Ford captured industry attention by unveiling three reinterpreted Mustang concept models through its local design program in China. The “Mustang: A Grand Tour Of Re-imagination” project goes beyond sketches, with actual concept cars displayed at the Auto Shanghai 2025.
The project is a collaborative effort between Ford Design China and design students from 22 universities across China and internationally. Among the concepts, three designs stood out: a shooting brake, a pickup truck, and a fighter jet-inspired sports car, all chosen for full-scale model development. In a bold experimental approach, these concepts blend the Mustang’s iconic heritage with electric-era aesthetics.
Diverse Concepts Under the Mustang Banner
The most striking concept is the Mustang Mach-S, proposed by Tsinghua University student Liu Sizhuo. This model maintains the classic pony car silhouette, reimagined as a shooting brake that balances style and practicality. It features an extended roofline for increased cargo space, harmonizing the Mustang’s aggressive front end with sleek side contours.
German designer Xie Yian’s Mustang Super Utility Concept breaks away from traditional expectations. This model aims to merge the muscle car spirit with practicality by combining a coupe roofline with a pickup truck bed. Planned as a fully electric vehicle, it features a horizontal light bar and a bold grille at the front, giving it a futuristic look.
Lai Yushun’s Mustang Hyper Tandem Concept draws inspiration from fighter jet cockpits. It features a tandem two-seat layout in an electric sports car. With its ultra-low profile and exaggerated aerodynamics, it amplifies the Mustang’s racing heritage. This concept is regarded as one of Ford’s most experimental Mustang designs.
Beyond Concept: Bringing Designs to Life
This project goes beyond a mere design competition. Ford doesn’t just present these models as concept designs but actively develops them into full-scale vehicles through 3D digital modeling. With several models already created, the possibilities for the Mustang’s evolution appear limitless.
The Auto Shanghai 2025 display will serve as a design laboratory, exploring potential brand extensions and derivative model strategies for the Mustang. Ford’s approach demonstrates its ambition to extend the Mustang name into various formats, preserving its iconic legacy and adapting it to the electric vehicle era.
The reception of these models at the Auto Shanghai 2025 may play a significant role in determining whether they will move into production. If the pickup truck Mustang becomes a reality, it could mark another major shift in the global automotive market.
