SADDLE UP, HOLD ON

Pony up. The 2018 model Ford Mustang sports car will arrive here by August.

Maintaining the mantle as Australia’s most popular sports car in 2017 and remaining Ford’s second most successful model behind the Ranger, the 2018 model Mustang will come with even sportier looks priced from $49,990 plus on-roads.

Prices have increased between $4000-$9000, with Ford adding a range of features to the line-up.

The updated Mustang – distinguished externally by a new nose and revised tail-lights – also gains automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control and a digital widescreen dash display.

Other improvements include new suspension on all models and a bit more grunt for the V8 and four-cylinder engines.

The 5.0-litre V8 will have 339kW of power (up 33kW) and 556Nm of torque (up 26Nm), while the turbo 2.3-litre four-cylinder retains the same 224kW output but torque increases to 441Nm (up 9Nm).

On the V8 there are four exhaust settings, from quiet to track mode.

Options include Recaro seats ($3000), magnetically controlled suspension ($2750) and 19-inch forged-alloy wheels ($2500).

Ford said the changes justified the price increases to the new model.

“It’s not just a mild makeover,” said Ford Australia spokesman Damion Smy.

“The changes to the 2018 Mustang are significant. There’s a lot of new technology inside and out, as well as the new look, and the V8 has significantly more power. Drivers will notice the difference with this car.”

Ford added: “The V8 now has port and direct fuel injection. It’s a two-stage injection system, which is highly advanced, and it’s matched to a new 10-speed paddle-shift auto. The six-speed manual has been revised.”

Ford initially forecast it would sell just 1000 Mustangs in Australia each year – in 2018 the Mustang was the top-selling sports car with more than 9000 sold, an all-time record.

The Mustang tally was more than five times higher than its nearest sports car rival, the Toyota 86.

Despite the arrival of a new model, the Mustang is unlikely to top 9000 sales this year because the 2017 tally included orders carried over from the year before.

Bold exterior colour choices – including all-new signature orange as well as blue and royal crimson – combined with Over the Top (OTT) stripe packages mean enthusiasts can order a Mustang with the look they’re after.