under the price of a comparable European sports car.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R.Ford

And finally, a return of the Shelby GT500, a car with 760 horsepower you or I could easily walk down to a dealership and buy.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.Ford

In late 2020, Ford began selling the Mustang Mach-E, its first electric SUV.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.Ford

It lives up to its legendary nameplate with styling that evokes the gas-powered model and exciting performance.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E.Tim Levin/Insider

That brings us to the latest Mustang, the one that'll likely be the gas-powered icon's swan song.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told Insider he expects the seventh generation is the end of the line for the gas-powered Mustang.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told Insider he expects the seventh generation is the end of the line for the gas-powered Mustang.

Young people simply don't demand sports cars like they used to, favoring small SUVs instead, he said. And electric-vehicle technology will allow automakers like Ford to produce more models using the same underlying platform, boosting profits, he added.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Young people simply don't demand sports cars like they used to, favoring small SUVs instead, he said. And electric-vehicle technology will allow automakers like Ford to produce more models using the same underlying platform, boosting profits, he added.

The 2024 model carries on the basic looks of the previous generation, with some added sleekness and edgier styling.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

It comes with two engine options: a 5.0-liter V8 and a turbocharged four-cylinder.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

It also sports modern technology like a large digital instrument cluster and a big touchscreen. But it's still available with a manual.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

Joining the Mustang lineup is the Mustang Dark Horse, which promises 500 horsepower and other performance upgrades.

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse.Ford

The new Mustang goes on sale next summer. Better get one while you still can.

The 2024 Ford Mustang.Ford

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Ford unveiled what may be its last gas-powered Mustang: See how the iconic model has evolved through the decades

Ford unveiled the seventh generation of the Mustang on Wednesday at the Detroit auto show — and it could be the last combustion-engine version of the iconic sports car.

Ford is powering full steam ahead toward an electric future, planning to invest billions in new factories, batteries, and models. There may not be room in Ford's future for another gas-powered Mustang.

"People have asked me if this will be your last internal combustion Mustang? And the answer is, 'we'll see,'" Bill Ford, the company's executive chair and a descendent of its founder, told reporters on Wednesday.

Some analysts think the Mustang is on its way out, following in the footsteps of rivals like the Dodge Challenger.

As the Mustang heads toward extinction, it's only fitting to take a look back at the last six decades of the legendary sports car.

On April 17, 1964, Henry Ford II unveiled the Ford Mustang at the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.

It was conceived as a compact, sporty coupe for the Baby Boomer generation that was just coming of age.

Ford wanted the Mustang to be stylish, youthful, and inexpensive. It started at $2,300, equivalent to around $22,000 today.

The Mustang was an overnight success, selling 400,000 units in the first year and a million within two years.

Some say the Mustang was named after a World War II fighter plane, while others take the horse logo to heart. In truth, not even Ford seems to know for sure what the Mustang is named after.

The Mustang birthed the "pony car" segment, which went on to include the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.

A few years after the Mustang's 1964 debut, Ford launched the Boss 302, a heavily modified, high-performance model. It's one in a long line of high-powered Mustang variants.

Based on the Ford Pinto platform, the 1970s Mustang II was compact compared to the midsize models that came before it.

This special "King Cobra" version had a very limited run of just 4,313 units.

The third-generation Mustang, known as the Fox-body, was sold between 1979 and 1993.

It got a major redesign in the middle of its production run that swapped out the square headlights for a more rounded design.

The fourth-generation Mustang won MotorTrend's 1994 Car of the Year award. The car's powerful engine options and improved handling were especially praised.

Like previous models, it was available as a drop-top.

The 40th anniversary of the Ford Mustang came in 2004. Shown here is the 2004 anniversary edition, parked in front of a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

The fifth-generation Mustang's production stretched from 2004 to 2014 — a decade that brought us some all-time greats like the Shelby GT500 and a revival of the Boss 302 in 2012.

From a supercharged, 5.4-liter V8, the 2007 GT500 made 500 horsepower and had a six-speed manual transmission.

The sixth-generation car spanned from 2015 to the present.

Special-edition versions included the Bullitt, which is a tribute to Steve McQueen's "Bullitt" action thriller.

There’s also the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R — incredible, track-focused stars for well under the price of a comparable European sports car.

And finally, a return of the Shelby GT500, a car with 760 horsepower you or I could easily walk down to a dealership and buy.

In late 2020, Ford began selling the Mustang Mach-E, its first electric SUV.

It lives up to its legendary nameplate with styling that evokes the gas-powered model and exciting performance.

That brings us to the latest Mustang, the one that'll likely be the gas-powered icon's swan song.

Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told Insider he expects the seventh generation is the end of the line for the gas-powered Mustang.

Young people simply don't demand sports cars like they used to, favoring small SUVs instead, he said. And electric-vehicle technology will allow automakers like Ford to produce more models using the same underlying platform, boosting profits, he added.

The 2024 model carries on the basic looks of the previous generation, with some added sleekness and edgier styling.

It comes with two engine options: a 5.0-liter V8 and a turbocharged four-cylinder.

It also sports modern technology like a large digital instrument cluster and a big touchscreen. But it's still available with a manual.

Joining the Mustang lineup is the Mustang Dark Horse, which promises 500 horsepower and other performance upgrades.

The new Mustang goes on sale next summer. Better get one while you still can.