A Glimpse Into Tomorrow: Students Reimagine the Ford Mustang for a New Generation
In a bold blend of creativity and innovation, Ford has unveiled three futuristic Mustang concepts born from its latest global design competition. Partnering with China’s College for Creative Studies (CDS), the automaker challenged young designers to reimagine the iconic pony car for the roads—and racetracks—of tomorrow.
Titled “Mustang: A Grand Tour of Re-imagination,” the contest invited 25 students from 22 schools across China, Germany, and beyond to craft their vision of the next-generation Mustang. After a rigorous selection process, eight finalists were given the opportunity to refine their ideas with the support of Ford’s Shanghai design team. Using advanced virtual reality tools and expert mentorship, their sketches were transformed into detailed 3D models.
From those eight, three standout designs have now advanced to full-scale development. Each concept offers a unique interpretation of what the Mustang nameplate could evolve into in the coming years:
Mustang Mach-S: Speed Meets Versatility
Designed by Liu Sizhuo of Tsinghua University, the Mach-S is a performance-oriented shooting brake that marries speed with practicality. Its extended roofline, muscular stance, and sculpted curves evoke both power and freedom—two pillars of Mustang heritage. Sizhuo’s vision focuses on long-distance travel, offering added cargo space without compromising the thrill of the drive.
Mustang Super Utility: Function With Flair
German design student Xie Yi’an, from Pforzheim University, took an unconventional route with the Mustang Super Utility Concept. Blurring the lines between SUV and sports car, this electric-powered design integrates utility-inspired elements like pickup-style cargo space with a sleek, athletic silhouette. It’s a daring redefinition of the Mustang ethos, aimed at a more adventurous lifestyle.
Mustang Hyper Tandem: Track-Ready and Future-Focused
Lai Yushun from the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts delivered the most extreme of the trio—the Hyper Tandem Concept. With its Le Mans-inspired aerodynamics and aggressive stance, this dual-cockpit Mustang channels the spirit of motorsport. Featuring a tandem seating layout reminiscent of fighter jets, it symbolizes mentorship and the transfer of racing knowledge to a new generation.
These three cutting-edge concepts reflect Ford’s commitment to design experimentation and international collaboration. With its state-of-the-art Shanghai design center capable of producing full-scale clay models in-house, Ford continues to explore new design languages that may one day influence global or region-specific production vehicles.
As the finalists bring their visions to life in physical form, it’s clear the future of the Mustang could go far beyond its muscle-car roots—into terrains, lifestyles, and racetracks never imagined before.