The face-lifted version of the Ford Mustang arrived here in July 2019 and there was a lot more to the new car than just a few cosmetic changes.
Ford didn’t mess with the basic formula launched here in December 2015, however, but improved the Mustang in subtle visual and telling under-the-skin changes. But you have to be quite observant to notice the visual changes.
Related: Pony Up – The new Ford Mustang: First Drive Impression (Launch Report)
South Africans had to wait over half a century for the Mustang to be officially launched here as a showroom floor model, although the original 1965 version was available here in late 1964 to special order, when some 80 were sold through Ford dealerships. Since that time hundreds, even thousands of Mustangs were privately imported here in various generations.
Why the long wait for the Mustang to get here?
The Mustang was only available in left-hand-drive form and when it was launched in America (the first ’65 ‘Stang in fact debuted in April 1964), South Africa had a strict local content program. All fully-imported cars were subjected to over 100 % tax and this made it prohibitive here from a cost perspective. From the late 1990s all importation of left-hand-drive cars was stopped by the government.
Then in late 2013 it was announced that the Mustang was to be produced in right-hand-drive form, and that opened the way for SA importation, satisfying more than half a century of pent-up demand!
Sales success to date
The Mustang has been a huge sales success here for Ford. In this market, anything approaching sales of over 20 a month for such a niche car is difficult to sustain. Yet, thanks to keen pricing and cult status, Mustangs have regularly sold up to 80 units a month over the past three and a half years. The latest up-dated version has seen this trend sustained, but currently on a smaller scale due to the tight economy.
The line-up stays the same
The new Mustang retains its basic format and model line-up as introduced in December 2015. This means there are two engine options, a 2,3-litre turbocharged Ecoboost four-cylinder, and a 5,0-litre V8. There are two body styles available, a coupe (or Fastback, as Ford likes to call it) and a convertible. Seating in both is of the 2+2 variety. The rear seats are better suited to children, but they can accommodate adults.
At the July 2019 launch, Ford also announce llimited availability of the new Mustang Bullitt.
Related: Biting the Bullitt: Mustang’s movie legacy
Our Top 10 differences between old and new Mustang
Here are our Top 10 new features on the post-July 2019 Ford Mustang
- New LED head lights and tail lights. This is the easiest way to recocgnise the new Mustang. The new LED headlights are sleeker, and there have been quite dramatic changes to the front bumper unit to incorporate new indicator and fog lamp arrangements. The triple-bar tail lights now have a more “boomerang” look.
- New bonnet. The new bonnet is lower and incorporates a pair of sexy-looking air intakes, protected by mesh.
- New wheel designs. The Mustang can be ordered with new wheel styling in a range of finishes. A 19-by-9-inch forged wheel is now an option.
- The leather-covered seats have been updated. The front seats are now heated and ventilated, and feature six-way electric adjustment with memory.
- Up-rated engines. The new Ecoboost 2,3-litre turbo engine retains its 213 kW output but torque has increased by 11 Nm to 441 NM. The V8 gets a bigger 25 kW boost and now produces 331 kW and a much higher rev-ceiling. Torque increases to 529 Nm.
- Suspension upgrades. Ford has extensively revised the Mustang’s suspension with some comprehensive upgrades that transform the car! These include heavier springs, revised dampers, a strut brace, and other smaller changes.
- 10-speed automatic gearbox. The automatic gearbox has changed from a 6-speed to a 10-speed automatic. A 6-speed manual is now available only in the limited-edition Mustang Bullitt, also introduced here at the July 2019 launch.
- LCD instrumentation and new Ford Sync. The instrument cluster has been modernised with full LCD variable instrumentation and the latest Ford Synch infotainment screen is housed in the centre console.
- Adaptive cruise control is now fitted.
- And last., but not least, the exhaust on the 5.0 V8 now features Active Valve Performance Technology, which means you can choose an exhaust note to let the sleeping neighbourhood dogs lie, or announce your presence with a full-throated growl!
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