Old Meets New In Siemens’ Autonomous 1965 Ford Mustang

The 1965 Ford Mustang is an icon that has withstood the test of time, but it’s not exactly the most high-tech vehicle. Siemens is looking to change that by unveiling a one-off model that has been equipped with autonomous driving technology.

Set to attempt the famous Goodwood hill climb later this week, the Mustang aims to combine “classic engineering with autonomous technology.” As part of this effort, the automotive supplier teamed up with Cranfield University to bring the car into the modern era.

Technical details remain elusive but the university said researchers from their Advanced Vehicle Engineering Center worked hand-in-hand with Siemens to equip the Mustang with a “suite of state-of-the-art sensors and control algorithms.” There’s no word on specifics, but the team also used advanced location scanning technology to create a 3D map of the 1.86 km (1.15 mile) long course.

The modifications are well hidden as the only noticeable exterior changes are two sensors that are located near the hood and trunk. The interior also appears relatively stock with the exception of a big red button that is presumably used to stop the vehicle in the event that something goes wrong.

While the Mustang is certainly eye-catching, the team behind the project noted it “presented a particular challenge as the model can be notoriously unpredictable even under manual control.” That, combined with safety regulations, means Cranfield senior lecturer Dr James Brighton will act as a safety driver during the car’s runs at Goodwood.

Speaking of the latter, the first attempt will be made on July 12th. The feat will then be repeated twice every day until the end of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 15th.