It’s here! The menacing Mustang for the fuel aficionado

The all-new Ford Mustang has finally arrived in South Africa, and boy, has it been greeted with bags of enthusiasm! So much so, that you possibly won’t be able to lay your hands on one until late in 2018. The launch took part in Cape Town and we were there to immerse ourselves in everything Mustang.

Does it look the part?

The new Mustang is an undeniably hot piece of metal. Designers thankfully didn’t stray too far from 2010’s sexy body shape, and the Mustang oozes sex appeal, rebelliousness, athleticism and individuality. It’s ever so slightly lower and wider than the previous, and features the trapezoidal ‘shark bite’ grille with the pony in motion, dead centre. Around the back you have those gorgeous tri-bar tail-lights that make a very bold statement. People went crazy as the Mustang press fleet whizzed by.

The interior is a modernized version of the 1967 Mustang’s cabin, with retro dials and a cockpit-like switches and healthy dollops of brushed aluminium. The centre tunnel is home to a retro-modern gear lever and two cup holders. A traditional handbrake is placed on the passenger’s side of the car. Once you’ve found the perfect seating position via the sublime electronic adjustment, perforated leather sports seats lovingly envelop your behind, thighs and back. All Mustangs get Ford’s voice-activated SYNC2 infotainment touch screen system. There are a few plasticky bits here and there, and I wish more thought had gone into small details such as the indicator stalks, which are no different from the ones in more everyday Fords. The Start button is very unassuming for such a glamorous interior, and would look more at home in a Ford Focus. This is the first right-hand drive Mustang ever to be built.

Does it sound like a real Mustang?

As you may have heard, there’s a new 2.3 litre EcoBoost engine under the 2015 Mustang’s muscular bonnet, for more eco-conscious Mustang fans. The sound has been augmented to sound like the 5.0 litre V8, and they’ve done a relatively good job of it, regardless of the fact that it’s only a four-cylinder. At R12 per litre for petrol these days, the EcoBoost engine is definitely the logical choice, but for Mustang purists, the beastly 5.0 litre V8 engine with its guttural roar, is the only one that will satisfy their senses.

How wild is the ride?

The new Mustang’s rear suspension is independent, allowing for greater grip and more precise handling. An advanced traction control system will help keep you out of any real trouble. The ride is firm, as one would expect. But not bone-jarringly so.

Our launch route from the city to Cape Point and back to Camps Bay was sufficiently twisty, but never desolate enough to test the Mustang to its limits. Still, in both the 2.3 Convertible and 5.0 litre Fastback, there was enough excitement to be had, and the Mustang is surprisingly agile for such a large piece of machinery. It’s as wild, or composed, as you want it to be.  For your inner hooligan, there are a multitude of  drive modes and ‘Track Apps’ controllable via Ford’s SYNC2 system, and manual Mustangs have Launch Control. In the flagship Mustang, you can even warm your rear tyres with Electronic Line Lock for speedy escapes from traffic lights, just in case a fellow road user tries something silly, like challenging you to a street race. But rather save it for the track!
Does it perform like a real Mustang?

The V8 (with 306 kW and 530 Nm) will give you that satisfying kick in the lower back, as it catapults you to a 100 km in 4.8 seconds. The 2.3 litre EcoBoost variant (233 kW and 430 Nm) is only about a second slower.

How practical is it?

In the convertible Mustang, I stowed my medium-sized handbag behind my seat, and could only remove it once I’d moved my seat forward. If you’re going to have (short) friends in the back regularly, rather go for the Coupe version, known as the Fastback. The Fastback’s boot is also capable of swallowing two golf bags.

Does it come fully loaded?

Ford has been super generous with the level of specification in a car that is already well- priced, considering the amount of sheer power offered. It’s been supersized with goodies (such as the Performance Pack) that will make every petrol head happy, and is high on safety equipment too. The Fastback versions have eight airbags, including a passenger knee bag that resides in the glove box.

The options list is short and sweet: If you specify a metallic paint job you only pay R750. Don’t like the black rims? ‘19-inch premium painted aluminium alloys with Lustre Nickel finish’ can be selected, free of charge.

Which Mustang is for me?

We only drove the Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Convertible Auto and the Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback Auto on the launch. Both were sublime. But if you’re a true driving enthusiast, the manual versions offer more engagement. (Automatic versions have steering wheel mounted paddles.)

There are six to choose from:

Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Fastback Manual	R 699 900
Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Fastback Auto	R 719 900
Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Convertible Auto	R 779 900
Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback Manual	R 819 900
Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback Auto	R 839 900
Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible Auto	R 899 900

Should I put my name on the waiting list?

You should have done that, months ago. I’d buy one on looks alone. The Mustang is so unabashedly provocative, you’d be mad to not desire one. All of this power, passion, cult status and history to be had for under a million bucks. Not to mention the babes you’re going to attract. If you’re the conservative type, maybe go for something a little more German. In white.

All models are sold with a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, five-year/100 000km service plan, three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. Service intervals are every 20 000km.