MUSTANG MUSCLE
Iconic pony car even better for 2020
To quote Jeremy Clarkson — “Is it green?”
“Yes. Just look at it.” That might be one way to convince the environmentalists that the new 2020 Ford Mustang V8 GT is perfectly fine for modern driving — but I doubt it.
This is a modern day hot rod, built on the traditions of the original pony car that squeezed an oversized V8 into a compact body.
I drove the Need For Green Mustang V8 GT from Fairview Motors and it isn’t a compact car anymore, although it isn’t a people mover either and it still sits low so getting in and out gracefully requires practice.
It is unlikely the beautiful rear seats will get much use unless very short people are in the front.
But it is an exciting car to drive, it is iconic, it does turn heads and driven nicely doesn’t burn any more fuel than any other larger car or SUV.
The problem might be driving it nicely.
The economy comes thanks to a 10-speed automatic transmission — with paddle shifter manual over-ride.
It puts the 339kW of power and 556Nm of torque from the 5.0L Coyote V8 onto the road via the back wheels as easily as you like.
I heard you can easily break some laws with your foot flat — and still have seven gears left to play with.
And the noise from the V8s quad exhaust is glorious.
The new Mustang has a host of electronic controls — many for safety, which is great because the new Mustang range needed to up its game in this regard from the first models sold here.
But getting back to the electronics, you can set the exhaust note from quiet, which it still isn’t, to ‘track mode’. When you select that it suggests you read the manual.
Another first for a Mustang is the fully digital dash.
The driver can customise gauge layout, colours and information.
It even has options for the 1⁄4 mile drag and lap timing for track work.So it is serious about its sporting heritage — and so it should be.
If the American motoring industry adage ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ is correct, the Mustang should be flying out the door after its amazing successes this year in the V8 Supercar series.
Kiwi Scott McLaughlin is leading the charge across the Tasman in his Mustang GT with 18 race wins, including a controversial win at Bathurst.
He crashed out before the Gold Coast event, forcing his team to built an entire new racecar, which has been completed in time for Mclaughlin to race again this weekend at the Sandown 500.