Bay Harbour: August 10, 2018

Ford Mustang GT
By Ross Kiddie
Ever since Lexus and Mercedes-
Benz launched into a competition
developing gearboxes with an everincreasing
multitude of ratios, I’ve been
asking myself when it is all going to stop.
Just when it looked like nine gears would
end the war, Ford has jumped into the fray
and has developed a 10-speed traditional
torque converter gearbox.
I’m sure that new unit will be made
available through a multitude of models
from the big global company, however,
my first experience with it came by way of
the uprated Ford Mustang.
Mustang has become well established
in New Zealand, and being Ford’s only
large car here, that is no surprise, while
its heritage and tradition makes it most
appealing.
Although its history harks back over 50
years, today’s Mustang feels fresh. Yes,
there is a little bit of a raw, aggressive
edge which, as a driver, makes you relate
to its predecessors.
Today’s Mustang has the widely-acclaimed
5-litre (302 cubic inch) Coyote V8 engine.
However, it can also be purchased with a
turbocharged, 2.3-litre unit which, from
my experience with the Ecoboost fourcylinder
series, would certainly be up
to the task with its 224kW and 441Nm
outputs.
Nevertheless, it’s the V8 that appeals to
me, and I wasn’t disappointed. It pumps
out a hefty 339kW (up 33kW from
previously) along with 556Nm of torque.
In true V8 fashion, it works away with a
tantalising howl and bark out the exhaust
pipes. From the moment it fires you know
you are in for an exciting drive, there is a
constant audible growl.
Drive is channelled through the new,
paddle-shift 10-speeder through to the
rear wheels, and there are no surprises
there; rear-drive has always been the
Mustang configuration, but what it
does do is deliver an involving driving
experience. It is responsive and eager, and
has electronic modes which the driver can
set to personal preference, and there’s
even a track mode if you want to go
drifting in the weekend.
Therein lies a little secret; the Mustang
in this form is quite lively at the rear, it’s
easy to test tyre grip with power on, and
although the traction control systems
are there to intervene, they are noninvasive,
you can initiate oversteer to a
certain level. It’s easy to see why that is
obtainable. With those healthy power
outputs, the ingredients are in place for
adventure.
This is even more so on a wet surface. I
had the evaluation over a filthy Queen’s
Birthday Weekend, and finding a dry road
wasn’t a reality. However, I can report from
my previous experience with Mustang that
it handles superbly; there is a lot of rubber
on the road with its 19in Michelin tyres,
and grip is adequate unless vigorous
throttle application is requested. Up front
the turn-in is decisive, it is directional and
controllable in the tricky corners, there
is just enough mechanical sophistication
within the suspension and chassis design
so that the driver can push hard with
confidence.
The combination of power and handling
is enticing. I left the normal drive setting
active for most of my time in the test car;
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in the wet I didn’t feel it needed anything
more spirited, while the new gearbox
offers a smooth transition of power and
changes which are almost seamless.
The range starts here at $62,990 for the
2.3-litre, bearing in mind there is also
a convertible option that adds around
$5000 for each engine variant. The V8
GT fastback lands at $79,990, and it is
fully specced with Ford’s most up-to-date
technology. One minor item I really like
is the Mustang logo projected downward
from the door mirrors at night, lighting
the way to the vehicle.
Even though it has a good specification,
it’s really a car for just two occupants.
Ford market the Mustang as a 2+2,
and effectively that is what it is; two
youngsters could be seated comfortably
in the rear, but it is not an area which
adults would enjoy being in.
Up front, though, it’s a different story. The
seats are glorious and the suspension
absorbent even over Christchurch’s
broken roads. However, it’s on the
highway where the Mustang excels; it is
a purposeful and capable high-country
charger, and it has just so much appeal it
captures attention everywhere.
For that reason any prospective buyer
had best be prepared to be looked at,
the test car was bright red and had vivid
black stripes over the length of the car, it
drew attention everywhere I took it.
In all forms the Mustang is a real egobooster,
yet it’s also a darn fine car and
with the latest technology, it is truly stateof-the-art.