2017 Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special: Ultimate Guide

2017 Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special

2017 Ford Mustang GT/CS California Special

The California special package is back for the 2017 model year Mustang after a one year break. For a few thousand dollar on top of your Mustang you get a sporty, black decklid spoiler, accent stripes, and leather/suede power seats with red accent stitching. The California Special option kit adds an extra dash of retro appeal onto an already cool package. This Mustang isn’t for everyone, true, but its demeanor makes it far more appealing to a wider audience than you’d imagine.

Available on the Mustang 5.0-liter GT Premium package exclusively, the “CS” has been a staple Mustang offering for many years going all the way back to 1968. It is a bit more special than your standard GT car and has always got that extra aggressive look that I personally feel better suits the Mustang. 2017 is no different, with the California special package being mainly a basket of cosmetic changes. Don’t fret though, because this is a GT after all so it is always a tasty sports car package to begin with, powered by a 5.0 liter V8 with 435 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 400 lb/ft torque @ 4250 rpm. Performance-wise, there’s very little in the California Special that’s not already in the 5.0 Premium, aside from a high-performance front-splitter and some other minor bits and pieces.

For 2017, the CS package is available on both the fastback or convertible bodystyles. The unique features of the 2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special begin on the front end, where a large front splitter and a unique grille with the tri-bar pony logo give the face of the GT/CS a very different look from the other new Mustang GT models. Next, regardless of the vehicle color chosen, the 2016 Mustang GT/CS sports black painted exterior mirrors, black painted hood vents with new integrated turn signal indicators, 19 inch ebony painted wheels, a black stripe package on the hood and doors, a black pedestal spoiler, dark taillight accents and a faux rear gas cap with the GT California Special emblem. Visually, the car does look more special than the regular GT. Its just that little bit more aggressive and assertive of a design.

On the inside, the 2017 Ford Mustang GT/CS has ebony leather seats with Miko suede inserts and red contrast stitching as well as a red embossed logo on the seat backs. The premium carpeting is finished in black with more red stitching, the door panels have a black design that is unique to this new package and the dashboard has an aluminum finish that is new to the California Special package. A silver badge on the upper right side of the dash announces the California Special package and for a little extra performance, the California Special package comes with a strut tower brace sporting the package logo.