Hoping for more ponies from the new Ford Mustang GT? Reports from the USA suggest you might be disappointed.
Ford Authority reports a dealer window sticker reveals the 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine in the new Mustang makes 450hp, equivalent to 336kW. The current Mustang GT makes 339kW in Australia, while the Mach 1 pumps out 345kW.
Ford has confirmed it’s targeting at least 373kW from the flagship Dark Horse model of its new Mustang, but hasn’t offered details about what the regular GT will pack.
Given the sticker (posted below, first published on Ford Authority) makes clear this particular unit is “NOT TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE”, it’s possible this early build car doesn’t represent the final production vehicle due in 2023.
Ford has previously promised the new Mustang will offer more performance, better fuel economy, and a faster 100km/h sprint time than its predecessor.
The new Mustang is due to arrive in Australia late in 2023. The current model has officially been taken off sale, leaving Blue Oval showrooms without the strong-selling muscle car for around 12 months.
The 2024 Mustang range is underpinned by a version of the outgoing sixth-generation’s platform, which Ford says was the “best fit” for the car.
There’s carryover suspension architecture, though there have been some updates, including new aluminium lower control arms and new rear linkages. The Magneride adaptive damping system remains optional.
Ford says there’s a new steering rack and a faster steering ratio across the range, along with a new generation of safety equipment including adaptive cruise control, lane centring, evasive steering assist, and reverse brake assist.
Perhaps the greatest stylistic departure comes inside the Mustang, with the dual-cowl – double-brow in Ford parlance – dashboard replaced with a more linear unit.
Premium models and up feature a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch instrumentation display a single wraparound housing, while base models feature standalone displays.
The touchscreen runs Ford’s latest Sync 4 operating system.
Physical climate controls are gone, replaced with shortcuts at the base of the central touchscreen. There’s a single row of physical switches, including the hazard lights, while underneath these there’s finally a storage shelf, which also includes a wireless charging pad.
All models feature a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a first for the Mustang. Automatic models feature paddle shifters with a silver finish. Like the outgoing car, the digital instrument cluster features different layouts for different drive modes.
MORE: Everything Ford Mustang
