After all the rumours and speculations, the American car maker finally made available the first muscle car in the country last month. Ford India launched the Ford Mustang at a starting price of Rs. 65 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Mustang is offered only in one variant, which is powered by a 5.0 L, V8, naturally aspirated petrol motor. The V8 engine is the largest-displacement engine in Ford’s lineup that generates 395 hp and 515 Nm of maximum power and torque, respectively. The mill is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.
What makes the Mustang special is its exclusivity and uniqueness. There is no other muscle car and no direct competition in the country for the Mustang. Add to it the rich legacy the car proudly boasts and the Mustang seems to be a car that would standout even in a crowd of more expensive European sports cars. Since its debut in 1964, the Mustang has undergone many transformations and updates to make it better in terms of handling and performance. The Mustang’s body style – long hood and rear deck has become its identity and has been carried over to the sixth-generation Ford Mustang.
The Ford Mustang looks aggressive and focused solely on performance. The aggressive looking front fascia coupled with slim HID headlamps and the galloping horse logo in the middle of the honeycomb mesh grille, stay true to the legacy of the Mustang. The signature tri-bar tail lamps complement the car’s character as they were used in the first Mustang. The rear of the car also features dual exhaust pipes and the GT badging in the centre. The blackened alloys blend smoothly with the dual tone body paint. The car is offered in a choice of six exterior colours, namely; Absolute Black, Oxford White, Ingot Silver, Race Red, Triple Yellow Tricoat and Magnetic.
The cockpit of the 1st Mustang was inspired by a classic airplane during the time and the car maker has continued the same theme in the current-generation Ford Mustang. The seats are sporty and comfortable and have a low positioning in line with performance cars. Arpit drove the car at the Buddh International Circuit and felt that the steering responds well and offers impressive control at high speeds. Ford has equipped the Mustang with lightweight body construction and it weighs 1,770 kg (wet). While the number might seem off the scales of its European competitors, to the Mustang’s credit the latest one is the lightest generation till date.
The suspension is firm and is equipped with Double Ball Joint McPherson Strut with Stabiliser Bar at the front and Integral Link Independent with Coil Spring and Stabiliser Bar at the rear axle. The muscle car is also offered with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which improves stability by detecting loss of grip at any wheel and adjusting the power accordingly while cornering. Different driving modes make it convenient to drive as per your need and comfort. The four driving modes are Normal, Sport +, Track and Snow/Wet.
Safety on the Mustang is at par with global standards as its sold in all key regions of the world. Standard features include 6 airbags (Driver, Front Passenger, Side, Curtain, Driver and Passenger Knee), Ford MyKey, ABS, and cruise control to name a few.
The muscle car is sold in the country as a CBU unit (Completely Built-Up), attracting import duties that largely double the retail price. However, at Rs 65 lakh, the Mustang continues to offer decent value-for-money considering the hardware it offers and especially the unmatchable legacy and novelty factor.
