When it comes to motoring legends, they don’t come much bigger than the Ford Mustang. Ask any car or movie buff for a short list of the greatest ever Hollywood car chases and invariably at the top will be Bullitt, the cult classic starring “The King of Cool” himself, Steve McQueen, driving the other star of the show and poster pin-up car of the sixties, the Ford Mustang.
Released in 1964, it has truly become a motoring icon and now the legend returns with a brand new version for 2015. The new “Stang” started making waves before it was even built.
"The buyer response for the 2015 Ford Mustang has been extraordinary," says David Blackwood, Dealer Principal of the Bayford Group in Victoria.
"As soon as Ford announced Mustang was coming to Australia (in December 2013) our phones started ringing. A few customers even made deposits before pricing and specifications were confirmed. I've never seen anything quite like it." Indeed, when the first batch of 500 became available in Europe, they all sold out in 30 seconds!
If you would like to get your hands on one, then be prepared to wait. Put an order in today and you probably won’t see your new car until next June, such is the demand. You won’t even get to see one in the showroom until December.
So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, quite a lot actually. The new Mustang will be available in two variants; the EcoBoost model featuring the all-new twin-scroll turbocharged 2.3L I-4 engine pumping out 310 horsepower, giving you awesome performance (0-100kph in about 5.5seconds) with reduced fuel consumption.
The other option is the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine, putting out a whopping 420 horsepower launching it to 100kph half a second quicker than its smaller sibling.
While sports suspension is an option in the US, all Australian cars will come with the performance pack (stiffer suspension and limited slip diff) as standard.
The technical advancements found in the new Mustang are just as impressive. Keyless entry and push button start is just the beginning. Selectable Drive Modes let you dial in handling dynamics to your liking. The system adjusts its handling and response characteristics for enhanced control in changing conditions. Toggle between “normal”, “snow/wet”, “sport”, and “track”.
Mustang’s SelectShift gives you the thrill of using a manual transmission with the ease of an automatic. Simply toggle the race car-inspired Paddle Shifters on the steering wheel to shift gears up or down, for smooth and effortless gear changes without having to use a clutch.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System (TCS) work in unison to understand changing road conditions and your responses, reducing the risk of skidding, sliding sideways and over- and under-steering in corners. Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) balances brake force between front and rear wheels, while the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) prevents wheels from locking. And Electric Power Assisted Steering lets you adjust your steering effort between comfort, sport and normal.
Inside you’ll find all the creature comforts you’ll ever need. From the fully integrated voice activation system that lets you use your favourite devices while your hands stay firmly on the wheel, satellite navigation system, customisable 8” colour LCD touch screen and rear view camera, to MyKey, where parents can program their key to restrict driving modes that promote good driving habits, the new Ford Mustang looks set to continue the legend. I think Steve McQueen would be impressed, don’t you?
The 2015 Mustang ranges in price from $44,990 for the four-cylinder manual coupe, to $63,990 for the V8 automatic convertible.
