NEW FORD MUSTANG GT

Ford execs and designers agonise over what attracts a new Mustang buyer and what continues to excite existing ones. All share certain traits, they suggest, including a rebellious streak and a desire to feel empowered, and they like to express themselves through vehicle customisation. The car is a route to freedom, a representation of who the owner is, and it must be fun to drive.

Detroit has honed its recipe for success over six decades to the point that Mustang is the best-selling sportscar globally with the coupe outselling BMW two-doors and the Coyote V8s powering the majority of cars sold. After all, these 5.0-litre cars are the most fun.

The new, seventh iteration will attract a younger cohort with its expansive tech screens replacing a traditional dash. They are curated for drivers who wish to regularly switch drive modes and take to the track. There are handling advancements and a few more horses to amp up performance, and the designers have injected some edginess into the familiar body shape so that it continues to turn more heads. Big aero advancements are less obvious to the eye but the wind tunnel figures are compelling. No one would pick the new car being about 90mm longer. No one will be surprised to learn the kerb weight sits around 1740kg.

Even before the V8 erupts, there’s a sense of excitement from knowing the driving experience will be quite unlike that of rivals. We got to enjoy the new GT manual on the open roads of South Australia, muscling it along country roads, cruising along quiet multi-lanes and threading it through the Adelaide Hills between picturesque vineyards and farms. That atmo V8 and six-speed manual box were in their element and grip from performance tyres on standard 19-inch alloys was outstanding. There’s more efficiency but no less charisma. The engine maintains a satisfying burble at low speeds, quickly generates a whirlwind of torque, and really hits its stride from 4500rpm as it freely spins towards the 7500rpm redline. The shift quality of the manual transmission is as good as ever, and preferable to the 10-speed auto on roads like these.

Tweaks to the suspension settings and a change in steering ratio make for even more satisfying direction changes and the agility on display around Adelaide belied that of a hefty American muscle car. Good refinement levels also deserve a mention and the new car would make for a convincing interstate tourer. That comfortable, low-slung seating position and generous cabin space up front are carryovers from the previous generation.

Such is the strength of its fundamentals, the Mustang GT looks set to hold strong appeal into an increasingly electrified future. A doubling of computing power, the introduction of cleverly-curated display screens and just enough surprise-and-delight features make for a more desirable future classic.