Since its iconic reveal at the New York World’s Fair in April 1964, the Ford Mustang has raced to a reputation of personifying performance — and after six generations of speed, the new rendition has arrived in Mzansi.
The seventh-generation pony is something to behold — whether it is bellowing down the byways or cruising the streets, the renowned muscle car is emphatic in its purpose of providing power, engine capacity and charisma.
At its launch in the Western Cape earlier in November, as its 19-inch Pirellis skimmed the N9 and accompanying passes at breakneck speeds, it became clear why the Blue Oval has been able to continue its production until now, its 60th anniversary year.
The Mustang has run up sales of more than 4,000 units in SA since its debut in 2016, and more than 10-million cars have been sold worldwide since 1964.
Arriving in George for the launch, we were intrigued by the sight of the fleet of low-slung and wide-bodied fastback GT coupes with their broader radiator grilles, functional hood vents, tribar LED head and rear lights, race-inspired rear diffusers and bespoke rims.
Though the new generation Mustang has gained a sharper, more chiselled stance, its soul remains torque-heavy, with the naturally aspirated Coyote 5l V8 under its big bonnet pushing out 328kW of power and 540Nm of torque that propel the pony car from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds.
Top speed is governed to 250km/h.
The car has six driving modes — Normal, Slippery, Drag, Sport, Track and Custom (with up to six profiles).
Switch to sports mode, put your foot to the floor and the sensation is one of pure grin-inducing exhilaration.
But let’s go back a step. Start up the machine and ... the symphony of brute power that blows out of the quad-pipe exhausts is a selling point all on its own.
The experience is amplified by advanced technology, which allows one to start the car and rev the engine up to 5,000rpm simply using the key fob.
As you settle into the suave interior that pays homage to the Mustang’s history, it’s apparent that the cockpit is loaded with technology, including a nifty hydraulic handbrake styled to resemble a good old mechanical one.
The handbrake is released by simply pushing the lever down and engaged through lifting it.
The fighter jet-styled cockpit curves around the pilot for an engaging driver-focused experience with two seamlessly integrated high-definition dual digital displays, a 13.2-inch infotainment screen and 12.4-inch instrument cluster with a variety of integrated interfaces, including the option of the original 1967 spec dial.
The user-friendly infotainment system, which is integrated with Ford Sync4 and is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, houses most of the electronic wizardry.
At a price tag of more than R1m one gets a plethora of creature comforts, including dual-zone climate control, an impressive 12-speaker B&O sound system, multicolour ambient lighting, cooled and heated front sports seats, inductive charging, dual-zone automatic climate control and multiple USB ports.
Driver and safety features include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front collision assist with autonomous braking, a Thatchman specification alarm, deployable bonnet and eight airbags.
It is also ISOFIX-friendly in case one needs to persuade the children to sleep.
But all this tech is dwarfed in comparison with the feeling of sinking into the Onyx leather seats and wrapping your hands around the motorsport-inspired, flat-bottomed, heated, leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, pushing the start button and hearing the immense grunt and deeply alluring bellow emanating from the exhausts.
Leaving George for more remote roads — and turning many heads in the process — we roar into the quiet straightaways and winding passes where traffic dies down and our enthusiasm is revved all the way into the red.
Departing from De Rust after lunch in the direction of Uniondale, the symphony of sound and speed brings the dream of driving that pullout poster to life as the Mustang pushes its power through the rear wheels to the tarmac as you race through the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Fortunately, improved technology in the form of a Torsen limited slip differential, large tyres and MagneRide active suspension all play their part in keeping the vehicle straight and stable as we speed down the N9, the big Brembo brakes bringing the 1.8-tonne machine to a quick stop.
The car is energetic but balanced and easily managed in the corners along the Potjiesberg Pass, allowing the driver to confidently dive into the turns knowing that despite the immense power, its quick- thinking traction control system is more than up to the task.
The sheer thrill and exhilaration of managing that amount of muscle is accompanied by unmatched acoustics in the cabin as it fills with an ever-increasing orchestra of V8 might that builds from beneath you and reverberates throughout as you keep the revs in the red.
The new Mustang is a sports car built for enthusiasts and those with the dogged determination of driving their dream.
There are softer and sharper-turning options such as German competitors in the Audi S5 (R1,272,500) or BMW M440i xDrive coupé (R1,499,607).
Purchasing a Mustang is choice driven by passion as the car, despite housing dramatically improved technology, remains true to its raw, naturally aspirated roots that strike the perfect balance between exhilaration and caution.
The new Ford Mustang GT Fastback retails for R1,300,000.
This includes a four-year/120,000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
Customers have the option of purchasing an extended Ford Protect Service or maintenance plan.
A more potent Dark Horse model has also been earmarked for SA and will arrive in the fourth quarter.
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