THAT pay rise you were promised, the revolutionary 12-week fat-blasting diet and a politician’s policies all have one thing in common; until you actually see results, the intent and promises are worthless. And the same goes for Ford.
Following the announcement that the Falcon nameplate would be killed off, coinciding with the end of local manufacturing this year, the Blue Oval attempted to soften the blow by promising a new look for the brand and a brighter future.
According to the company, a new One Ford global approach would see more internationally sourced sporty models finding their way Down Under than ever before, and while we have been treated to some excellent hot hatchbacks in the meantime, Australia is still waiting for the flagship. Well the wait is over.
For the first time in its 50-year history, the Ford Mustang is on sale in Australia in factory right-hand drive – except it isn’t, because such was the excitement and anticipation for the model that all 4000 2016 cars sold out before the first examples had even rolled off the US production line.
If you want a sixth-generation Mustang you will have to wait at least one year until the 2017 wave arrives.
Some customers reportedly flew to America where the car launched in 2014 to sample the goods before placing a local order, but most owners were effectively flying blind – a huge vote of confidence from the Australian public, but was the risk worth it?
As the 4000 first-fleet Mustangs slowly trickle out to their new homes around the country, their owners are gradually realising that they have snapped up one of the automotive bargains of the decade.
If you were one of the pony car fans that considered putting a deposit down but couldn't quite justify the wait or risk, then call the farrier, have them fit you with a draught horse-sized shoe and prepare to kick yourself.
Apologies to all those dedicated classic Mustang owners, but we have never fully warmed to the first five generations. The combination of unrefined engineering and brash American styling that became increasingly steroid-pumped over the years was esoteric in the extreme, but when we first drove the sixth-gen car at its US launch we immediately fell in love.
Its design is both aggressive and imposing as a Mustang should be, but thanks to the careful work of Bosnian-born designer Kemal Curic, the new version manages a level of finesse and sophistication – elegance even, drawing inspiration from the most American of things; the Coca Cola bottle.
“The Coke bottle is the absolute perfect shape – it’s like the woman’s body, but the Coke bottle is more politically correct,” he told GoAuto.
Balancing the right amount of restraint for the European, Japanese and Australian markets, while retaining the vital muscle for its longstanding US ‘Stang aficionados must have been an almost impossible task.
But then we come to the critical oily bits, which were also charged with the task of appealing to an impossibly wide audience. Here too, Ford has excelled.
A Mustang simply wouldn’t be a Mustang without a thunderous V8 under the bonnet and Ford has obliged with the GT, which is fitted with a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated bent eight, producing 306kW and 530Nm.
As you might expect, the result is a driving experience guaranteed to plaster a smile on your face that will last weeks. Its V8 is no iron pushrod dinosaur and thanks to all-alloy construction, four overhead camshafts with sophisticated ignition, induction and valve timing, torque is delivered close to idle, while power builds exponentially toward the redline.
Of course, the soundtrack is pure Hollywood and glorious, but unlike some Mustangs past, the new version isn’t all bark.
For the first time since its introduction, the Mustang now has an independent rear suspension set-up range-wide, and in combination with the wider use of lightweight materials its chassis is razor-sharp.
There are few coupes with such a sweet and direct turn-in, bolstered by superb front to rear balance, steering feel and true sportscar driving position.
But what if you simply don’t have the budget to run a hulking eight-cylinder (13.1L/100km) or live in a nation such as Japan or the UK where fuel prices are about double Australia’s, but have fallen for the Mustang’s allure and charm?
Perhaps we can interest you in the second of the two 2016 Mustang engine options and the EcoBoost?
With four-cylinders, 2.3-litres and a turbocharger, the Mustang EcoBoost packs a 233kW/423Nm punch while only using 8.5 litres of fuel per 100km, but here is the best part; with around 45 fewer kilograms riding on the front axle and a kerb weight of 1666kg, the EcoBoost is even more wonderful to throw at corners.
Haul some pony rump into a sweeping bend and the EcoBoost will talk you through from entry through apex to exit with more information through its steering and the seat of your pants than Google’s cookie file.
But we know what you are thinking. How could any discerning Mustang owner hold their head high and say they bought the one with half the correct number of cylinders?
There is no denying that there is something a little unsettling about a Mustang with a turbo four-pot and despite Ford’s efforts to pipe an enhanced sound through the stereo, the EcoBoost certainly falls short on noise, but Ford’s Mustang project chief engineer Carl Widman has a solution.
The Mustang’s champion and avid tuning enthusiast told GoAuto that the EcoBoost has huge tuning potential and Ford is looking at a range of either OEM upgrade kits or endorsed aftermarket parts from Ford tuning specialist Roush.
“We are always looking at it and trying to work out what makes sense,” said Mr Widman. “The Roush team is very tied into what we do. I can help them design things and then they can bring it to market cheaper than I can.
“The ones we think we can offer globally are the ones I am interested in because, since we have launched into all these markets we need to stay fresh in all these markets.”
You could also chose your own tuning solution as many already have in the US such as the examples from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
“At SEMA, what people were doing is getting a slightly bigger turbo, open air inlet, totally different charge cooler, a chip to go with it and a high-flow exhaust. They were advertising in the range of up to 350 (horsepower – 261kW at the wheels),” Mr Widman said.
With that kind of power, the EcoBoost would far exceed the output of the Cosworth-tuned Ford Focus RS which shares the 2.3-litre engine, and could seriously embarrass owners of the eight-cylinder GT.
And the sound? Well Mr Widman has a suggestion for that too. “The reason the SEMA guys have a market is because it will sound so different. The systems they sell, they call ‘fart pants’. We wouldn’t sell it that way.”
Want one? Well we haven’t even got to the best bit yet. How much would you pay for a sports coupe with angel-and-devil looks, potent performance in either engine offering and an outstanding road manner?
We aren’t horsing around when we tell you that the GT starts at $57,490 before on-road costs and the EcoBoost is an almost unbelievable $45,990. Get your orders in fast because the 2017 Mustang has had its rump slapped and it won't corralled for long.
Ford promised it would give us something special but the 2016 Mustang is not just special, it is historic.
Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au
Protect your Mustang. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.
