2016 marks the second year of production of the newest and best generation of Mustang yet. To celebrate this occasion, Ford have just announced some interesting new trim packages and visual options.

In keeping with the retro-modern trends of late, Ford have decided to add hood vent integrated turn signals for the GT models – a throwback to the very same vent signals first seen on the 1967 Mustang. Ford decided to add the vent signals after receiving plenty of requests and feedback from Mustang owners and enthusiasts.

Melanie Banker, Mustang marketing manager, says, “Mustang enthusiasts are not shy about telling us what they want. And we’re constantly exploring ideas together with our engineering team to develop new features we know our customers will love. These new hood vent indicators for the GT model are a perfect example of us communicating customer feedback to Mustang engineers and the team responding with an exclusive new feature for owners of the 2016 Mustang GT.”

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If Ford is taking requests, I’d like them to come out with the Vanilla Ice edition. As a throwback to 1989’s breakout hit, “Ice Ice Baby” (one of the deepest and most important songs since the dawn of time) which featured the lyrics in the second verse, “Rollin’ in my 5.0 with my ragtop down so my hair can blow. The girlies on standby, waving just to say, “Hi!” Did you stop? No, I just drove by.” When I bought my first Fox body Mustang in 2000 or 2001, the first song I put on was the very same… and it was awesome.

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Another addition to the 2016 Mustang is the availability of some over-the-top racing stripes direct from the factory. Offered in black or silver, the stripes are available on most colour and trim packages for that “racing look”.

For Ecoboost and GT buyers, you now have the option of a painted black roof, just like the last generation Boss 302. While I personally enjoy the look of a black roof on a white or silver car, I wonder how much the extra charge of having a mismatched colour roof is, if any.

Interestingly enough, exclusive to the Ecoboost models is the Pony Package. You can now deck out your Ecoboost with exclusive, 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, a tri-bar pony logo on the grille, side stripe, and chrome window surround.

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For the more low-key and stealthy buyer, the Black Accent Package will be available for the V8 GT crowd. Available for the hardtop and the ragtop, the BAP (they didn’t call it that, I did) comes with special 19-inch black-painted alloy wheels, a black decklid spoiler, dark taillamp trim, and 5.0 and pony logos in black. That’s more along the lines of what this writer enjoys.

GT Premium buyers can order the California Special Package which can include: 19-inch ebony-painted machined aluminum wheels; ebony leather/Miko suede seat inserts with red contrast stitching and embossed logo; unique door panel inserts and premium carpet featuring red contrast stitching; unique aluminum dashboard finish with California Special badge; hood and side stripes; black pedestal spoiler; unique faux gas cap; strut tower brace with unique California Special badging; Ddark taillamp accents; black-painted mirrors, hood vents; performance front splitter, and a unique grille with tri-bar pony logo.

And great news for convertible lovers. For 2016, the GT convertible with manual-equipped transmissions can order the Performance Package, featuring increased structural bracing, as well as revised suspension components, brakes, wheels and tires. Convertibles need these parts and improvements far more than their hardtop (read, structurally rigid) counterparts. It confused me to find out the 2015 models were not available with the Performance Package.

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The most important bits of the Performance Package are the massive six-piston Brembo front brake calipers, unique chassis tuning, with strut tower brace and K-brace, and the Torsen limited-slip differential with 3.73 axle ratio.

I’m a huge fan of the new Mustang and some of these performance and visual add-ons are a welcome addition to the Mustang family. Ford is demonstrating just how dedicated they are to capturing the lion’s share of the performance market, and if they continue to do what they’ve been doing for the past few years, they’re on track to be on top for a long time.

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