Ford reveals new £30k Mustang 09 | 12 | 2013
FORD HAS OFFICIALLY revealed its new Mustang, the first to go on sale in the UK with right-hand drive for more than four decades. Due to go on sale in the final quarter of next year, the first cars will arrive in the UK in 2015.
“We didn’t decide to do a global Mustang,” Dave Pericak, Mustang programme boss, said. “We decided to take the Mustang global.”
That subtle difference in phrase is significant.
“Everything we do is to make a Mustang, and then take it global with homologation. We didn’t change the recipe.”
While Ford admits the car is its latest global model to be developed under the ‘One Ford’ plan, Ford also claims the character has not been altered as a result.
According to Ford's executive vice-president of global marketing Jim Farley, a huge amount of effort has gone into the car's suspension, brakes, interior and powertrains to make it acceptable for Europeans.
The new-generation Mustang has finally adopted independent rear suspension, 30 years after most manufacturers jettisoned live rear axles.
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As a result, ride quality is improved greatly and the
front suspension has also redesigned as a result. The car sits on 19in alloys.
Lighter and stiffer than previous models, and with a larger cabin for occupants, the interior also benefits from a noticeable improvement in quality.
While the double-wing dashboard style of the 1964 and 2004 cars remains, along with big dials and aeronautical graphics, there's also an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen located in the centre of the cabin. In cars bound for Europe, this will include sat-nav.
And while the 5.0-litre V8 is the carried-over 420bhp/390lb ft Coyote motor — which will be upgraded to 500bhp within 18 months — the new Mustang also gets a 305bhp/300lb ft 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost engine.
The latter is likely to be the main seller in Europe, as Ford has opted not to bring the base-level, 305bhp 3.7-litre V6.
There's also the option of six-speed manual and auto transmissions, which means optional steering-wheel mounted paddles are also retained. And get this: Ford is currently developing a 10-speed auto 'box, though it's believed to be two years away.
Prices? Expect the new Mustang to start around £30,000.
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Jim McGill