GEARHEAD
American thoroughbred
The refreshed Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost projects both presence and power
Which ride would you prefer – a pony car or a warhorse?
If you pick the Ford Mustang, you won’t have to choose; you will have both.
In the US, a pony car refers to a sporty and affordable coupe or convertible. The Ford Mustang has the honour of inspiring this equine term, which was coined after the model’s debut in 1964 because of its badge, size and performance.
But in Singapore, where the roads are less open, the hefty Mustang seems less agile pony and more burly warhorse, although with the kind of taxes that price it like a race horse.
That doesn’t detract one bit from its ability to make an automotive statement, though.
With its macho styling and iconic badge, the Mustang oozes charisma. And choosing to buy one says a lot about the driver’s personality (and pocket).
Why? Because as a distinctive two-door, four-seater, the Mustang is a clever animal that comes with a vocabulary which includes multi-syllabic words like “individualistic’’ and “unique’’ – nouns that plainer four-door sedans and practical seven-seat MPVs won’t get a chance to enunciate.
Features
You know the Mustang has headturning styling when virtually every guy on the road does a double take when it goes by. Okay, that could be due to its relative rarity. But there is no doubt this is a flashy car.
With its classic Mustang proportions of a long hood and short rear, plus that intimidatingly gaping grille, this is not a timid Japanese coupe.
Incidentally, the Mustang is a fastback – not a hatchback – so it has a bootlid.
The latest model in Singapore is a refreshed version of the sixth-generation Mustang with several updated features.
The first is that the local variant is now available only with a Premium trim level, which is much higher than the previous standard car’s.
On the outside, there are the new front and rear lamps; on the inside, Recaro seats and a digital instrument cluster – items found only in the Premium version.
The cabin itself is surprisingly well-made; it may not be upscale but the quality finish is apparent.
But it is under the long hood where the major change lies – the new 10-speed automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels, a huge improvement from the previous six-speeder and which changes the Mustang’s character completely.
Powertrain
While a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 is available on an indent basis, the Mustang in the Regent Motors showroom has a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
Like a thoroughbred, the Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Premium is fleet of foot. Despite weighing in at 1,660 kg, its 310 hp and 447 Nm allow it to gallop from zero to 100 kmh in a very brisk 5.5 seconds.
The Premium package also comes with a button with the Mustang logo on the multi-function steering wheel. Press this so-called pony button and the full range of the car’s performance functions comes to life on the digital screen. There are driving modes (not just the usual Normal and Sport but Track and Drag Strip too), and driver info like inlet air and cylinder head temperature, the air/fuel ratio and boost pressure.
Choose Track mode and the engine snarls and the exhaust growls. Or pick Drag Strip to burn some rubber, complete with uninhibited wheelspin for extra entertainment.
But the beauty of the new transmission is that the Mustang can be docile and economical if required.
Feather the throttle when the lights turn green and the auto ‘box flies to sixth gear before even hitting 40 kmh. It is already in 10th by the time the digital speedo crosses the 70 kmh mark.
Or if you prefer, there are also steering wheel-mounted shift paddles to experience the novelty of manually changing that many gear ratios.
For all its oomph, the Mustang is still more cruiser than bruiser.
With front MacPherson struts, a rear integral link independent suspension and rear limited slip differential, handling is stable and competent.
The electric power steering is equally accurate in Normal and Sport modes for precise execution of corners.
But the car’s bulk is evident and you keep thinking there is too much car for its four seats, especially when the rear pair can be occupied only if you are short or have a detachable head (the steeply raked windscreen eats into rear headroom).
Price
Banded C2 under VES with a S$20,000 surcharge, the Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Premium is listed at S$263,888.
For that price, you get something no other car in Singapore can claim to have – American muscle car machismo.
The long hood may be open to interpretation, but whatever it may be trying to compensate for, there is no denying that this celebrated Ford makes an automotive statement.
Its appeal is that it allows its driver to reflect his (probably more so than her) personality. It is a lifestyle choice and probably the next best thing to owning an actual horse.
Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Premium
Engine – 2,261cc inline-4 turbocharged
Gearbox – 10-speed automatic transmission
Max power – 310 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Max torque – 447 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
0-100 kmh – 5.5 secs
Top speed – 233 kmh
VES band – C2 (+S$20,000)
Distributor – Regent Motors, tel 6376-2233
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