I’ve never been a huge fan of American cars. Big, brash and of course the steering wheel is most definitely on the wrong side. Rewind to 2015 and I was invited to Aynho House in deepest Oxfordshire for the UK Media Launch of the very first right-hand drive Ford Mustang. An interesting venue and an intriguing car.

Up early at the launch, the press team allowed me an early first drive before breakfast. Eager to get going, and with the roads a tad damp, I exited the car park slightly sideways. All that V8 power, rear wheel drive, it certainly focused my mind.

From that first turn behind the wheel I was hooked. Over the coming years, I have driven the Mustang in both coupe and convertible forms, and with the smaller but no less powerful 2.3-litre engine, lifted form the fiery Focus RS. The smaller engine is undoubtedly the more sensible choice, being far more frugal and just as quick in the real world. But does anyone buying a Mustang want to be sensible? By not choosing the V8 motor, you miss out on that distinctive, sonorous, tuneful and addictive soundtrack that will accompany every drive.

My last press loan was a Bullitt special edition. This was a homage to the 1968 Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in the film Bullitt. I recall taking it to a launch event in the Cotswolds and as I burbled into the car park, a crowd of journalists and PRs immediately gathered round for a closer look. Mustangs just appeal to us car nuts!

2024 saw a new Mustang go on sale, available still as a coupe or convertible. More chiselled looks, a design they say was inspired by six decades of heritage. A newly sculptured bonnet, large rear haunches, and a new front spoiler and side skirts to improve aerodynamics. New LED three-bar taillamps too.

Inside there is a fully digital display, with a 12.4-inch instrument panel and a 13.2-inch central screen angled towards the driver. Seats for four, though children only in the rear, and the boot will still accommodate two sets of golf clubs.

Gone is the 2.3-litre engine, though the 5.0-litre V8 motor is new. An Active Exhaust system changes the engine sound and volume for hushed urban driving or something louder and more tuneful once out on the open road. There are up to six drive modes, ranging from wet roads to track driving and everything in between.

A Performance Package is standard, and this brings Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential and there’s the option of MagneRide suspension, which monitors road conditions one thousand times a second and adjusts accordingly.

Rewind a week or so and my press loan car arrived. I opted for the six-speed manual gearbox, though I gather most buyers opt for the auto. I do believe the three-pedal set up was the right choice as it makes for a far more involving driving experience. The gearchange has a short throw and a positive action and with the V8 engine’s considerable power, you can pull from low speeds in second or third gear all the way to motorway speeds and no doubt far beyond.

Holding on to those lower gears allows all on board to savour that throaty V8 warble, even better with the side windows slightly cracked.
My fast-charging week behind the wheel saw me head south for two car launches and then into London for a couple of days. I did wonder whether the choked city streets of the capital would make me regret not choosing an auto equipped car. I need not have worried. The light clutch and the anti-stall tech meant that I could slowly release the clutch at standstill and the revs would rise automatically. Almost impossible to stall I would think.

I covered over 600 miles during my time with the new Mustang. The trip computer showed 26.2mpg at the end of the loan period, no doubt helped by the engine turning over at less than 2,000rpm at motorway speeds. It was certainly better than expected, but use the car’s full performance on a favourite B-road and you can easily knock 10mpg off that figure.

Whilst the Mustang was with me, I had the opportunity to drive a friend’s early car, now almost 10 years old. Although it had the automatic gearbox, it was a good opportunity to compare the two cars side by side.

On balance, I prefer the old car’s looks, but this is of course subjective. It’s a bit the same with the interior. I know the latest cars need to incorporate all the very latest technology, hence the rise of large digital screens. The old car’s hooded instruments tick all the right boxes for me, being far more reminiscent of the original.

I was also not a fan of the rather slow-shifting automatic gearbox. The new car can be specced with a more up to date 10-speed box, which I am sure will be an improvement. It’s still a manual for me and I would also choose the convertible model, all the better to hear that lovely V8 engine.

A new Mustang can now be had from £55,725 and Ford’s website says delivery can be arranged in just one week. Put down £10,000 and then pay 38 monthly payments of £668.20 (APR 4.9%) with the option to own outright at the end with a further payment of £29,567.

I’m back looking at the classified ads for an early manual V8 convertible. Prices have remained strong as the cars were never sold in great numbers in the UK. Cars like this will soon disappear from sale, so maybe now is the time for a last hurrah.

Fast Facts
Ford Mustang Coupe
Price £55,725 ( £61,425 as tested)
MagneRide Damping - £1,750
Carbonised grey paint - £800
Red callipers - £400
446PS 5.0-litre V8 engine
Torque – 540Nm
0-62mph in 5.3 seconds
Top speed 155mph
Combined economy 23.5mpg
Emissions – 274g/km CO2