The Ford Mustang is a car that needs very little introduction. It's a pop icon, a bedroom poster car and a vehicle that will bring out the 5-year old in most enthusiasts. It's the blue-collar sports car for the everyman. There's no denying that it's a success story for Ford with over 9.8-million units sold since 1965.
South Africa first saw the current generation in 2016, thanks to the decision to manufacture the model in right-hand drive format. Since then, over 2600 models have been sold on South African soil. Watch our review of the 2016 model here: 2016 Ford Mustang
The sixth-generation Ford Mustang received an update in 2018 and this version has just touched down in South Africa, presenting a host of cosmetic, technological and power train upgrades.
2019 updates
Styling
While still based on the existing S550 platform, the new Ford Mustang features revised styling with a lower front edge to the bonnet, creating a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile. The bonnet now has integrated vents and the lower air dam has been redesigned to better suit the new nose. It's complemented by redesigned LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) with automatic function.
Fresh, new 19-inch alloy wheels adorn the corners while the rear of the Mustang has been face-lifted to include new LED taillights and a redesigned lower diffuser. Overall, the new design is sleek and athletic. So far, we're off to a good start.
Interior
The interior features soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door cards, offsetting the new milled-finish aluminium-look trim pieces on the dashboard and door handles. The leather seats offer heating and air-conditioning and the trimming has been updated to provide a more premium feel.
The talking point is the new 12-inch digital display for the driver that replaces the traditional gauge cluster across the range. Personally, I'm sorry to see the retro-styled analogue gauges done away with but the new display does offer a host of display options with customizable layouts and colour schemes. The menu system takes some getting used to with a slightly illogical menu hierarchy that makes returning to the trip computer a little tricky.
Technology
The updates also see the addition of some smart safety features. In this is Pre-collision Assist and Pedestrian Detection (no “Mustangs leaving a car meet” jokes here) along with Lane Departure and Lane Keep Assistance to help keep you on the straight and narrow. These systems are complemented by Adaptive Cruise Control and Distance Alert.
While these systems keep you safe, a Bang & Olufsen audio system that is paired to the Ford SYNC3 infotainment system that is replete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Navigation.
Chassis
An area that was oft-criticized by many was the suspension and in particular, the rear set. The S550 is the first Mustang to feature an independent rear end and as most would attest to, it showed; first pancake flops and whatnot.
I'm pleased as punch to report that much of the wayward, unpredictable nature of the Mustang has been eradicated, thanks to revised damping from the shock absorbers and rose-jointed components that minimise body flex in each corner. It's further improved by the addition of a thicker anti-roll bar.
The South African market gets the Mustang Performance Pack as standard fitment that sees an additional K-brace and heavy-duty front springs as well as a limited-slip differential added to the running gear.
The benefits are instantly felt in the corners but sadly the lack of steering feel remains a point of concern. One has the option of selecting Sport steering but even with this additional weighting, the vagueness from the front end persists, making it difficult to position the Mustang in quick corners and when pressing on.
2.3-liter EcoBoost improvements
As before, two engines are on offer with the first being the tried and tested 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder mill. While often regarded to be the most anti-Mustang engine to ever be fitted to a production model, it remains a steady seller, both locally and abroad.
Revisions to the engine see the overall power down from 233 kW to 213 kW, but before you set your Ranger on fire, the torque has been boosted by 11 Nm to now total 441 Nm. Despite this shift in power delivery, the 0 – 100km/h sprint time remains at 5.8-seconds. The upside is that the power is considerably more manageable, making it easier to drive in town and on the open road.
Some of this improvement rests with the engine but I suspect much more has to do with the addition of the 10-speed automatic gearbox. First debuted in the Ranger Wildtrak and XLT, the new 10R80 gearbox is a magnificent cog-swapper that allows the engine to remain in its power band when accelerating and then present above-idle running at partial throttle to improve fuel consumption.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost gets the aforementioned 19-inch alloy wheel options and now has dual-zone climate control. Drag racing pundits will revel in the fact that the EcoBoost is now also equipped with Line Lock function, testimony to the tuning potential of the 2.3-liter engine.
5.0 GT updates
The flagship V8 model, the GT, with its 5.0-liter Coyote engine now makes more power and has a higher rev limit. Power is boosted to 331 kW, up from the 309 kW of the original S550 while the torque remains the same at 529 Nm. The improvements come thanks to a combination of high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port injection that smooths out the spread of power, making the V8 more manageable throughout the rev range.
The GT too benefits from the new 10-speed automatic gearbox that features a sport shift function with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.
An Active Exhaust has been added into the mix with settings from ranging from neighbourhood friendly 'Quiet', to pants-wetting 'Race' mode (best used in conjunction with the Sport+ or Race driving mode. Good Neighbour mode allows you to program the exhaust to close the flaps at certain times of the day, allowing you to start it up in the morning without fear of receiving a love letter from Body Corporate. The new system extends to the rear where a new set of dual exit tips poke their noisy heads out.
GT customers can now also opt to fit the MagneRide suspension that will equip the Mustang with magnetorheological shock absorbers that provide a stiffer response when needed and a softer ride when you calm things down to a mild panic. This option is touted to cost in the region of R18 000.
Once again, this makes the GT a well-composed and compliant GT car with a soundtrack to excite even the most stoic onlooker. The power delivery makes this an entertaining car to drive and comfort levels have been greatly improved, thanks in part to the suspension revisions.
Mustang Bullitt
Build to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Warner Brothers film, Bullitt, the Bullitt Mustang revisits the hero car, invoking memories of one of the greatest car chase scenes ever captured on celluloid.
With only 50 units available for South Africa, the Bullitt Mustang features a tuned version of the new 5.0 Coyote V8 that produces 338 kW and 529 Nm. More overly, this power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, topped with a cue ball-style shift knob.
The Bullitt benefits from the same technology as the GT and MagneRide suspension is standard fitment, as is the advanced safety systems.
Green stitching, a Bullitt emblem on the steering wheel and commemorative serial number plaque dress up the black interior.
You can choose from the iconic Dark Highland Green or “Bad-Guy” Black as exterior colours while the unique 19-inch Heritage wheels with polished rims and Bullitt fuel filler cap are a direct nod to the film's greatest star (Steve McQueen fans will contest that claim though).
With a manual gearbox to play with, the Bullitt is an exciting, visceral experience that cannot be replicated by any other car in this price range. Go on, name another V8 that is currently available with a manual gearbox... I'll wait.
It looks the part, sounds it and goes like absolute stink. It's everything a Mustang should be.
Verdict
The improvements make the Mustang a considerably better GT car than before, no matter which engine or body style you choose. There are still some concerns over the build quality, fit and finish of the Mustang but the concerns around the suspension are, for the most part, resolved.
It's a vastly improved product with the highlight being the planted back end and the addition of the 10-speed gearbox. Combined, these work to create a GT car that is enjoyable to drive.
When one considers the pricing and how little it has changed over the last 4-years, the Mustang is suddenly a viable, value proposition. Its peers have breached the R1-million mark and finding a comparable offering is becoming tough.
Pricing
| Mustang 2.3 Fastback 10AT | R768 000 | |
| Mustang 2.3 Convertible 10AT | R831 000 | |
| Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback 10AT | R915 800 | |
| Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible 10AT | R978 400 | |
| Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 GT Fastback 6MT | R995 400 |
All models come standard a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included, with 15 000 km service intervals.
