What's the news?
Ford has released first details of the updated Mustang coupe and convertible, which will go on sale towards the end of this year, and there are some significant changes for a car which only arrived on these shores in 2016.
Ford sold 55 Mustangs in Ireland last year, which isn't doing bad for a car that comes with only petrol engines and costs north of €50k. Only three were the big 5.0-litre V8, but still...
For the 2018 model year, the Mustang is becoming a deal more sophisticated. The face has altered slightly, with a re-profiled bonnet that's 20mm lower, new lights at the front and back and a new grille, although fans of the 'Stang's style won't be upset; it does look pretty much the same as before.
On the engine front, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo engine will get a little more torque than before, while the V8 5.0-litre model will have both more torque and more power, although Ford isn't saying how much of either for now.
Bigger news comes in the shape of magnetically controlled 'Magnaride' suspension dampers and a ten-speed (yes, ten) automatic gearbox, which should boost both acceleration and fuel economy. Compared to the previous six-speed, the new 10-speed transmission has quicker shift times, better low-speed tip-in response and significantly reduced friction losses. The all-new electronic control system includes unique tunes for different drive modes and features real-time adaptive shift scheduling to ensure the right gear at the right time. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles allow drivers maximum manual control. No word on the much-hyped hybrid Mustang yet, but that is coming soon too.
Ford has had a go at boosting the much-derided quality of the cabin plastics too, and you can now optionally have the traditional analogue instrument pack replaced with an Audi-style digital cluster if you like.
There's a memory system that stores all of your personal preferences and settings (called MyMustang) and there's even an active flap in the exhaust system so that you can tune the sound of your Mustang to your taste. Ours will be set permanently to loud... You can also now spec it with a system that unlocks the doors from your smartphone, while there's also a raft of new safety systems including Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and Driver Alert System.
Best of all? More paint options including the 'Orange Fury' used in the promo photos. That'll do nicely, thanks...