Ford Is California Dreamin’ With the 2026 Mustang Mach-E California Special
A heritage package that was once reserved for the Mustang GT and its V-8 engine is coming to Ford's EV SUV world.
In the 1960s, the Ford Mustang and California were bonded together thanks to the state boasting the largest sales of the popular pony car. To celebrate that success, dealers worked with Ford to create the 1968 Mustang California Special with unique red and black accents and aero features that would go on to define the trim. Now for the first time, Ford will celebrate California and Mustangs not with the fire-breathing V-8, but with modern and quiet electric motors for the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT California Special. However, this isn’t a simple “copy and paste” job between the EV and ICE Mustangs as the Mach-E will be unique from previous V-8 GTs that received the Cali touch.
To make the 2026 Mustang Mach-E GT California Special (abbreviated to “GT/CS”) truly “special,” Ford took some influence from the 1968 GT/CS and its special aerodynamic additions. For the Mach-E version, a set of 20-inch wheels will wear gloss black aero wheel covers that sit between the split five spokes and a “GT/CS” logo is printed in Rave Blue on one of the carbonized gray-painted spokes.
You’ll also find Rave Blue used on the emblems including the pony badge on the grille that lights up in this unique color. There is a hood graphic inspired by the California coastline and the car features the “California Special” wordmark to complete the exterior touches.
Inside, a set of Performance front seats are installed but are upholstered in Navy Pier ActiveX and Miko materials. The navy ActiveX material is also used on the steering wheel and the center console with an embossed “GT/CS” logo on it. To break up the dark colors, reflective blue and silver stitching is found throughout the cabin, and the floor mats match those darkness-breaking details.
