Ford Mustang
provides suede-effect Alcantara door and seat inserts, plus a carbon fibre instrument panel surround and gear knob.
Leather trimmed heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel are offered across the range for the first time and customers who opt for the leather Recaro racing seat option can select from three colours.
Two engines are available and both have been tweaked and improved to provide greater performance and slightly better economy.
Both can be had with a choice of a nice 10-speed automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual.
The more fuel-efficient 2.3litre EcoBoost engine delivers 290ps and can deliver a claimed 31.4mpg on the combined cycle with a top speed of 145mph. Emissions are rated at 209g/km.
It takes just 5.8 seconds to reach 62mph with the manual gearbox and 5.5 seconds with the automatic. It feels smooth and more refined than before and packs enough punch for most drivers.
If you want the ultimate in performance go for the superb 5.0litre V8 which has been developed to give 450ps and will fire you to 62mph in just 4.3 seconds before going on at a rush to a limited top speed of 155mph.
It is simply exhilarating to drive and makes a wonderful noise that can be appreciated in the Fastback or Convertible. There is nothing quite like it and as for economy who cares?
The new Mustang is also equipped with Launch Control to improve its off-the-line performance and engineers have worked hard on the stuff you don’t see to improve the car’s handling and I certainly felt the benefits on the twisting roads of the French Riviera.
Two new Drive Modes - Drag Strip Mode and My Mode - join Normal, Sport, Track and Snow/Wet Modes, to offer more choice and personalisation in how the car performs.
My Mode enables drivers to select their own preferred settings for performance, dynamics and even the sound of the exhaust.
Ford has also added more driver assist features to improve the car’s overall safety. These include PreCollision Assist with Pedestrian Detection,Adaptive Cruise Control and Distance Alert, Departure Warning and a Lane Keeping Aid.
More than 33,000 Mustangs have found there way on to European roads in the last couple of years and 7,000 were sold in the UK during the last 12 months.
This new model is sure to increase the numbers with prices starting at £35,595 for the 2.3 Fastback with the manual transmission and £37,595 for the automatic. The Cabriolet with the smaller engine costs from £39,495.
The V8 starts at £41,095 with manual transmission and the 10-speed automatic adds an extra £2,000. The Cabriolet costs from £44,595 as a manual and from £46,595 with the automatic gearbox.
No European model can compete on looks or performance for the same kind of money.
Good news for Mustang fans is that a special edition Mustang Bullitt variant inspired by the iconic Steve McQueen movie will be on sale later this year to mark the film’s 50th anniversary.