Home News Ford Mustang V8 GT Convertible Review and Test Drive

Ford Mustang V8 GT Convertible Review and Test Drive

I think it’s safe to say that most petrolheads in the UK have, at some point over the last 50 years, wanted to own a Mustang. This is usually after watching classic movies such as Goldfinger, Bullit and Gone in 60 Seconds (1974), or more recently I Am Legend and Need for Speed. Either way, despite most people having never driven one, we have a strong desire to burnout rear tyres and put up with the steering wheel being on the wrong side.

Finally though, Ford have seen the light and decided to sell a right hand drive version in the UK. About time too!

I’ve been lucky enough to have had two previous encounters with Mustangs, both of which were memorable and left me wanting more.

My first Mustang experience was with a 1968 V8 Convertible that I got to drive around Scotland as part of a job. It was a bit leggy and rough around the edges but the 5.7l V8 made a lovely noise and it could still spin the rear wheels when pulling away at traffic lights. On a sunny day with the roof down you felt particularly cool. That is, until you got to a corner. US cars from that era really didn’t like bends and 40 years of wear and tear didn’t help matters.

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Fast forward a few years and Jen and I were lucky enough to hire a Mustang Convertible when honeymooning on a trip from LA to San Francisco. This time we had the previous generation V6 model and so missed out on some of the drama of the V8. Although the soundtrack wasn’t as appealing, the city scenes and Pacific Coast Highway were more than enough to make up for the lack of cylinders. Sun out, roof down and you felt like you could have been in a whole host of Hollywood movies – an experience everyone should go for if you get a chance.

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Now, finally, we’ve got a hold of the RHD 2016 Mustang to try on our own doorstep and discover if Ford made the right decision.

Before even driving the car it seems obvious that Ford is on to something by giving the UK their own Mustang. Looking at the current Ford line-up there isn’t yet a real halo or top end car to bring in new customers. Yes the Focus RS is undoubtedly an amazing machine and I’m sure the Mondeo Vignale is the height of affordable luxury, but neither have the appeal of the BMW i8 and 7 Series or Audi R8 and A8. The Mustang, I think, brings real desire back to the Ford line-up and I’m positive it will get car buyers back into Ford showrooms.

Our Mustang is a V8 GT Convertible in a very loud orange colour with contrasting black wheels and roof. To say this car gets attention is an understatement! People were actually stopping outside my house to look at it. If you want a Mustang so you can show off to friends and neighbours then you might as well go and put a deposit down now as it’ll work a treat. If you’re just interested in the Mustang for the V8 rumble then you’re also in luck because it sounds great, both at tick over and when given some revs. A few attendees at our monthly curry night did suggest they would install a straight through exhaust if it was their car, but personally I don’t think this is really needed, or wanted if you’re going to do many miles in it.

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In 2016 a car needs to do more than burnouts and make a good noise. We expect a quality interior, up to date technology, and for it to go round a corner better than a boat whilst not drinking fuel like one. For each of these points the Mustang has an answer.

Compared to the fifth generation, the interior has had a big upgrade with a high quality centre console, nice switchgear and a bang up to date stereo/nav setup. We used the nav when negotiating the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow and it did a fine job.

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It has to be remembered that the Mustang is still a muscle car and not quite a sports car in the vein of an M3 or Porsche Cayman. To judge it against these cars is to slightly miss the point of a Mustang (unless it’s a GT350 – please bring them to the UK!). That’s not to say the sixth generation car can’t handle a good country road at pace. This is the first factory car to have independent rear suspension and it’s actually quite impressive on fast corners, especially with the engine and transmission set to Sport +. The ride is firm enough for it not to dive when entering a corner but it’s not harsh like a lot of the latest hot hatches. You could quite easily head up north and enjoy plenty of the North Coast 500 without wishing you were in something like a Lotus Elise. With an average MPG sitting at 18 it’s not even too thirsty for the trip.

Taking the car onto a B-road and it’s not quite the same story. At nearly two meters wide and at over 1,700kg it’s never going to be a car that enjoys being really hustled. The brakes did hold up well when I tried to give the car more of a workout but it was never really enjoyable to drive it like this and it does seem to miss some out the point of owning such a car.

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It’s worth pointing out this was an automatic car (like the previous two Mustangs I’ve driven), and I don’t know why you would choose the manual as I can’t see it suiting the car more. If you really want to choose when to change gear then there were paddles available but I tried it once and never felt the need to use them again.

Overall I think the Mustang has made a great transition to being a UK car and the sixth generation is easily the best one yet. It’s still not the most sensible choice for many UK motorists as it’s very large and yet not particularly practical. It drinks plenty of fuel (although very good for a 5.0l V8) and will light up the rear tyres on even a slightly damp bit of road, but nearly everyone you meet will love it.

For me it would be a tossup between this or the classic 5.7l from 1968, but only if I lived on the south coast of England or, even better, in California.

PRICE: £38,495

ENGINE: 4951cc 32v V8,

POWER: 415bhp @ 6500rpm

TORQUE: 391lb ft @ 4250rpm

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 4.8sec, Top Speed 155mph (limited)

CONSUMPTION: 20.8 mpg (combined)

CO2: 299g/km CO2

TT Rating: TT Rating 4

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