Facelifted Mustang thoroughbred

A facelifted Hyundai i20 goes on sale this week with a new front grille and bumpers. Of more relevance is a new 7-speed dual clutch transmission that’s available with the 1.0-litre 100bhp petrol engine, plus improved connectivity that sees all models now fitted with a 7in display with DAB radio and smartphone mirroring. Lane assist, driver attention alert and autonomous emergency braking are standard on all versions from SE upwards. COSMETIC surgery just for the sake of it is always a little unnerving.

I’m sure Ford’s sales and marketing people thought it was necessary to take the knife to the Mustang for the 2018 model year, but I – and the 6,000 people who have already bought a Mustang – would disagree.

That’s a significant number and makes me wonder why Chevrolet has never taken the plunge and built a right-hand-drive Corvette.

The Mustang’s facelift sees the bonnet being lowered, meshcovered air-intakes added, the headlamps redesigned to be more aggressive and the front splitter more squared off.

Small visual changes that don’t make the car any better looking, but thankfully don’t spoil it either.

Inside, you’ll immediately spot a new instrument panel that is now entirely digital. As you scroll through the various driving modes, one of which is a launch control called Drag Strip, the presentation of the information changes colour and graphically too.

Drag Strip mode, for example, Ford Mustang GT

5.0-litre, V8, 444bhp 4.6sec

22.8mpg

gives you a ‘Christmas tree’ stack of numbers. It moves the car on from the classic analogue speedo and rev counter while looking slick and modern.

The Mustang’s interior is still pretty plasticky compared to European and Japanese cars – and that goes for many American performance cars like the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger.

Just remember the price you’re