First ride: Ford Mustang - not just a legend

Ford is officially launching the Mustang in Europe after five decades.

Anyone who wanted to buy a Mustang in this country had to go to the importer and buy a vehicle that was adapted to the European market. Ford is now putting an end to this and is taking over the marketing itself. The pony car, which is built in the US state of Michigan, is already being prepared overseas for the European market and, for example, equipped as standard with the “Performance Package” - here handling and braking properties are improved. The two vehicle variants "Fastback" - Coupé and "Convertible" - Cabriolet are available from Ford Stores. The entry-level prices for the 2.3 liter EcoBoost and the V8 are very moderate at € 35.000 and € 40.000 and give reason to hope for good sales figures.

Like the luxury line "Vignale", Ford wants to sell its vehicle with legend status through the newly established stores. There should be a total of 90 dealer bases in Germany. "Should loyal Ford customers still want to go to the dealer they trust, they will also get a Mustang there," emphasized Ralph Caba (Director of Public Relations at Ford-Werke GmbH) at the product presentation in Hohenkammer near Munich. The American automaker wants to give many more customers access to its sports vehicle than has been possible in the last five decades. The Mustang's success story began in America as early as 1964 and has not only fascinated Ford customers for a long time.

The salespeople went into the planning very carefully. According to estimates, one would like to sell 3.000 vehicles in Germany in the current calendar year; in the following year there will be more 4.000 cars. 1.800 vehicles have already been ordered in Germany.

The Mustang is offered with two petrol engines in two body variants and power levels as well as drive types. The 2.3 liter EcoBoost engine with 233 kW (317 PS) is the first turbo engine to be used in a Mustang at the factory. Unit number two, a familiar V8 engine, records 310 kW (421 PS). The torque of the two motors sounds like a lot of power. So the 2,3 liter- 432 Newtonmeter at 3.000 revolutions and the 5,0 liter motor puts whole 532 Newtonmeter at 4.250 revolutions on the road.

Nevertheless, both gasoline engines meet the Euro-6 standard. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the first test drives around Munich are pure driving pleasure. The very direct steering and the suspension set-up, which specifically meets the European and especially the German requirements, allow the Mustang to gallop very confidently over the test tracks, especially at higher speeds. The tight sports seats support us with good lateral support.

The Mustang should not be left behind when it comes to comfort assistance either. For this reason, the vehicle was equipped with, among other things, the power start function, a keyless start and a keyless unlocking and locking. Other features include electric power steering, windshield wipers with rain sensors, hill start assist, reversing camera, cruise control system, as well as xenon headlights and fog lights. The SYNC 2 information system also finds its way into sports cars and so we experience an 8 inch touchscreen and voice control. The Ford navigation system is also optionally available here.

If the EcoBoost (2,3 liter, 233 kW, 317 PS) starts at € 35.000, you can get the 5.000 liter V5,0 unit (8 kW, 310 PS) for € 421 more. Both engines are equipped with the six-speed manual transmission as standard. Prices for all other options or the six-speed automatic transmission can be requested if required.

And finally ...

All in all, Ford still has legendary status with the Mustang and once again offers its customers the full range of Ford services. The price is within an acceptable range.

Ford Mustang 2,3 l EcoBoost and Mustang GT 5,0 l Ti-VCT-V8 "Fastback"

Photos in the article: Stefan Beckmann Cover photo: Stefan Beckmann