Need for Speed Rivals will allow you to drive the new Mustang before it hits the streets in 2014

Written by Brandon Hofer on December 17, 2013

News: EA and Ford have teamed up to let Need for Speed Rivals players drive the new Mustang, for free, before the real deal hits the streets next year.

Be among the first to drive the all-new Ford Mustang in Need for Speed Rivals with a free in-game download. EA and Ford are teaming up to let players of the recently released Need for Speed Rivals video game virtually drive the hotly-anticipated, next generation Mustang before it hits streets next year. Just days after the all-new Mustang was revealed around the world, it will automatically appear in the garage of cars available to drive for everyone playing the arcade style racing game.

“During the past five decades, Mustang has become so much more than just a car,” said Andrea Zuehlk, Ford digital marketing manager. “The feeling of freedom and independence Mustang inspires has made it popular around the world, with more than half of its 5 million plus Facebook fans coming from outside of North America.”

With well beyond 9 million cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production, the Mustang has made a significant impact in pop culture, including gaming as it has been featured in the Need for Speed franchise since 2005. It has also made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook with more than 5.6 million fans.

“We worked closely with the development team at EA to provide them with engineering data for the new Mustang, several months before we showed it to the rest of the world,” said Mark Bentley, Ford product licensing manager. “Computer design models enabled the game developers to create an accurate representation of the new Mustang before it goes on sale.”

“In the game, players can choose from five custom designs to give their new Mustang a unique look,” said Zuehlk. “Four are selected from the designs that received the most votes in Ford’s award winning Mustang Customizer online, mobile and tablet application, plus a special bonus design created by RTR founder and Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr.”

What do you think about being able to virtually drive the new Mustang before the real deal is available? Take a look at the trailer below and tell us what you think about Need for Speed Rivals.