Kids as young as eight or nine recognised it: "That's the new GT!" Even the old dear drinking tea out front of a café we parked at said the Mustang had been her favourite car since its launch in 1964.
The new car wears its legendary lineage well, evoking memories of the '64 model yet managing to look cool and contemporary at the same time.
The same is true of the feeling you get nestled into the retro-yet-modern cabin. It feels like you imagine an American car from the 'muscle car' era would feel (and sound) like, but suffers none of the sloppy handling and reliability problems of those old cars.
You could live with the GT as a daily driver. It has seats for four – just – a useful boot, touch screen controls, keyless entry and push-button start, and is a proper right-hand drive production car with all the controls on the correct side.
The GT enters the local market as the Ford Falcon is about the bow out. XR8 buyers will have a performance option if they can live with the smaller cabin, and at $77,880 for the GT coupe they won't have to stretch the budget too far (an extra $8000 over the XR8).
They'll get a lot of car for their money. Aside from the killer looks, the GT also has a decent specification level including leather interior, heated and cooled seats, infotainment centre and reversing camera.
And it has a 5.0L V8 pumping out 306kW of normally aspirated power and 530Nm of torque. The engine needs a few revs to really get going, and the output figures won't scare a Commodore SS or Falcon XR8, but they're still decent. And did we mention the sound? Glorious!
The ride and handling of the new Mustang has surprised motor noters the world over because it is -- wait for it -- very good. Gone is the old live rear axle and indifferent
steering. In its place, a compliant and capable chassis that isn't scared of a corner, getting the power down effectively even on a rough old Kiwi back road.
Ford New Zealand has ticked the performance pack option, which includes firmer springs and bushings, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar. It also has the Brembo brakes from the old Shelby GT500 and 275/40 Pirelli p Zero tyres. It's properly good by any standard.
There is a cheaper four cylinder option that is apparently very good and good value too at $57,880.
We expect most buyers will be after the V8 though.
You can imagine the disappointment of the kids, the old dear outside the café and the rest of the gathered crowd waiting to hear the beast fire up, only to hear the same four-pot engine that powers a Mondeo.
This is an icon and it should sound like what the looks are selling.
- ford
- MUSTANG