Ford has denied reports that it will launch the 50th anniversary Mustang in right-hand drive as part of the carmaker's global One Ford strategy.
Ford NZ communications manager Tom Clancy says reports the Mustang will be a "world car" are "speculation". Nevertheless, the reports continue to gain traction.
Ford will
build a special Mustang for the muscle car's 50th birthday in 2014 and there are claims it will also appear in right-hand drive for the first time.
Design studios in Europe and Australia are apparently working on it, as well as those in the United States.
It will be smaller and closer in spirit to the original 1964 Mustang but will still be a proper Mustang, with V8s for the fastest models.
The One Ford strategy is designed to cut costs and reduce the number of models and platforms the company makes globally. Under the plan, right-hand drive Mustangs could be built in the US and shipped to Britain, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Computer-generated images of the anniversary car show that although it's smaller and leaner, it still packs all the visual aggression for which the Mustang has been famous.
This includes recessed headlamps, a traditional C-pillar and triple lens tail-lights. Yet while it harks back to 1960s Mustangs, the new car will be the most technically advanced version ever.
It will be far lighter than the current model; for improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.
Plus, for the first time, it's set to feature independent rear suspension.
This set-up replaces the decades-old live rear axle of the current car, and should mean better ride comfort and traction.
Power will come from a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost turbo with about 225kW, while a range-topping 373kW 5.4-litre V8 will be available, too.
Six-speed manual and auto transmissions are likely to be offered, with torque vectoring to keep the performance in check.
The handling is expected to be tuned by Jost Capito and his team at Ford's Global Performance Vehicles arm.
