CROWD PLEASER

RTR IS HERE, READY TO REVIVE A BLUE-OVAL CLASSIC

If Mercedes-AMG’s slick E63 is the nuanced, set-piece laden comedy of Jerry Seinfield, then that bloke who smashes watermelons with a sledge hammer is definitely the Ford Mustang.

And that’s not a critique — the world needs loose units like Gallagher, like the Mustang. It’s why Ford’s eternal pony car has grown so popular on the shores of Aotearoa.

The Ford Mustang S-550 is going to go down in history as the first example of the breed that stamped its authority on the world — opening itself up to markets such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for the first time in a righthand drive format.

And, with three years on the clock, the S-550’s first crucial refresh is just around the corner.

But first, it’s a good time for a walk down memory lane to reunite with the car that kicked it all off.

Only, there’s something different about this one. A new matte black stripe follows the car’s belt line — mirrored and framed by a black ground-effects package, rear spoiler, diffuser, and angular 20-inch Tech 7 shoes.

Turn it on, and the roar of Ford’s 5-litre Coyote V8 sounds different. It’s tighter, more focused, louder.

And at the front, a pair of twin LED nostrils flare up like a furious bull. Or pony, I suppose.

Innocently poised between those nostrils is a quiet little blacked-out badge that says ‘RTR’. You’ll also find it on the wings, and sprawled across the boot lid — black on black, matte on gloss.

Ready To Rock is an American tuning group co-owned by Vaughn Gittin jnr and Ian Stewart; the former a global drifting superstar, the latter a Kiwi and one of the biggest names in US tuning design. This is their first road-car project, and it’s available to Kiwis as a multi-stage upgrade for the first-gen S-550 Mustang.

We were thrown the keys to this; a White Platinum Spec 2 GT RTR — the middle child of the range, with Spec 1 representing an exterior package, and the Spec 3 representing something much naughtier.

Sold out of CTB Performance & Accessories in Manukau, a new Spec 2 GT will negotiate a spot on your driveway for $102,605.

However, those who already own an S-550 Mustang GT can get the kit fitted for $27,025. Not bad, given they’ll only build 10.

Let’s talk engines. This Spec 2 includes a Ford Performance engine upgrade that bumps performance to 340kW and

569Nm of torque — an increase of 35kW and 39Nm respectively over standard figures. Opt for a Spec 3, and your Coyote V8 is bestowed with a supercharger, helping power soar to around

500kW.

That sounds like a fist full of fun, but the level of grunt provided at Spec 2 is more than adequate for those who want drive their Mustang regularly. The added power is noticeable over the standard car (achieving the