Let’s face it, if you’re a Brit or any other European and someone admires your new, oh-so-exotic seventh generation Mustang, you’re not going to want it to have a four-cylinder engine. Even one as sophisticated, powerful, torque-laden and economical as the 2.3 EcoBoost.
Buyers almost everywhere else in the world can choose the entry level powertrain but not here: Ford of Europe decided it would only import cars with the other engine: a 5.0-litre V8. Generation six did quite well in Britain, Germany and a couple of other key regional markets but hardly anyone wanted the I4 turbo.
Go deeper with GlobalData
It was therefore, as Americans say, a no-brainer to only offer generation seven with the Coyote V8. A 7,400 rpm redline, no turbochargers in sight and a choice of two short-throw six-speed manual gearboxes show that this is no old-style lazy lump either. Yes, the outputs are down on the US versions – GT and Dark Horse have differing levels of power if identical torque – but these are still gloriously excessive.
Two power outputs, same torque for both
Due to EC-mandated emissions limits, Ford has detuned the Coyote from the original 486 hp (357 kW) and 500 hp (368 kW) to 446 ps (328 kW) and 453 ps (333 kW) for both versions of the same 5.0-litre V8. As for torque, this is 540 Nm (398 lb-ft). These numbers are for the GT and Dark Horse trims respectively. The latter comes exclusively as a coupe while the GT can also be had in convertible form.
All three Mustang variants have manual transmission as standard with the well-known Ford-GM 10-speed torque converter automatic an option. Interestingly, the manual in the GT is supplied by Getrag (Magna Powertrain) while the one in the Dark Horse is sourced from TREMEC.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataBig decklid spoiler for Dark Horse
Ford offered me a choice of cars for my week of petrol-guzzling joy. As there were fond memories of a generation six GT as well as a Bullitt a few years back, the manual GT seemed the best bet. When the car arrived, the lack of body kit or eye-catching paint was a relief. Yes the Dark Horse has a little more power but it’s also somewhat less stealthy.
This new model looks exactly like a Mustang and there’s even a little sticker at the base of the back window containing silhouettes of all seven generations. You won’t see the model name anywhere on the car’s exterior, only some prancing pony logos plus 5.0 badges on the wings.
Three red vertical slashes serve as rear light units, just like on Frank Bullitt’s car. Where are the indicators and hazards, I wondered? Cleverly, the lower parts of said lamps turn orange when relevant.
Long, sweeping digital dashboard
I am trying to decide if the new shape model’s dashboard is an advance over gen six. The double-cowl theme is present but plonked on it is a long, curved digital display. Sunken circular analogue-style read-outs are therefore no more. At least Ford’s SYNC 4 system works beautifully and the test car had no VW-style lagginess. You also get some buttons. Not many, mind.
One quirky thing is an electric parking brake in the shape of a mechanical one. So you pull it up for on and the same for off. There is no button and no click, which at first is confusing. Then you notice the instrument panel lights up, announcing it’s been applied or released. At which point the experience becomes normal.
Ford doesn’t switch the hand brake’s position for RHD so it’s a slightly awkward reach over any drinks bottle(s) in the cupholder(s). This also applies to the start-stop button, positioned on the far-left of the central console. Which means the music volume dial is close to the driver on right-hand cars and therefore a slight stretch for the front passenger. Yes I did say front as the Mustang has space for two in the back. Quite good space in fact.
Made in Michigan, unlike the other Mustang
When it comes to production volumes for the IC and EV Mustangs, Ford built more of the gasoline-powered one last year. The numbers were 56,745 versus 53,910 units of the Mach-E. With the electric crossover being made in Mexico (Cuautitlán) and the coupe/convertible built in Michigan (Flat Rock) who now knows what will happen in 2025?
Really, it remains a strange decision to call the Mach-E a Mustang at all, its character and pretty much everything else being far removed from that of the petrol cars. The GT has superbly precise steering, something the EV lacks but counters that with cushier suspension. And is there any point in even trying to compare the convenience of petrol stations but having to live with 20 to 30 mpg when Mach-E buyers can have 250-290 miles on one charge? I know which car makes the better noise, mind. Plus you have a choice of four exhaust modes, including a quiet one.
Conclusion
As I thought after handing back the key to the Ranger Raptor, the cost of petrol and frequency of needing to refuel are about the only downsides of Mustang GT ownership. It looks gorgeous, the shock of the digital dash soon gives way to acceptance and it’s fine to live with, performance is fantastic, damp roundabouts are capital F Fun and the manual gearbox is perfectly suited to the engine. The old shape model was one of my favourite cars, for the sheer novelty of the thing alone, and this new one is in some ways even better than generation six.
The Ford Mustang range consists of three variants: 446 PS GT Fastback (from GBP58,470), GT Convertible (GBP61,970) and 453 PS Dark Horse Fastback (GBP70,740 manual). Automatic transmission is a GBP2,000 extra for each.
Supercharged special incoming
The GTD is the latest Mustang derivative, though it was first seen during Monterey Week in August 2023. The 800+ horsepower 5.2-litre supercar is coming to Britain later this year. Multimatic, which has been retained to build the low-volume special, produced two in January, none in February and three in March, Ford’s own data reveal. Cars are more or less hand-made at the Canadian firm’s Markham facility in Ontario. This is also where the Ford GT was manufactured.
Also a Mustang but just as different as the GTD is to the existing coupe and convertible, a four-door sedan is said to be coming. Its name is believed to be Mustang Mach 4, renderings reportedly having been shown to US dealers in August 2024.
Someone who was at the same briefing claims that an off-road Mustang was also spoken about, as well as an EcoBoost-powered car called RTR (Ready To Rock). We may hear more about one, two or even all three of these either this year or next.
