Ford Mustang
In Europe, horses prance on the bonnets of supercars. In America, they gallop. This is the macho attitude that has made Ford's Mustang one of the most enduring motoring legends. But the famous pony cars have never successfully crossed the Atlantic... until now.
It might not be modern, sophisticated or particularly capable dynamically, but the latest Mustang has bags of appeal. The Convertible is roomy and fast, with a barely believable price tag in the US. Drivers will never tire of the V8's growl, and only the 17mpg fuel economy could deter buyers here. If the price can be kept low, the Mustang would be a welcome addition to Ford's UK line-up.
In Europe, horses prance on the bonnets of supercars. In America, they gallop. This is the macho attitude that has made Ford's Mustang one of the most enduring motoring legends. But the famous pony cars have never successfully crossed the Atlantic... until now.
Ford's UK bosses have brought over the brand new 300bhp GT Convertible to see how the latest-generation Mustang is received in Britain. Auto Express took the wheel to find out just what the Stateside stallion has to offer.
The first thing blue oval designers are to be congratulated on is the new model's looks. While recent Mustangs have been bland and forgettable, the latest version looks to the past for inspiration. It is not pretty, but it is got more aggression and purpose in its muscular lines than any other car in its class. The straight and simple flanks look even better in convertible form, especially with the plain black hood tucked away behind the rear seats.
But this Mustang is not only about being seen - it is about being heard as well. Under the bonnet, the top-of-the-range GT version comes with a 4.6-litre V8 powerplant delivering 300bhp and emitting the kind of throaty wail that stops people in their tracks.
Passers-by had better look around quickly, too, as the Ford is genuinely fast. Fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, the flagship V8 charges from 0-60mph in a little over five seconds, and goes on to a top speed of 143mph.
While the transmission is smoother and easier to use than that of the Vauxhall Monaro, it is still way behind the likes of Porsche or even Mazda. The ratios themselves are also very tall - in fifth gear, 70mph equates to just over 2,000rpm - which makes the huge engine feel lazy and unresponsive.
Rather than high-speed track driving, the drop-top is more at home cruising along in comfort, and this is reflected in the suspension. Drive through a tight corner and the soft set-up is alarming at first, but after the initial wallow of body roll the Mustang has plenty of grip - although if you hit a mid-corner bump, a lack of rigidity also causes some body flex. The V8 has enough power to cause rear tyres to lose grip, yet few drivers will find the Convertible intimidating in the dry.
And the Mustang is best enjoyed in the sunshine. After unclipping two catches, the hood folds back electrically. The process takes around 20 seconds, but fitting the manual cover is far more fiddly. The good news is that boot space is unaffected, even if there is only room for a couple of light bags.
Driver and passengers fare better than luggage, however. Considering the Mustang's vast dimensions, it is no surprise that it offers four seats, and even adults can get comfortable in the rear. Everyone sits on soft leather, but some of the other trim will be too familiar to drivers of Ford's family cars. Aside from the retro dials and silver-finished dashboard, much of the remaining switchgear is lifted straight from a Mondeo.
However, buyers are unlikely to feel short-changed. In the US, the GT model is priced at only £15,859, with the base V6 at a ridiculous £10,456. If the Convertible makes it to the UK it would cost more, but Ford could still undercut V8 rivals. Will the latest pony car be a success here? We wouldn't bet against it.
