2015 Ford Mustang

A new 2015 Ford Mustang in the parking lot of Mel’s Drive-in in West Hollywood on Sept. 17. Ford brought a fleet of 50 early-production Mustangs to Southern California for 250 car critics to put the car through its paces in the local mountains and on the Pacific Coast Highway.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Mustangs wait for automotive critics.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A detail of the familiar logo.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Under the hood.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Purists will relish the 435-horsepower V-8 Mustang GT, a surprisingly nimble muscle car.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Mustang starts at $24,425 for the base V-6 Mustang. The four-cylinder turbo, starting at $25,995, costs just $1,570 more than the V-6 model. The traditional V8 GT model starts at $32,925.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

All versions come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and rev-matching downshifts.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Ford Motor Co. aims to expand its appeal -- and sales -- across the oceans and beyond its niche of American loyalists  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The new Mustang is the first car ever built that will offer engines in three different cylinder configurations -- all of them with more than 300 horsepower. There’s a V8, of course, but also a four-cylinder turbo and a V6.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The all-new independent rear suspension was considered essential for Ford to update the Mustang’s handling and image.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The 2015 Ford Mustang is revealed at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Ford is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the car.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Car enthusiasts and members of the motor industry media watch the unveiling of the 2015 Ford Mustang in December.

Inside the 2015 Ford Mustang.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The 2015 Ford Mustang at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The pony emblem on the 2015 Ford Mustang.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A close look at the 2015 Ford Mustang.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)