The new Mustang is set to be the fastest accelerating Blue Oval car since the Ford GT according to new official figures. The Mustang, offered in Ireland for the first time in the car's fifty-year history, will hit 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds for the 421hp 5.0-litre V8 model and a respectable 5.8 seconds for the 317hp 2.3-litre EcoBoost variant. These figures will make the Mustang the fastest accelerating mainstream car Ford has ever offered in Europe.
The V8 Mustang obviously has a power advantage over the EcoBoost but it also has a Launch Control function, via the Track Apps add on, that enables it to get off the line quicker. Once depressed the system holds the engine between 3,000 and 4,500rpm waiting for the clutch to be released before sending 530Nm of torque towards the rear wheels. There is even an electronic Line Lock system that locks the front brakes, allowing the driver to spin the rear tyres to warm them up (or do a smoky burnout - something Completecar.ie couldn't possibly condone).
Unlike its American counterparts, all European Mustangs will come fitted with a Performance Pack as standard, meaning uprated brakes and increased cooling. Selectable Drive Modes are also included, which allow the driver to toggle between Normal, Sport+, Track or Snow/Wet settings. The weight and feel of the steering can also be adjusted by way of the Selectable Effort Electric Power Assisted Steering.
The new Mustang, offered in both Fastback and Convertible bodystyles, will have a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Standard equipment for European left hand drive models includes 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic HID head lights, dual-zone climate control, LED rear lights, a nine-speaker sound system and SYNC 2 voice control connectivity with 8-inch colour touch screen.
The first left hand drive vehicles are set to reach dealerships in continental Europe from July and right hand drive vehicles will be in Ireland and the U.K. from November.