2nd Ford Mustang

Muscular V8 engine gives Mustang Convertible character, but it trails S5 in too many areas

WHEN the Mustang arrived in the UK in right-hand-drive form in 2015, buyers loved its all-american attitude and surprisingly low price point. But over the years the price has risen to the point that this V8 auto Convertible version is within touching distance of an Audi S5, an altogether more upmarket car.

That’s not to say the Ford has lost it way, because it still offers something unique in the UK: a hairy-chested V8 driving experience, handsome looks and rear-wheel-drive handling.

History tells us American sports cars are fast in a straight line and hopeless in corners, but the latest Mustang ignores that. Thanks to independent suspension at all four corners that has been revised for this facelift, the Ford handles more like a sports car should. Plus, with optional Magneride adaptive dampers fitted (£1,600), it rides smoothly enough in town in its softer mode.

But as you increase the pace the ride starts to falter, particularly in corners when the chassis is loaded up. The rear suspension is slightly too stiff, so any mid-corner bumps tend to upset the platform. You can feel the Mustang flex more than the Audi does, too. Bumps in the road send shudders through the interior, rattling the Convertible’s cheap-feeling cabin.

However, there’s performance to match the Audi here, and more character. In our 0-60mph sprint tests, both cars managed an impressive 5.0-second time, but the manner in which they achieve that couldn’t be more different. The Ford lacks the S5’s traction and lights up its rear tyres with its 444bhp 5.0-litre V8, and although Drag Strip driving mode does its best to optimise the sprint, you can feel it fighting for traction. The Audi launches with ferocity, yet never once feels anything but stuck to the road surface.

The S5’s fast-shifting auto box also contributes to that contrast, because the Mustang’s 10-speed auto holds it back. It’s not the biggest hindrance to performance, but it’s slower to shift and has too many ratios. Using the shift paddles sometimes feels more like a suggestion than a command, because the box changes up or down when it feels ready, rather than when you ask it to. With 10 gears available, you find yourself more often in the wrong ratio than the right one.

But the Mustang makes up for that with its rumbling V8, which is one of the most enjoyable engines on sale in any modern car. It dominates the driving experience, with fantastic straightline performance and an incredible soundtrack.