Ford Mustang Apollo Edition launched

Ford has kept up its tradition of building one off, aircraft inspired custom editions of Mustangs for the past eight years. It's part of a programme to benefit the Experimental Aircraft Association youth education programs.

This year, they've come up with the Apollo Edition Mustang, a throwback to the Apollo missions run by NASA, which ultimately landed a man on the moon and the efforts of which gave the US a distinctive foothold as the leader of global technological advancements. The Mustang is therefore a perfect basis for a patriotic themed muscle car.

With a distinctive paintjob and livery reminiscent of early Apollo mission spacecrafts, the custom Mustang goes to great lengths to make a visual connection with the theme, both inside and out. The rocket-ship thrust is there as well, thanks to a supercharged V8 putting out a thunderous 627 HP and 540 lb-ft of torque. The Apollo edition also has six piston Brembo brakes and sport tuned suspension. Atmospheric re-entry parachute comes as an optional extra.

Here are the aircraft inspired Mustangs from the past eight years: 

2008 - Mustang AV8R, with cues from F-22 Raptor.

2009 - AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang, crafted in honor of the World War II aircraft.

2010-SR-71 Blackbird Mustang inspired by legendary reconnaissance jet.

2011 - Blue Angels Mustang, created to celebrate 100 years of U.S. naval aviation.

2012 - Red Tails Mustang, to pay homage to Tuskegee Airmen - courageous squadron of P-51 Mustang pilots who were the United States' first African American military airmen.

2013 - U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang, built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

2014 - F-35 Lightning Edition II Mustang, which featured design cues from the F-35 Lightning.