Ford Performance

Ford has confirmed the Mustang High Performance will replace the unloved EcoBoost in Australia, with more power from its four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The pricier Mustang GT V8 dominates sales in Australia, accounting for 80 per cent of registrations. Ford will be hoping the more powerful High Performance four-cylinder is a stronger seller, and drive the Mustang to new heights on the sales charts when it arrives in February.

"I apologise on behalf of Australia, it's embarrassing." That's what I said to Hoonigan co-founder Ken Block, after he revealed how much they wanted to film an episode of his Gymkhana series in Sydney. It was ultimately kiboshed by the New South Wales fun police. Block's videos net millions of views with his most popular recently breaking the 100 million mark. You'd think that publicity would be worth letting him break the speed limit here and there.

The Ford Mustang is already a fairly capable sports car, and in markets like the USA there's even more hardcore versions in the form of the Shelby GT350 and GT500 models. According to reports out of North America, Ford Motor Company has confirmed a new "entry-level" performance variant of the iconic pony car will form part of the 2020 line-up, but hasn't divulged much else.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been ousted on social media, giving us a first look at the manic pony-snake flagship. Posted on Instagram by user sinister_lifestyle, the blue example you see pictured features a new set of massive alloy wheels, a unique front fascia, a more aggressive body kit, and a massive fixed rear wing.

Ford Performance has secured racing royalty to display at the 2018 Bathurst 1000, announcing its Le Mans class-winning GT will put on a show for the crowd at the 'Great Race'. Ryan Briscoe, Australian full-time Ford Chip Ganassi Racing driver, will pilot the EcoBoost V6-powered racer around Mount Panorama circuit ahead of the main event. Ford hasn't said exactly how many laps the car will do, but did promise flying laps. “Nothing quite compares to Bathurst,” Briscoe said.