The Star Wars villain that inspired Ford’s ‘aggressive’ new Mustang
The design for the 2018 Mustang took inspiration from one of the most famous screenplay villains of all time
IN a factory far, far away, a new dark force has been created that will become the ruler of the motoring galaxy... well, sort of.
Ford's new 2018 Mustang made its first appearance earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show, and immediately impressed with a menacing new front-end design.
The Mustang's front grille and lamp scoops give the car an intimidating appearance - and apparently that's no streak of luck.
According to Ford's design manager Melvin Betancourt, the 2018 model is inspired by iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader.
"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."
When compared to Vader's helmet, you can definitely see the similarities in the gun-metal sketch of the new model.
But it doesn't quite have the same effect when it comes to the brighter colours - yellow screams more C-3PO than it does Sith overlord.
The exterior front-end changes aren't the only new elements of the 2018 model.
Ford have added a more "premium" look to the interior of the car with contrast stitching, restyled seats with a wider range of patterns and colours, an optional heated steering wheel and a tech system that allows the car's central locking and ignition to be controlled via a Smartphone.
Under the hood the 2.3L four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is in the most basic models, while a 5.0L V-8 is also on offer.
Both come with the option of Ford's new 10-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2018 Mustang is due to go on sale in the UK early next year.