Ford

Mustang/Mach 1

It’s was a long wait but after more than half a century Ford’s muscle car – the mighty Ford Mustang – has finally arrived on European soil.  It made its name in the movies and still features those jaw-dropping good looks, awesome driving dynamics and soundtrack to match.

Test Drive

Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback 5.0 V8 manual (2022)

As we move ever closer to a cleaner, greener motoring industry, cars like the mighty Ford Mustang Mach 1 could become a dying breed and that will be a real shame.

That’s because this track-based Mustang, complete with naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine, delivers all the thrilling driving dynamics associated with performance cars and has a perfectly matching soundtrack too.

It costs about £11k more than the standard Mustang but gains extra power and a number of other styling and engineering revisions. Priced at £56,995 (£57,555 with optional Shadow Black paint) this two-door coupe, with 460PS and 529Nm of torque, can power to 62mph from a standstill in 4.8 seconds and maxes out at 166mph.

Impressive performance stats, but the running costs are not quite so friendly on the pocket with a combined 22.8mpg (if you are very careful) and carbon emissions of 284g/km.

When it comes to styling, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is aggressive, muscular and very difficult to ignore with quite a road presence.

Eye-catching features include a dark grille with the Mustang Pony emblem, distinctive triple tail lamps, sweeping headlights, a sculpted bonnet, four chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, 19-inch Mach 1 alloy wheels and Brembo brake calipers.

The interior is driver-focused and very sporty with powered seats that can be heated or cooled, along with a white cue ball-styled gear knob as featured in the Mustang Bullitt. There are plenty of aluminium trim accents, a neat 12-inch digital dash display, toggle switches, ambient lighting and Mach 1 badging with a unique chassis number on show.

On-board technology includes full smartphone connectivity and Fords SYNC3 Navigation set-up, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, reversing camera and dual-zone climate control.

But bells and whistles aside, this rear-wheel drive Mustang is all about performance and it delivers on all counts. There have been a number of chassis tweaks and there is enhanced engine power making this the fastest Mustang on sale in the UK.

It’s loud, garish and very attention-seeking as it powers through the country lanes. And with the all-new TREMEC six-speed manual transmission there is rev-matching technology for seamless down-shifts.

A MagneRide suspension system enhances both the track and road performance and there is retuned electric power steering with plenty of driver feedback.

The road holding is confident and it’s also a car that eats up motorway miles for fun. There are drive modes called Normal, My Mode, Sport+, Race Track, Drag Strip and Snow/Wet that alter the characteristics of the Mach 1, but there is a problem. You can only toggle through these modes in one direction, so getting from Sport+ back to Normal is a lengthy process.

But that minor gripe aside, the Mach 1 is fabulous fun to drive and although we didn’t venture onto the track, it still oozed class out on the quieter B roads.

There are volume controls for the engine and exhaust note – Loud is deafening and Quiet is still quite raucous to be honest.

The two rear seats inside the Mach 1 slope backwards quite sharply and leg space is very limited in the back. This is the norm in two-seater sports coupes, but the space is ideal for a coat or bag.

The boot can accommodate 408 litres of kit and there are storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin with door bins, a central cubby box with USB port, lockable glovebox, seat back pockets, a pop-out compartment beside the driver’s right knee and cup holders. However, drinking a hot coffee on the fly inside this car is not recommended.

While the Mach 1 does have a considerable list of safety features, including track-specific brakes to slow the car down in a controlled manner, the Mustang did score poorly when tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating.

Some extra kit was added in 2017 and the car was reassessed and its score was increased from two to three stars out of five. But some rivals do a lot better than that even though they will never have the uniqueness the Mustang Mach 1 brings to the mix.

All in all, if this is the Mustang’s 5.0-litre V8 swansong, then it is certainly going out with a bang.

Test Drive

Ford Mustang – first drive (2018)

Rattling on with boundless enthusiasm about a car’s track performance wouldn’t normally be my style, but there’s nothing normal about the Santa Pod race track or the latest Ford Mustang muscle car which now boasts a new ‘Drag Strip’ mode.

The Mustang in 5.0-litre V8 guise also comes with additional firepower delivering 450PS which is an increase of 38PS and it can be mated to a new super-slick 10-speed Selectshift auto gearbox which results in a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.3 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph.

The world-renowned Santa Pod raceway was established in 1966 and over the years has built up a reputation as one of the very best global venues for drag racing. So, what better place to try out the all-new ‘Drag Strip’ mode on the Mustang? We were paired up against colleagues and lined up at the start line with the revs topping the 2,000rpm mark and left foot firmly planted on the brake pedal (which is most unnatural in an automatic).

Then as the series of lights changed to green we blasted down the track at breath-taking pace, foot down on the throttle and hands gripped firmly on the steering wheel to ensure it stayed as straight as an arrow. The gear shifts sent another surge of power through the car and the 100mph marker was soon surpassed with the finishing line some way ahead.

My time was a fraction over 13 seconds for a distance of a quarter of a mile. So, in conclusion, it would be fair to say the ‘Drag Strip’ mode works rather effectively.

But track antics aside, the new Mustang really is the complete package and even has an attractive price-tag for such a beautifully styled car with the lower-powered 2.3-litre EcoBoost models costing from £36,645. Move up to the mighty 5.0l V8 GT and the cost rises to £41,745.

The facelift Mustang looks more dynamic thanks to a number of subtle styling upgrades and it is available in 11 colours including Orange Fury which is accounting for about a third of sales so far. Other enhancements include a lower bonnet with integrated scoops, a revised grille, a front splitter and new light clusters that now includes the tri-bar effect LEDs as standard. At the rear the lights have also been revamped and the bumper has been tweaked. There are also some elegant new wheel designs to choose from.

Move inside the car and the main upgrade of note is the instrumentation cluster. There is a cutting-edge new 12-inch digital display that replaces the outgoing traditional dial set-up and this can be configured according to the selected drive mode. There is the new Drag Strip mode as I mentioned earlier but there is also a Quiet mode which means you can leave your house early in the morning and return home late at night without causing a dispute with your neighbours.

In total there are six driving modes called Normal, Snow/Wet, Sport, Track, Drag Strip and My Mode. The latter is also new to Mustang buyers who can select their own preferred settings for performance, driving dynamics and exhaust sound.

In addition, there’s a wealth of techno treats to explore such as Ford’s SYNC 3 eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a nine-speaker sound system with DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, dual zone air conditioning and lots more besides.

Our car featured a number of options that resulted in the cost increasing from £41,165 to £47,255. These included a Shaker Pro 12-speaker premium audio system, sat nav, Recaro seats and the impressive MagneRide adaptive suspension system (£1,600 extra) which offers improved control across uneven road surfaces and advanced traction on twisting country lanes.

As well as driving the Mustang at Santa Pod we took the car on an extensive road route that included plenty of long winding country lanes where it could be unleashed a little. We were driving the 5.0l V8 model with six-speed manual gearbox and this is the car for anyone who gets their kicks from adrenaline rushes. The road holding was ultra grippy and the steering beautifully precise so bends really could really be attacked with confidence and it’s on these types of roads where the new MagneRide set-up comes into its own offering improved body control.

Despite its size, the Mustang proved deceptively nimble as it weaved through busy traffic, although it’s worth noting that extra care is necessary as the rather small windows limit all-round visibility a little. Motorway driving is effortless and actually quite relaxed with surprisingly good comfort levels. This is achieved thanks to six-way powered seats to help find the perfect driving position and that means long journeys can be completed without any moans and groans as you exit the car.

Although storage options will never be that great on this style of car, the boot can cater for 408 litres of luggage and there is a glovebox, door bins and convenient cubby holes scattered throughout the car.

It might sound like the Mustang is the best car ever with outstanding driving capabilities and a booming exhaust and engine soundtrack to match, but it’s not without its flaws.

For example, some of the switchgear feels flimsy and there is some hard plastic that rather disappointingly lowers the standard a little. Rear passenger space will be reserved for your worst enemies as it is so limited and then there’s the day-to-day running costs. Combined fuel economy on the test car was 22.7mpg, although in reality the figure will likely be below 20mpg and carbon emissions are high at 277g/km.

Also, on a negative note, the Mustang scored poorly when it was tested for its Euro NCAP rating gaining just two out of a possible five stars, although Ford has introduced a raft of safety improvements to address that.

But at the end of the day, gripes aside, there are few cars that look, sound and drive as well as the Ford Mustang. Then there is that very enticing price-tag and for that reason sales are soaring. There have been 6,000 Mustangs sold in the UK since its launch here in 2015 and the car in 5.0-litre guise was the top-selling V8 sports car in Britain last year. Factor in the additional power, revised styling tweaks and improved handling and the Mustang’s popularity is sure to increase even further.

Test Drive

Ford Mustang – first drive

We’re only just getting over all the glitz, razzmatazz and fanfares that the Oscars bring, but to top it all one star straight from the movies has just landed in the UK and it’s already proving a big box office success.

Over the years, the Ford Mustang muscle car has taken centre stage in blockbuster films such as Bullitt, Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Gone in 60 Seconds but for the first time in its 50 year history it’s arrived on European shores and most importantly in right-hand-drive format for the UK.

Sales have already blasted through the 3,500 mark and after a day in the company of the Mustang line-up I can fully understand why. After all, there are very few cars that feature such drop-dead-gorgeous styling at such a reasonable price.

There are two formats to the sixth generation model – fastback or convertible – and they have equal appeal with sensational styling, exquisite handling capabilities and all the grunt and gusto you could wish for.

There is a choice of two engines. Firstly the more economical 2.3-litre EcoBoost version priced from £30,495 with combined economy of 35.3mpg, emissions of 179g/km, a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.8 seconds and top speed of 145mph.

Then there is the all-singing, all-dancing 5.0-litre V8 421PS version with its 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.8 seconds and top speed of 155mph. This car is priced from £35,995 and can deliver combined economy of up to 23.5mpg with emissions from 281g/km.

The Mustang is available with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. And customers wanting the wind-in-the-hair experience can expect to pay an additional £4k-£5k for convertible models.

So on to the car’s head-turning good looks. Ford describes it as a ‘car that will make you feel alive’ and that perfectly sums up the Mustang. There is the exceptionally long bonnet, traditional shark-bite front bumper, a trapezoidal grille, strong side lines, muscular haunches and raked roofline. It’s perfectly proportioned from every angle and features sweeping headlight clusters, Brembo front brakes and striking tri-bar LED tail lights. It’s simply a car you can’t walk passed without stopping and admiring.

Move inside and the interior oozes sporting prowess. The body-hugging seats are both supportive and comfortable and all the instrumentation is clear and ideally positioned for ease of use. It’s tight for back seat passengers but that’s the norm for this type of vehicle.

On-board technology includes Ford’s 8-inch colour touchscreen with a 9-speaker sound system along with SYNC 2 connectivity to link up multi-media devices. There is Bluetooth, a rearview camera and gadgetry galore to be explore. On the downside there is a fair amount of cheaper materials incorporated into the dashboard and glovebox area but this is quickly dismissed when you take into account the asking price. And on some models the sat nav is an optional extra too costing £795 which also adds a pitch perfect 12-speaker Shaker Pro Premium audio system.

There are selectable drive modes operated via toggle switches in the centre console and these can be used to adjust the electronic stability control, automatic gear-shift patterns, throttle responses and steering to match Normal, Sport+, Track or Snow/Wet settings. There are also options to adjust the weight and feel of the steering.

We had the opportunity to test drive three models. The first two were powered by the mighty 5.0-litre V8 engine – one was the fastback and the other the convertible. And both cars were a true pleasure to drive.

The acceleration through the automatic gears was blisteringly quick and completely effortless, yet it remained controlled at all times. Corners could be taken with confidence at pace and the steering was beautifully precise. You can expect to feel some bumps and dips along the way, the noise can be very loud and at times you really do have to remember to breathe!

The soft top on the Convertible can be folded away in a matter of seconds and somehow this car is the perfect model when the sun puts in an appearance. It is also well insulated against any outside noise with the roof closed. The boot capacity of 332 litres is slightly less than that of the Fastback (408 litres), but the reduction is not too much of a compromise.

Our final test car was in the lesser powered 2.3 EcoBoost model with manual gearbox. Admittedly, it didn’t have quite the fire-power of its bigger sibling, but it still delivers an exciting and thrilling driving experience. And of course, there will be less trips to fill up (if driven cautiously!)

All in all, apart from imported models and some rather poor imitations, we Brits have missed out on the beauty and thrills of the Ford Mustang. But that has all changed and it’s a move that will be welcomed by motorists up and down the country who appreciate finer things in life including cars that simply love to be driven.