Ford Mustang V8

FIRST UK DRIVE We try reworked sports car legend on British roads

- Alex Ingram

MEASURE a car’s value for money in terms of horsepower per pound and not much comes close to the Ford Mustang. This is an American icon that, starting from just over £41,000, offers Audi RS 5 power for the price of an A5.

Yet judging by the wholesale revisions applied to the 2018 Mustang we’re driving here for the first time in the UK, it seems that Ford wasn’t satisfied. The 5.0-litre V8 now makes 444bhp – 38bhp more than before – a result of a revised fuelling system that mixes both port and direct injection. It’s enough for 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds with the new 10-speed auto, or 4.6 in the manual car.

Curiously, the other engine option has lost power. The 2.3-litre Eco Boost unit improves ‘Eco’ to the detriment of ‘Boost’ – stricter emissions regulations result in a 27bhp drop to 286bhp.