Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 53

F

ord gave Mustang a major
rework in 2018 and produced
the car it should have when it
launched the fi rst factory right
hand drive model in 2015.
In response to the criticism
that the original model was too
stiff over bumps, Ford engineers
retuned the suspension and
fi tted better shock absorbers.
Magnetically-controlled shock
absorbers, which improve comfort
even further, are a $2750 option.
On the V8, a switch to Michelin
Pilot Sport rubber from the
previous Pirelli P Zeros also aids
cushioning over bumps.
Welcome news to V8 fans,
Ford fi tted a louder bi-modal
exhaust, which, at the press of a
button, transforms the Mustang
from hush quiet to 1970s
muscle-car loud.
The V8 also gained 33kW to
339kW, while the 2.3-litre’s
power is trimmed from 233kW
to 224kW.
The digital dash has four
display modes, from traditional
layouts to race-car-inspired
designs. The car itself also
has a choice of modes, from

comfort and normal to sport and

track, which changes throttle

response, steering feel and the

stability control calibration.

Prices kick off at $49,990 for

the 2.3-litre Fastback six-speed

manual. The automatic adds $3000

and the auto convertible is $59,490.

The 5.0-litre GT Fastback

manual is $63,290, the auto is

$66,290 and the auto convertible

is $74,728.

Ford has obviously given

GT’s drivetrain electronics

a huge boost in processing

power, because the 10-speed

automatic works effi ciently and

intuitively with the 5.0-litre V8.

Closely-spaced lower ratios

allow the V8 to mimic a turbo’s

bottom-end fl exibility, and it

will pull 10th gear at 100km/h

ticking over at 1650rpm.

At the other end of the

tacho, from 5000rpm and up,

performance is explosive,

supremely responsive and

rocket quick – as in a claimed

4.3 seconds from 0-100km/h,

half a second quicker than the

previous model with the six-

speed auto. Seat of the pants

says that’s pretty accurate.

Under pressure in Sport+ mode,

the 10-speed picks gears with near

faultless timing and impressive

smoothness considering the

massive torque involved. Paddles

are also provided.

Pre-programmed drivetrain/

steering/suspension/exhaust

modes range from Normal to

Dragstrip, or you can mix and

match to make your own “My

Mode,” accessed via the pony

button on the steering wheel.

Fuel consumption is horrifi c,

of course, and you can empty

the 61 litre tank in under

300km. Expect 20L/100km or so

in town, and about half that on

the highway.

Mustang is still a big, heavy

(1784kg) car, but it now drives

with Germanic tautness rather

than the usual American sloth.

It points immediately and

accurately into a corner, assisted

by sharp, tactile steering and

wide (255/40) front rubber.

The body stays fl at and

well-balanced when changing

direction, it’s communicative

and controllable under power,

and six-piston front Brembo

brake calipers, on 380mm

discs, pull it up with authority.

You could have lots of fun with

this at a track.

The Mustang Bullitt is

priced at $73,688. With just

700 available, they’re probably

all spoken for by now -- no

wonder, with a 345kW version

of the 5.0-litre under the

bonnet, a six-speed manual

and, of course, a cue ball gear

lever knob, just like Steve’s

(McQueen, that is).

The Mustang GT is an

absolute bargain compared

with the locally-converted HSV

Chevrolet Camaro, which costs

$86,990. It has no other direct

V8 coupe rival.

FORD MUSTANG FROM $49,990

THINGS WE LIKE

 Still great value

 The 10-speed auto turns the V8 into

a jet

 The suspension rework has worked

wonders

 The V8 fi nally sounds the business

 The digital dash brings the future to

a classic design

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

 Turning circle is huge

 Visibility not ideal in any direction

 2.3-litre still sounds like a vacuum

cleaner

 Ford could have done more to

improve the safety score for front

and rear occupants rather than just

adding external technology

SPEX (GT auto)

 Made in the USA

 5.0-litre V8 petrol/10-speed

automatic/rear-wheel drive

 339kW of power at 6500rpm/556Nm

of torque at 4250rpm

 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds (claimed)

 9.0L/100km highway; 19.3L/100km

city; 98 premium; CO2 emissions

are 290g/km

 Warranty: Five years/unlimited km

 Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, autonomous emergency

braking, adaptive cruise, lane

keeping assist, leather upholstery,

heated and cooled front seats, LED

headlights with auto high beam,

SYNC3 infotainment with Bluetooth,

navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android

Auto, digital instruments, 19-inch

alloys

 Redbook future values: 3yr: 54%;

5yr: 38%

Safety

ANCAP

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Chevrolet Camaro, Chrysler 300 SRT