By Ian Strachan
When the latest Ford Mustang hit our shores, it would have been so easy to be disappointed. Would Ford really be able to recreate the Mustang of legend, or will it just be a re-styled, souped-up coupe that looks like a Mustang but is really a Mondeo under the skin? After all, that’s what they did with Jaguar.
No need to worry. This is a Mustang in every way. It looks like a Mustang, it sounds like a Mustang and it performs like a Mustang. It is true to the legend, but, this being 2019, it comes with a few extra creature comforts, safety aids and technology that just wasn’t around in the mid-60s when the Mustang first put its tyres on the road in the US.
The sixth generation Mustang is unmistakable, with its powerful, muscular lines, mesh grille with that iconic badge, and signature chevron lighting at the rear.
I test drove the Mustang GT 5.0 litre V8 Fastback, with a 10-speed automatic gearbox. On start-up you get that thrilling Mustang roar through the quadruple tailpipes. But this high-powered monster isn’t all about grunt. It may be about as sophisticated as a chilli dog, growling out a massive 450 brake horsepower, but on the road it is composed and nicely-balanced, and that 10-speed box is sensibly geared to give comfortable cruising combined with an awesome blast of power on kick-down.
The Mustang isn’t just fast – it also handles superbly. Even with all that power being delivered to the driving wheels you never feel in less than total control. Steering is quick and responsive.
Don’t expect great fuel economy with the automatic 5.0 Mustang. If you’re careful you’ll get around 25 miles to the gallon. But then again you don’t buy a car with a 5.0 litre engine if you’re worried about fuel consumption. And C02 emissions of 270 g/km will mean a hefty road tax bill. Everything has its price.
The Mustang is exceptionally comfortable for driver and three passengers, with big leather sculpted electrically adjustable sports seats which can be heated or cooled. Controls are clear and well laid out.
The Mustang’s appearance is enhanced with huge multi-spoke 19” alloys and skinny tyres. The alloys are almost flush with the tyre wall, though, so it’s easy to scuff them if you’re a careless parker.
Equipment levels are high. Standard equipment includes selectable driving modes for snow, wet, normal or sport driving, adaptive cruise control, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, lane departure warning with lane-keeping aid, pre-collision warning, powered folding door mirrors with Mustang logo puddle lamps, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, rear parking camera with sensors, nine-speaker DAB radio with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay, dual zone electronic climate control and heated steering wheel.
All this power and specification comes at an on the road price of £44,810. My car came with extras including striking Velocity Blue paint (£600), adaptive suspension (£1,600), and a custom pack which includes an up-rated premium sound system with 12 speakers, satellite navigation, leather console trim and silver 19 inch alloys (£2,365).
