It's no longer a secret that the 2015 Mustang is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles to come out of Detroit. It also represents huge step in Mustang->ke428 history and brings many firsts to the 50-year-old pony. The sixth-gen model is the first Mustang -- sans the Cobra model in years past -- to gain an independent rear suspension that promises to improve its handling on both the street and track.

The new suspension will also move the Mustang closer to European competitors like the BMW M4, an important switch now that the muscle car->ke507 is ready to hit the Old Continent on official terms. What's more, the 2015 Mustang is the first pony to adopt a more familiar look in the Ford->ke31 lineup, as the company's trademark, trapezoidal grille makes its way onto the nose.

Then there's the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Sure, this isn't the first time a Mustang gets a turbocharged four-banger -- it happened back in the 1980s too -- but it comes in a era in which fuel economy and CO2 emissions are crucial in just about every market except the Middle East->ke3761. And let's not forget about the line-lock system, a gimmick that allows drivers to perform burnouts without destroying the car's clutch. We also call this button the "warranty eliminator," as pressing it allows Ford to assume you raced the Mustang, resulting in dealers having reason to void your warranty.

As impressive as it may sound, the 2015 Mustang is set to receive even more innovative features, one of which is an industry-first on a production car.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Mustang Safety Systems.

Active Glovebox Knee Airbag

We'd normally expect for the most innovative safety systems to come from either Volvo->ke188 or Mercedes-Benz->ke187, but it appears Ford came up with an airbag design of its own. The new safety feature provides front passenger knee protection by means of an inflatable plastic bladder integrated into the glove box. It's a big deal because such safety features are usually placed under the dashboard, which means vehicle designers have to face several restrictions when crafting the said component and integrating all the electronics that come with it.

The airbag itself is also new, with the traditional fabric design being dropped in favor of a pliable, injection-molded plastic bladder. The airbag is sandwiched between the inner and outer glove box door panels, mated to an inflator and connected to the car's crash sensor system. When a crash occurs, the bladder is filled with air and extends the glove box's outer door panel toward the passenger's legs. The door panel then acts like a cushion in a manner similar to the traditional knee airbag.

According to Ford, the innovative knee airbag, which required no less than 15 patents, allowed Mustang designers to move the dashboard closer to the windshield and increase legroom up front. The new airbag will be introduced on the Mustang later this year, as part of standard safety system.

SYNC 911 Assist

The second new feature to debut on the 2015 Mustang is the SYNC 911 Assist. Essentially an add-on to Ford's already familiar SYNC technology, the 911 Assist feature allows emergency dispatchers to obtain more information directly from the vehicle in the event of a crash. For instance, a dispatcher will be able to find out if both front safety seat belts were fastened at the time of a collision or retrieve vehicle GPS information as soon as an emergency, prerecorded message is deployed.

The 911 call is placed automatically in the event of an airbag deployment or sudden fuel shutoff if the SYNC is linked to a mobile phone. Additional information provided by the 911 Assist application includes change in velocity during impact, indication of crash type, and whether multiple impacts occurred during the crash. All these vital stats will most certainly enable paramedics to arrive quicker and properly equipped at the scene.

Why It Matters

It's yet again obvious that Ford means business with the 2015 Mustang. The fact that the company decided to debut this technologies on the Mustang and not a popular sedan like the Fusion hints at Ford's concern for the Mustang's success abroad. The Blue Oval has really raised the bar with the pony this time, placing it further ahead of its competitors, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger, and closer to its potential German rivals.

2015 Ford Mustang

Completely redesigned for the 2015 model year, the sixth-generation Mustang is distinguished by brand-new body work, a revised interior, upgraded technology, and an independent rear suspension. The pony’s traditional V-6 and V-8 engines have also been revised. The 3.7-liter V-6 will delivers more than 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of twist, while the 5.0-liter Coyote will generate more than 420 horses and 390 pound-feet. All-new to the range is a turbocharged, 2.3-liter EcoBoost, a four-banger that’s set to churn a little more than 305 horsepower and 300 pound-feet.