Chapter One In The Post Local Manufacturing Jigsaw Is In-Place
A spectacular all-new car deserves a spectacular introduction and Ford gave the all-new 2015 Mustang a star turn at Sydney’s Technology Park as the bell struck midnight.
The timing was because Sydney joined New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Shanghai and Barcelona in a world-wide live television hook-up as Ford pulled-out all stops for the sixth generation of its automotive icon which launched the American ‘Muscle Car’ movement back in 1964.
But don’t rush to you local Ford dealer just yet. Yes the all-new Mustang is confirmed for Australia - pleasingly in both Fastback and Convertible models - but right-hand-drive production is still some way off.
Mustang’s return to Australia is the first chapter of Ford’s new life in Australia after local manufacturing ceases in 2016. “This is the start of the next 100 years for Ford in Australia,” Ford Australia chief Bob Graziano told the audience in Sydney.
The iconic ‘Pony Car’ in fourth generation guise was last sold here just over a decade ago – a limited production run in conjunction with Tickford Engineering as then Ford Australia CEO Geoff Polities sought to fight-off the all-new Holden Monaro.
Car Showroom was part of the massive media crush in Sydney and what we saw was an all-new Mustang which - while faithful to its predecessors and traditional buyers - has looks, specifications and proportions appropriate for its new, global audience. But let’s not beat around the bush here – the all-new Mustang looks spectacular inside and out, with just the right cues to previous generations but is altogether modern and loaded with technology and features demanded by today’s buyers.
Same for the powertrain – yep there’s a five-litre V8, but, in accordance with the dictates of 2013 new car buyers, there’s also a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Mustang will also be available with a 3.7-litre V6 engine in international markets, but not ‘Downunder’.
Drive is to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic (the latter with steering wheel paddle-shifters for sequential manual changes). Definite specifications for Australian Ford Mustangs haven’t been finalized but for the V8, we’re told to expect 313kW of power at 6500rpm and peak torque of 529Nm at 4250 rpm. The turbocharged four-cylinder should be good for 227kW at 5500rpm and maximum torque of 407Nm between 2500-4500rpm.
As the all-new Mustang heads to new markets in Asia and Europe, Ford’s chassis engineering team knew a significant up-shift in driving dynamics was required. So underneath you find a new front perimeter sub-frame and new double ball-joint McPherson strut layout while the rear sees an all-new ‘integral-link’ independent design with lightweight aluminium rear knuckles.
Mustangs powered by the 5.0-litre V8 score larger Brembo brakes and different wheels (19x9.0-inch front and 19x9.5-inch rears for the V8, 19x9.0-inch all-round for the turbo four).
We especially liked what we saw inside the all-new Ford Mustang convertible which was wheeled-out in Sydney – like the Fastback, strictly a four-seater. For starters there was a brand-new colour scheme in dark tan leather (very European), superbly shaped sports seats and more space than previous generations.
Instrumentation too was contemporary and very effective. Naturally technology ramps-up with safety items like Blind Spot Information System and selectable drive modes plus infotainment and connectivity availability including FordSync and MyColour gauges.
But this far out from launch it’s the all-new Ford Mustang’s looks which will define discussions and bloggers until we get a chance to drive it. And, for the record, having seen the Mustang in the metal, we love it.
The clean-sheet design on the one hand presents a thoroughly modern twist on the hallmark shark-nose front end, tri-bar tail-lights, long, sculptured bonnet and short rear-end. But on the other (and perhaps the most talked-about aspect at the unveiling) the all-new model adopts new, narrow LED headlights which provide a break from the usual Mustang look.
With a lower roof height, wider rear fenders and track, the all-new Mustang looks lower and wider than previous generations. And of course the return of the Fastback model will be great news for Mustang enthusiasts and first-time buyers – the design highlighted by a sleeker profile and more steeply sloped front and rear glass.
And the convertible model we saw in Sydney gains a multi-layer insulated cloth top which not only looks more upmarket, it also does a better job of insulating the cabin from outside noises.
The all-new Ford Mustang is 4784mm long overall (wheelbase is 2720mm), 1916mm wide and 1381 mm high (Fastback) or 1394mm (Convertible). And unlike the first Mustang fastback from the 1960s, the all-new 2015 model [provides handy boot space of 383-litres (Fastback) or 324-litres (Convertible).
Ford Australia isn’t talking dollars so far out but Ford folk we spoke too didn’t seem ruffled at suggestions of a mid-$40,000 starting price for the turbo four.
Sure there are some major new players in the high-performance coupe/convertible market – but there’s no substitute for reputations and the marvellous Ford Mustang heads to Australia celebrating its 50th birthday on 17 April 1964 and in that time more than nine million have been sold. Each 2015 model will wear a dashboard badge which simply says: ‘Mustang – Since 1964’.
That’s the nameplate you’re buying into – alongside say Chevrolet Camaro and MG-B perhaps the greatest name in mainstream sports coupes. We can’t wait for some seat time in the all-new Ford Mustang.
