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You don’t have to be a petrolhead to have your head turned by the all-new Ford Mustang. And you may hear the distinctive growl of the Mustang’s twin exhausts before you see it.
The wait has been a long one for this iconic muscle car, but the galloping steed emblem is finally back on local shores.
Originally engineered for straight-line speed, American muscle cars had big engines – mostly big block V8s – under the bonnet.
They were loud, brash, high-performing gas-guzzlers; potent on the straight but short on cornering ability. With not much in the way of refinement, these high-performance muscle cars were the antithesis of their European counterparts. But they were so much fun to drive.
The Mustang has long had a devoted following, helped in part by film appearances, the most famous of which was the 1968 movie Bullitt with its epic car chase scene.
The green V8 Ford Mustang GT fastback used in that movie developed such a cult following that Ford even produced two Bullitt editions of the Mustang.
A legend reborn
Retaining the mystique and American brawn of those original muscle cars, refining handling ability, and incorporating power, performance and fuel efficiency that today’s drivers have come to expect must have been no easy task, but the new Mustang delivers on all accounts.
The essence of that iconic car from the 60s has not been lost. The lower and wider new pony car is a modern interpretation of the Mustang but it still sports the legendary sports-car-like coupé design with its long hood housing an elevated, muscular centre streak and short, sloped rear deck and distinctive tail lights so essential to the design DNA.
Yet even while the car is more sculptured and curved, it has lost nothing of its potent muscular authority or aggressive form clearly evident from its shark-bite grille.
And it’s not only good looking on the outside. The aviation-inspired cockpit is crisp and uncluttered, sporting dials and switches reminiscent of those in a race car.
And it has all the latest tech, from phone connection and dual USB slots, to an 8” touch screen, selectable drive modes, reverse camera and navigation. The Mustang even has Track Apps for on-track performance and in the V8 manual, Launch Control to get the most from the car off the line.
The cabin is roomy up front but taller adults may find the rear a bit of a squeeze. The boot can accommodate two sets of golf clubs, according to Ford.
The legendary muscle car hits local shores with six variants, ranging from the manual 2.3-litre Fastback to the automatic 5-litre V8 convertible.
Performance is part and parcel of the Mustang’s history and the powertrains on the all-new pony car ensure that the new right-hand drive Mustang lives up to its heritage.
Ford’s iconic Mustang comes with either a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine under the bonnet boasting 306kw and 530Nm – the 5.0 V8 GT Manual capable of galloping from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4.8 sec – or a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine with its 233kW of power and torque of 430Nm, mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Far more than just looks
The car is a head-turner. From the pointing pedestrians whose heads whip around at the sight or sound of the car, to the fellow highway driver who strains to pull alongside you to take a picture or let you know what a cool car you drive.
So, if this is how the general public reacts to just seeing this iconic pony car, you would be right if you thought those same emotions are experienced behind the wheel.
Given the hype that the car had generated as one of the most anticipated launches of recent years, expectations were high. Some cars look good, but can be disappointing to drive. Not so with this American muscle car.
Of the six-model line-up, my pick was the 2.3-litre manual Fastback for its affordability and for an engaging driving experience. It was a good pick. Everything about how it rides, sounds and steers gets the tick.
It might not be the V8 but it is still all Mustang – not short on performance and very much a pure driving experience. It’s a lighter, more refined and agile version of its predecessor.
From the firm yet comfortable ride in the sport-style supportive leather seats, to the road feedback that is delivered through the effort-adjusted steering and the race-like gearbox with its shorter, somewhat notchy, yet precise gearing.
And there is none of that back-end hopping in the turns that its 60s predecessor was famous for. A lighter, stiffer body, independent rear suspension – plus splitters and air dams below the front fascia that help reduce air under the car – has put paid to that so now it’s grippy and handles twists and turns with grace.
This rear-wheel-drive Mustang is planted. And it’s a car that many would be happy to drive all day, every day.
The 2.3 auto might make more sense as an everyday car in traffic conditions, but for a pure, engaging driving experience, the manual is a must-have.
That’s not to say the auto is not dynamic. It is. But besides being more Mustang-like to drive and allowing more exhaust rumble, the manual’s substantially more fuel-efficient than the auto version as my testing of both these variants proved.
The all-new Ford Mustang is not only a dynamic every day drive, it’s a value drive too. Who would have thought you could bag this iconic pony car for under R700 000, or the legendary V8 for under R1m?
This is a car whose wheel you can’t wait to get behind, pump up the music and just drive and drive and drive.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that this performance steed has a real handbrake? Such a relief from those blessed electronic buttons that give you no stopping backup, nor allow for handbrake turns.
This article originally appeared in the 21 January 2016 edition of finweek. Buy and download the magazine here.
