Ford is hard at work testing the new Mustang – and this time it’ll have to cater for discerning European tastes as well as its American homeland. The smaller, lighter, more sophisticated new Mustang will go on European sale in 2014, offering right-hand drive, independent rear suspension, and four-cylinder engines to cope with continental emissions legislation.
Details on the new Ford Mustang behind the mask
The European-bound Mustang will remain a rear-drive, 2+2-seater coupe, but opt for an Ecoboost-dominated engine line-up instead of just thirsty V8s. A 2.3-litre turbo four-pot will be the range’s staple – the motor will be used in uprated 350bhp+ form to power the next-gen Ford Focus RS. Sitting higher in the range will be an pokier version of the current US-market Ecoboost V6. It’s a bi-turbo 3.5-litre engine, currently good for 360bhp.
A halo GT500 model offering supercharged V8 power is a possibility, but it’ll be a niche halo model for true muscle-car enthusiasts. With power from the current GT500 at the preposterous 650bhp mark, it’s reassuring to know the new Mustang will have all new, fully independent rear suspension instead of a live-axle derived set-up…
It’s expected the new Mustang will be priced to compete with sports coupes like the Nissan 370Z, and the Audi A5 and BMW 4-series. That means entry-level models priced over £26k, with GT500s at Audi RS5 and BMW M4 money, around £58,000.