Automakers usually put a lot of work in a new-generation car's design. If it's an iconic model, like the Ford Mustang, there are several key factors to consider. While it must be fresh and modern, it must retain the classic design and that familiar look. By contrast, facelifts aren't as demanding, although some manufacturers add significant revisions. Ford is one of them, and it just revealed that the 2018 Mustang design was inspired by Star Wars character Darth Vader.

Wait, what?

Rest assured, this is not April Fools' Day joke. Granted, it may have something to do with the popular "May the 4th be with you" celebration of the film, but the news comes straight from Ford design manager Melvin Betancourt.

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The Villain

"When we were designing the new 2018 Mustang, the team wanted to make the new model look more aggressive, and one place where we found inspiration was one of the most famous screenplay villains of all time. The angled nostrils and contours of Darth Vader's mask became the inspiration for the Mustang's new fog lamp scoops and front-end shape," he told Autoblog.

Needless to say, the 2018 Mustang is no Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car, but I can definitely see some similarities to Lord Vader's helmet. I guess this makes the new Mustang the villain of the muscle car market in terms of design.

On the other hand, I have a feeling that Darth Vader wouldn't be driving a Mustang if he were to visit planet Earth. Instead, I bet he'd fancy the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon or go with the menacing looking Buick GNX of the 1980s.

Note: 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon pictured on the left, 1987 Buick GNX pictured on the right.