Ford is taking the Mustang in an exciting new direction with a design contest that lets young talent take the wheel. In partnership with China’s College for Creative Studies (CDS), students from around the globe were challenged to reimagine the iconic pony car.
The outcome? Concepts that push the Mustang’s identity to bold new places, offering a glimpse of where the legendary model could go in the future. It’s a thrilling look at what’s next for this American performance icon.
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Bringing Student Designs to Life
The “Mustang: A Grand Tour of Re-imagination” competition brought together 25 students from 22 schools across China, Germany, and beyond. Over several months, they crafted their own unique visions inspired by the Mustang.
After the first round of judging, eight finalists headed to Ford’s Shanghai design center for hands-on guidance. With support from Ford designers and virtual reality tools, their sketches were transformed into detailed 3D models.
Now, three of these projects are moving on to the next phase: full-scale model fabrication. Each one offers a fresh perspective on what the Mustang could become, not only in design but in purpose as well.
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Three Bold New Takes on the Mustang
With his Mach-S Concept, Liu Sizhuo from Tsinghua University took the Mustang in a new direction. Inspired by the shooting brake style, he combined the car’s performance roots with road-trip practicality, offering a sleek design with a long roofline, wide stance, and dramatic curves. The added cargo space makes it perfect for the open road, reflecting the Mustang’s spirit of freedom.
Xie Yi’an from Germany’s Pforzheim University pushed with the Mustang Super Utility Concept. His design blends the sportiness of a coupe with the ruggedness of a utility vehicle, borrowing elements from pickup trucks to offer more cargo room while keeping that iconic Mustang presence. The electric layout opens up the interior, balancing function and performance in an entirely new way.
The most extreme concept came from Lai Yushun of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. His Mustang Hyper Tandem Concept is a dual-cockpit track machine inspired by fighter jets, featuring one seat for a mentor and another for a student. With aggressive aerodynamics, sharp lines, and a stance built for racing, this concept feels ready for Daytona or Le Mans, and the bold paint scheme adds a touch of individuality.
So, all that remains to ask is—if you had to pick only one, which would you choose?
