Is still a true

paying though, and the performance that you’re getting for it.

Talking of which, Ford has given the Mustang’s engines a bit of a tweak, too. The 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost, which for me has no place in the Mustang, has been retuned to give more torque at the expense of a few horsepower, and the 5.0-litre V8 has had its power increased from 415bhp to 444bhp.

This is the same power output as BMW’S Competition Pack M4 that costs several tens of thousands more than the Mustang.

The majority of customers choose the V8 model, and fourfifths buy the fastback rather than the convertible, with a small preference for the manual gearbox. Three choices that I would make if I was buying one.

That’s especially so since we drove both the automatic and manual versions. The automatic is new to the car and has 10 gears to the outgoing car’s six. It’s a traditional torque convertor automatic rather than a double-clutch or robotised manual, and while it’s smoother and more efficient than the old six-speeder, it seems never to know which gear it wants to be in. Its ability to miss out several ratios on purpose – which can see it go from second to sixth seamlessly – actually spoils the driving experience.

One day, cars like the Mustang won’t exist. Ford is already working on an electric version and I can’t see the naturally aspirated V8 engine being around for many more years. Already it’s one of the Slick, fast, well made, but no more fun than the Mustang – and costs an extra 20 grand. Very desirable 4wd super coupe, but very different in character (and price) to the Ford.

Like the Ford it’s simple, straightforward fun. Gives you a bit more quality but nothing else for the extra money. few non-turbocharged high performance V8 motors on sale today. For me it’ll be a black armband occasion.

I love the Mustang. I loved the original one that lived a few doors down when I was a kid and I love the current one.

We had our Fury Orange test car for a week, I put a lot of petrol in it (but managed an impressive 31mpg on a run) and loved every burbling minute.

As thousands of happy Mustang owners will tell you, you simply doesn’t find this much firepower and excitement anywhere else.

Instrument panel is now slick, modern and all digital