The iconic American muscle car lives on: Ford unveils the new V8 Mustang

Fans of American muscle cars can rejoice – the new Ford Mustang is here, and it will continue to have a burbling 5.0-litre V8 engine under its bonnet.

At its public unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show today, Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, said: ‘Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion vehicles.’ 

The seventh-generation Mustang is only the second iteration that will be sold as an official UK car in right-hand drive layout and is due to arrive in Britain late into 2023. 

Not only will it have a completely-revised eight-cylinder petrol powerplant but updated styling and a redesigned digital cockpit, with the US brand promising that it will be the ‘most fun-to-drive Mustang ever’.

While Ford has already attached its most iconic nameplate to its first purpose-built electric vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E, the blue-oval brand was always reluctant to make an early transition to battery power for its famed sports coupe and convertible.

Confirming that the next-generation car will refrain from adopting electric powertrains, Mr Farley says: ‘Ford is turbocharging its ICE [internal combustion engine] growth plan, adding connected technology, opinionated derivatives, and hybrid options to our most profitable and popular cars – all in the Ford Blue family – on top of investing $50billion [£43bn] in electric vehicles through 2026.’

The news will be celebrated by muscle car enthusiasts and the Mustang’s huge cult following on the back of almost six decades of unerring popularity.

Over 10 million have been bought in its 58 years of continuous production and it has made numerous appearances in film, television, music and video games – as well as being the ‘most-liked vehicle on Facebook’, Ford claims.

The new car aims to build on the overwhelming success of the soon-to-retire sixth-generation model, which has been the best-selling sports coupe every year since it hit the market in 2014 – and around 16,000 have found a home with UK customers after RHD versions hit the market for the first time ever in 2015.

Prices are widely expected to remain consistent with the outgoing car, starting at around £50,000, and order books will open next summer.

2023 Ford Mustang: The V8 lives on…

The biggest talking point for the new Mustang is its updated 5.0-litre V8 motor, which Ford says will provide ‘even greater response and performance’.

Full details are yet to be divulged, so we don’t know yet how quickly it can accelerate to 62mph or how fast it goes flat out.

However, the expectation is for it to improve on the performance figures of the outgoing car, which can sprint to the national speed limit in around five seconds (slightly less if you opted for the automatic over a manual gearbox) and – on closed roads – reach a top speed of 155mph.

Performance upgrades promised for the 2023 model include a new air induction system with a dual air intake and dual throttle body design, while it will also boasts six customisable driving models, including a ‘Drag’ setting and one that is restricted exclusively for track use – whether this is a legal requirement, we do not know.

While it might pack more of a punch, it definitely won’t be green; Ford anticipates that CO2 emissions will be between 260-275g/km, meaning it will sit in the highest VED band, which is a first-year tax sting of £2,365.

It is predicted to guzzle between 24 and 25mpg, though this is to be expected from a machine of this ilk.

The four-cylinder 2.3-litre EcoBoost motor will also be carried over for those who want to have Mustang looks but a downgraded version of American muscle. 

There are assurances that it will be the best-handling Mustang yet – not that the car has ever been appreciated for its cornering prowess – with a quicker steering ratio that should make it feel more responsive and nimble.

And it should also massage the ego of its driver, with the six-speed manual gearbox assisted by a feature that holds the revs when the clutch is engaged between shifts, which should make changes through the transmission more precise.

If you don’t want a stick shift, the option of Ford’s latest 10-speed automatic ‘box will also be available to customers at a premium.

Other performance highlights includes a standard ‘Performance Pack’ that includes 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport limited-slip differential for increased traction, Brembo brakes and an ‘Active Valve Exhaust’, which allows owners to quieten the raucous engine note to avoid waking their neighbours, but unleash it if they want to wake up a small town. 

Active suspension is also available as an optional extra, which includes an intelligent system that monitors conditions one thousand times per second and readies the dampers to absorb one of the millions of potholes scattering the UK’s road network.

‘This is the most athletic and confidence-inspiring Mustang to drive yet,’ explains Ed Krenz, Mustang chief nameplate engineer. 

‘Whether driving an automatic or manual transmission, thanks to Drive Modes combined with fine-tuned digital engine, suspension and steering controls, we’re now able to give drivers peak performance everywhere, from their favourite roads to their local track.’

There will also be a new variant of the hard-top GT, called the Mustang Dark Horse.

This is described as an ‘ultimate expression of track capability and the foundation for the brand’s motorsport efforts,’ and offers even more potency. Ford UK has confirmed this variant will also be available to UK customers from next year.

The Mustang’s age-old silhouette, only edgier 

As the saying goes: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ And that seems to be the direction taken by Ford’s design team.

While the seventh-gen car is sharper than before, it’s unmistakably a Mustang, with its extensive hood, bulging arches and wide haunches.

The front end has a new brow that runs from the revised LED headlights, over the widened front grille and across the front of the bonnet, which also has a gilled section for engine cooling.

Ford says the new feature has been influenced by the original 1960s design but will also help to improve its pedestrian protection score in crash tests.

It retains its sleek roofline that extends to a rear end dominated by the introduction of new tri-bar light clusters that sit within an indented panel including the boot opening.

The GT coupes get a small rear wing (which isn’t included for the convertible) and a reshaped diffuser housing the quad exhaust outlets.

For those opting for the convertible, they get a one-touch activating power roof, which attaches to the car with a single latch that can be locked and unlocked with one hand. When in the down position, there is still said to be enough rear boot space to accommodate two golf bags.

Ford has even upgraded the welcome light system that previous shone a prancing mule on the tarmac below when the car was unlocked – this is now animated and runs in unison with the display on the interior screen to greet the driver when they approach.

A Mustang cabin for the digital age

One of the major upgrades Ford is making a big song and dance about is its new ‘ technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit’.

This includes a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster that is fully customisable to display whatever mix of information the driver desires. Yet there will still be an option for purists, with owners able to display the classic Mustang’s gauges in pixel form on the high-definition screen.

The HD driver display is linked to a 13.2-inch screen in what looks like a single-piece glass-clad panel sitting on top of the lower section of the dashboard. The main infotainment screen features Ford’s latest Sync4 operating system, which means ‘Power-Up’ upgrades can be added to the car via wireless software updates.

‘We’re taking advantage of every pixel,’ said Craig Sandvig, Ford Mustang interaction design manager. 

‘We can be creative in showing necessary driving information and give the driver control of selecting colours, classic Mustang gauges or even a ‘calm’ screen where only minimal details are displayed.’

However, one element that won’t be welcomed by all is the removal of many of the physical buttons. This includes the deletion of radio and climate hard controls, which are now integrated into the digital display – a move Ford says has been made to the preference of ‘Millennials, Gen-Z and traditional Mustang drivers alike’, though will ultimately be more distracting to operate.

Ford has also packed it with the latest safety kit, including Speed Sign Recognition, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring Assist, Evasive Steer Assist and Reverse Brake Assist. A ‘Stolen Vehicle Services 9’ feature, which provides 24-hour support in the event of theft, is also a new feature Mustang buyers can have under a membership scheme.

More details about the Mustang – including its performance stats – are likely to follow in the coming weeks.