2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost road test
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The Mustang is back.
Ford's legendary coupe returned to Australian shores late last year, giving muscle car enthusiasts something to cheer about as Australian car manufacturing draws to a close.
Thousands of buyers put down deposits to get hold of one of the hottest cars on local roads this year, prompting plenty of hype and interminable waiting lists for people keen to snap up an example of the iconic pony car.
What do you get?
The Mustang is available in two trims, EcoBoost and GT, effectively the same car with a choice of two engines.
Having already compared the V8 Mustang with its closest rivals, we elected to test the more affordable EcoBoost version in coupe form.
Priced from $45,990 plus on-road costs, the coupe has a strong standard features list that includes 19-inch wheels, smart keys, HID headlights, LED taillights and more.
Satellite navigation and a reversing camera are part of an 8-inch infotainment screen and nine-speaker stereo combination connected to Ford's clever SYNC system, while dual-zone climate control joins heated and cooled seats to keep front occupants comfortable.
There are more Mustang motifs than Ford emblems on the car, including illuminated scuff plates and mirror-mounted "pony projection lights" that direct galloping silhouettes onto the road after dark.
The Mustang coupe is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed auto with paddle shifters is available for an extra $2500. Convertible customers are restricted to the self-shifting unit, which gives the $54,990 drop-top a $6000 premium over the automatic coupe.
Reaching higher, the 5.0-litre V8-powered Mustang GT is priced from $57,490 plus on-road costs, an $11,500 premium over like-for-like models.
The GT adds bigger brakes, different wheels with wider rear tyres, retuned shock absorbers and a new front spoiler as well as a 306kW V8 powerplant.
Options for the EcoBoost include metallic paint ($500), a black-painted roof ($975) and racing stripes ($650) while modern touches such as active cruise control or self-parking systems are curiously absent.
What's inside?
The Mustang's retro exterior styling continues on the inside, where aviation-inspired read outs, faux chrome toggle switches and a classic steering wheel with metal-look trim.
Impressive at a glance, the Mustang feels a little cheap and flimsy when you look closely, though that can be forgiven when the car has such an affordable price point.
While it lacks an element of polish, the basics are sound. It offers an excellent range of adjustability, thanks in part to six-way electric adjustment for the driver's chair, and plenty of comfort for longer trips.
The infotainment suite is easy to grasp and impressive in its abilities, offering plenty of punch from the stereo too.
The Mustang is a "two plus two" proposition rather than a genuine four-seat car, with little in the way of legroom for rear seat occupants.
The front cabin is a little cosy as well, continuing a long line of large American cars that suffer from a lack of space inside. Though it's not particularly practical, clever or well-finished, the Mustang's cabin helps make occupants feel special, reminding you that it is not a run-of-the-mill hatchback or sedan.
Under the bonnet?
The EcoBoost Mustang is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine that is a close relative of the 2.0-litre unit offered in the Ford Focus ST, Jaguar XE and Range Rover Evoque.
No, it's not a V8, and buyers should be prepared to defend their choice in the face of friends, family and perfect strangers who will wonder why it doesn't have a five-litre motor under the bonnet.
The short answer is that this engine is cheaper, more efficient, lighter and perfectly capable of moving the 'Stang along at a decent clip.
It produces roughly as much power and torque as the 2001 Mustang that Ford sold locally in limited numbers - an impressive feat as that car used a 4.6-litre V8 with twice the capacity of this model.
The key lies in a twin-scroll turbocharger that pumps a fair amount of boost into the engine, enough for it to produce 233kW of power and 432Nm of torque.
It's a fine motor, with a flat torque curve and effortless response that makes it a pleasure to drive in an everyday cruise or a spirited punt.
The motor has minimal lag, responding crisply to driver inputs.
The manual EcoBoost coupe we tested has an official 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds, faster than a few popular performance cars including the Toyota 86, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS265 (even if it is a full second slower than the V8).
The key shortcoming for the EcoBoost is its soundtrack. The motor has an anonymous and uninspiring voice that Ford augments with fake engine noises played through the stereo. Neither are particularly impressive, though the V8 disappointingly also suffers from a lack of aural theatrics.
On the road
We tested the Mustang in a mix of conditions ranging from urban commuting to motorway miles and a backroad blast on a demanding route near Bathurst. The EcoBoost proved surprisingly capable, with a surefooted composure and refined ride that won fans within the Drive office.
It steers crisply, shrugs off imperfections with ease and responds well to a spirited drive.
You can rev it hard and work through the gears or leave it in a high ratio and tap into flexible torque reserves that lend effortless performance.
The Mustang has plenty of traction thanks to grippy Pirelli tyres and a standard limited slip differential that makes sure its rear wheels share their load.
Ford engineers lent the car a laid back personality more representative of a GT or cruiser than a traditional sports or muscle car.
Verdict
The EcoBoost Mustang is more than a muscle car that needs to spend more time in the gym. While destined to live in the shadow of its V8 brother, the EcoBoost coupe has a character of its own worth celebrating.
Few cars can match the Mustang's feelgood factor, and none of them are available at this price point.
2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost pricing and specifications
Price: From $45,990 to $54,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 233kW at 5600-5700rpm
Torque: 432Nm at 3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic
Fuel use: 8.5L/100km (auto) or 9.3L/100km (manual)
The Competitors:
Toyota 86 Blackline
Price: From $37,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 147kW at 7000rpm
Torque: 205Nm at 6400rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic
Fuel use: 7.8L/100km
Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance
Price: From $46,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 169kW at 4700-6200rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1500-4600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel use: 6.6L/100km
Holden Commodore SS-V Ute
Price: From $44,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 6.2-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 304kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 570Nm at 4400rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic
Fuel use: 12.8L/100km