SPY PICS: 2024 Ford Mustang GT California Special coupe spotted

The next-generation 2024 Ford Mustang was only revealed in October and already our spy photographers have snapped a new variant being tested ahead of its expected North American release later this year.

The variant in question is the California Special coupe, the convertible version of which debuted just a month after the S650-series Mustang’s global reveal.

Now the tin-top version has been spotted wearing the same blue highlights and covert ‘GT/CS’ badging on its grille, as well as the production-spec black graphics down its flanks.

Missing from the package are the matching but optional two-tone blue alloy wheels, but they’ll undoubtedly be present on the customer version when it debuts in the coming weeks – judging by the inherent lack of camouflage – along with the standard grey hoops.

No changes have been made to the California Special’s powertrain or chassis set-up beyond the exclusive rolling stock, but the exterior’s unique design cues are continued within the cabin with blue stitching contrasted against black leather upholstery on the seats, dash, gear lever and floor mats.

That means the 5.0-litre V8 lurking under the bonnet will continue to channel 358kW of power and 563Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, as per the GT Premium it’s based on.

There’s been nothing to suggests the California Special coupe will pack anything extra over the convertible besides a lighter kerb weight and lower asking price, but local consumers shouldn’t expect to see the special-edition Down Under since Ford Australia ruled it out for our market at the time of its reveal.

We were treated to the previous version, albeit in limited quantities towards the end of the S550’s tenure, when the model served as something of a send-off for the Mustang generation that made the legendary pony car the world’s most popular sports car.

Those looking for something a little more exclusive this time around will have to either fork out extra for the Dark Horse or go aftermarket and look at something like the RTR Spec 2 package.

Spy photos: Automedia

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