A few months after dusting off the “Bullitt” name, Ford is once again in a throwback mood. This time, the Blue Oval is bringing back the “California Special” name for the 2019 Ford Mustang. The nod to the late 60’s special edition couldn’t have come at a better time, either. The original Mustang California edition came out in 1968. It’s no surprise, then, that 50 years later, the California name is bringing brought back with a modern twist.

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The 2019 Ford Mustang California Special really is something else. The retro-inspired special edition harkens back to far simpler times, and yet, the Mustang was already special in its own right. The design cues included in the special edition ‘Stang are inspired largely by the original California Special, right down to the use of its name.

Outside, the exclusive design cues can be found all over the Mustang GT’s body. The front grilles, for example, have been completely blacked out. Side body graphics are also present in the package, as is the Ebony Black and Race Red script California Special badging that can be found on the trunk model. The special edition Mustang also gets a Mustang Performance Pack 1 splitter and a stick-on cosmetic rear fender scoop that’s exclusive to this model. Those who are interested in buying the special edition Mustang can also choose from a range of colors that now include Need for Green, Velocity Blue, and Dark Highland Green, the same shade that you can see on the iconic Mustang Bullitt. Model-exclusive five-spoke painted machined wheels complete the exterior package of the Mustang California Special Edition.

It’s the same story in the interior where there’s a “GT/CS” embossing on the black suede seats. Those same seats also feature red contrast stitching while the floor mats are customized with the same “GT/CS” branding. Added badging can be found on the dashboard on the passenger side, ensuring that those who step inside the muscle car will know that it’s no ordinary ‘Stang. The cabin of the Mustang California Special also benefits from the Bang & Olufsen Play audio system that’s now available in the U.S.-spec 2019 Mustang. The premium audio unit comes with 12 speakers, 1,000-watt power, and a 10-channel amplifier.

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Since the SE is based on the Ford Mustang GT, the Mustang California Special gets a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 engine that produces an impressive 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The figures give the muscle car some capability, but it’s far from the only headline offering that’s attributed to the model. For that, we need to turn our attention to Ford’s rev-matching technology, a nifty new feature that’s available for 2019MY Mustang GTs. The technology is primarily used to help smooth out shifts by predicting when they’ll happen and then quickly matching it with the engine’s rpm. Not only does this help smoothen the transition between gears, it also helps improve the Mustang’s overall drivability, a trait that shouldn’t get lost on those who love them some ’Stang.

Ford has yet to put an official price for the Mustang California Special. The automaker did say that the special edition model goes on sale this summer. Prices are expected to be unveiled in the months or weeks before its launch.

References

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