Overview
THE Ford Mustang is arguably probably the most revered title in American muscle – and one which has been part of the motoring scene since 1964, when Aussie consumers had been nonetheless content material to drive six-cylinder EH-series Holdens and XM-series Falcons…
It was a automotive that led a revolution in reasonably priced efficiency; inspiring different OEMs and making a cult-like following that’s as alive and effectively in the present day because it was 60 years in the past.
From this month, the Mustang will enter Australian showrooms priced from $66,990 plus on-road prices, sustaining its ‘reasonably priced efficiency’ tag and providing extra of the whole lot than ever earlier than.
4- and eight-cylinder fashions stay accessible, so too coupe (Fastback) and convertible physique types. The highly effective Darkish Horse flagship was additionally on supply however is now bought out… extra’s the pity.
With chiselled appears to be like impressed by heritage fashions, the Mustang’s low, horizontal forehead emphasises the mannequin’s width and is characterised by an higher grille that’s paying homage to the Sixties unique and LED headlights that proceed a basic lighting signature.
The coupe’s roofline and “broad sprinting stance” are once more reflective of the proportions of the first-generation mannequin, whereas the widened rear haunches “level to energy over the rear wheels”.
Australian Mustang fashions function many efficiency choices as normal, the extremely specified vary together with Brembo brakes, a bigger radiator and cooling followers, Ebony Black alloy wheels (19 x 9.0-inch entrance / 19 x 9.5-inch rear), and Pirelli P-Zero rubber.
Moreover, Darkish Horse variants add shadow graphic surrounds and darkened LED headlights up entrance, a gloss black grille with trapezoidal nostrils, a novel decrease bumper with excessive gloss “fangs”, decrease facet skirts, a set rear spoiler, rear diffuser, darkened quad exhaust shops, and bespoke badging.
Every Darkish Horse automobile is additional recognized by its personal particular person chassis quantity.
The Aussie Mustang vary is offered in two strong paint colors – Oxford White and Race Crimson – and 10 status paint ($700) colors, together with Shadow Black, Vapour Blue, Atlas Blue, Grabber Blue, Darkish Matter Gray, Carbonised Gray, Iconic Silver, Fast Crimson, Yellow Splash, and Blue Ember (Darkish Horse solely).
Ford’s newest ‘Stang measures 4811mm in size (4823mm for Darkish Horse), 2097mm in width, 1407mm in top (1413mm for Darkish Horse), and rides on a 2719mm wheelbase. EcoBoost fashions tip the dimensions at 1746kg whereas the automatic-equipped Darkish Horse is the heaviest at 1842kg.
However it’s inside that the Mustang takes its largest step ahead. The fighter jet-inspired cockpit is probably the most technologically superior but, with a driver-centric structure, curved 12.4-inch and 13.2-inch shows for instrumentation and infotainment respectively, and premium 12-speaker B&O sound system on all variants.
A number of Monitor Apps are additionally included, offering the driving force with an acceleration timer, accelerometer, brake efficiency read-out, lap timer, launch management (handbook solely), line-lock perform, and the flexibility to evaluate or clear outcomes.
Moreover, the Mustang Darkish Horse provides a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel with microsuede inserts and contrasting Vibrant Indigo Blue sew work. Anodised silver paddle shifters function on computerized variants, whereas a devoted drive mode button is at thumb’s attain, permitting drivers to “shortly select the specified driving setup”.
Darkish Horse variants additional embody a 3D printed titanium shift ball, Vibrant Indigo Blue stitching throughout the door playing cards and fabric, and on the gear shift boot and centre console. Blue seatbelts and non-obligatory Recaro seats ($2950) in Deep Indigo Blue can be found, the variant additionally that includes Black Alley darkish metallic gloss inside garnishing.
Ford says it has made a number of track-focused enhancements to the Darkish Horse variant, together with the addition of brake cooling ducts, a transmission cooler, a rear axle cooler, distinctive chassis tuning, stiffer entrance springs and bespoke MagneRide shocks, and wider, staggered alloy wheels (19 x 9.5-inch entrance / 19 x 10.0-inch rear).
The variant additionally options Brembo six piston entrance brakes grabbing 390mm rotors and a Torsen restricted slip differential.
Underneath the bonnet, the Mustang vary once more provides Ford’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol EcoBoost unit in base trim. Paired solely with a 10-speed computerized transmission, the unit outputs 232kW at 5500rpm and 475Nm at 3000Nm and driving the rear wheels.
The up to date powerplant scores a revised, twin-scroll turbocharger with digital wastegate, revised exhaust manifold, revised camshaft timing and an built-in air induction system. Port and direct gas injection continues to offer optimum gas supply at respective high and low engine speeds.
The cracking Coyote V8 will once more be provided all through the vary, the 5.0-litre unit accessible with six-speed handbook or 10-speed computerized transmission choices and driving the rear wheels. The unit delivers 347kW at 7250rpm and 550Nm at 4850rpm in GT variants and 349kW at 7250rpm and 548Nm at 4850rpm in Darkish Horse tune.
Ford has enhanced the V8 engine with revised, twin 80mm throttle our bodies and air intakes to “maximise energy”, the engine once more utilising a mix of port and direct gas injection to extend low-end torque and high-rpm energy.
Mustang fashions will probably be accessible domestically with an electrical park brake and ‘Drift’ brake, the latter giving the looks of a standard mechanical park brake whereas permitting the flexibility to provoke a drift by way of “distinctive software program calibrations”.
Additional, all Mustang sequence function an Energetic Valve Efficiency Exhaust which can be managed by way of the steering wheel or central show via 4 modes – Regular, Sport, Monitor and Quiet.
Optionally, and along with Status Paint, the Mustang vary is offered with a Black Pack ($1500), EcoBoost Look Pack ($1500), GT Look Pack ($1500), Darkish Horse Look Pack ($2750), Recaro Sports activities Seats ($2950), and MagneRide Suspension ($2950).
Driving Impressions
Don’t let the technological developments of the newest Mustang idiot you. That is an sincere American muscle automotive that’s as ‘Mustang’ because it’s even been – and one we had an absolute ball piloting via the Adelaide Hills and round SA’s The Bend Motorsport Park.
Dawdling out of Adelaide the Mustang impresses with its ease of use. It’s solely habitable and calm in metropolis site visitors, being no tougher to dwell with than a family-sized sedan. The one actual distinction right here is how shortly it turns heads.
Let the horses run within the hills, nevertheless, and Mustang turns heads for a really completely different motive – that howling Coyote V8 is supercar loud with the dial turned up and reminds us simply why the Mustang’s relationship with the bent-eight mill is so effectively beloved. There’s merely nothing prefer it left!
Energy supply is suitably versatile and impressively sturdy. The engine continues to tug effectively north of 5000rpm, shortly proving that there’s extra efficiency than street if you would like it. Sure, people, the Mustang is fast – correctly fast – and excess of a one-trick (umm) pony on the subject of looking corners.
The Mustang’s V8 mill is fantastically conscious of throttle and the chassis desperate to level at bends. It handles extra like a barrel racer than a Melbourne Cup winner, a very shocking feat given the automobile’s dimension.
We expect that claims loads in regards to the consideration Ford engineers have positioned in getting the Mustang to disavow its ‘tail comfortable’ status. Although, that’s to not say you may’t break traction…
Heading to the monitor and it’s shortly evident the Mustang is keen and capable of flip rubber into smoke.
Nook exits are playful, and extremely entertaining, however solely if you would like them to be. When pushed with a lap time in thoughts the Mustang is remarkably correct, with extra communication via the tiller and seat than we recall of the outgoing mannequin.
Wish to ratchet it up a click on? Let the Darkish Horse out of its corral. The extra energy and shorter gearing completely adjustments the on-track perspective of the Mustang. It isn’t solely faster, but additionally flatter in corners and below braking, resisting dive to help sharper turn-in – and mid-corner tempo.
Once more, a progressive proper foot is the order of the day when establishing a clear nook exit. The progressive throttle lets you pile on loads of grunt for a hasty sprint in direction of the horizon, shaving seconds – not tenths – out of your lap time.
The Tremec six-speed handbook transmission is our decide of the pair, providing exact shifts and a good ratio unfold for efficiency use. In contrast, the 10-speed Ford transmission is busy and indecisive when left to its personal gadgets, the paddles a greater choice in the event you’re hoping to muster probably the most out of your ‘Stang.
We loved the EcoBoost four-cylinder however discovered throttle supply far sharper than the V8. In straight-line conditions this is perhaps an excellent factor, however when balancing the throttle on the restrict – or on the skidpan sampled on launch – it’s tougher to handle than you simply may suppose.
That apart, the half-sized engine actually provides loads of poke. It pairs higher with the 10-speed auto (the one choice for EcoBoost) than the V8 and feels buttery easy when absorbing the miles on nation B roads. Overtaking is swift and hill climbing a non-event.
The lighter engine additionally makes the Mustang really feel slightly nimbler; although in sampling the unit in convertible format we discovered the extent of scuttle shake distracting, maybe indicative that the four-pot soft-top is best suited to the open street than it’s the twists and turns of Adelaide’s picturesque hills.
So, the place does that go away the Mustang vary within the view of the common Aussie punter?
Effectively, as we see it, someplace between a loud and lairy muscle automotive and a effectively dialled-in (if reasonably giant) sports activities automotive.
That doesn’t imply the Mustang is making an attempt to be one thing it’s not. Removed from it. To us, it feels just like the Mustang is best at providing the something-for-everyone sort of really feel it was initially meant to ship – and we expect Aussie consumers will like that loads.
Let’s face it, in the event you ‘get’ what Mustang possession means, you’ll get what this automotive represents – and simply why it’s such a goddamn hoot to drive. If not, effectively, there are many different choices that can supply up the sort of thrills you’re in search of.
For my cash (and I say this as a welded-on Holden man), I reckon the Mustang can’t be crushed – and if one had been accessible, I’d drop a deposit on a Darkish Horse tomorrow. Let’s see what number of V8-loving Aussie consumers agree with me after their check drive.
