New 2022 Ford Mustang GT gallops in with a V8 engine

• GT model retains 5.0-litre V8 engine
• Manual and automatic transmissions
• Latest Ford SYNC 4 infotainment

Almost 60 years after the original Ford Mustang’s launch in 1964, Ford has announced a new generation of its legendary muscle car. Despite the industry-wide transition to electric power, the new Mustang GT is set to keep its old-school V8 engine, while also receiving Ford’s latest infotainment system.

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Pricing for the new Ford Mustang GT is yet to be announced. The Mustang is one of a dying breed of traditional American sports cars; the outgoing model had no direct rivals in Britain, with its closest competitors being the Toyota Supra and the mid-engined Porsche 718 Cayman.

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The new Ford Mustang has a much more angular appearance than the outgoing model and will be available in both coupe and convertible body styles. At the front, the grille has been enlarged for additional cooling and is flanked by a pair of slimmer LED headlights. At the rear, the Mustang retains its iconic tri-bar tail-lights, which can also be found on the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.

As standard, all V8 Mustang GT models come fitted with the ‘Performance Pack’ which adds 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential, upgraded Brembo brakes and a sports exhaust system – all, Ford claims, coming at the benefit of overall handling and performance. Optional MagneRide suspension can stiffen up to improve agility on twisty roads, and slacken off to aid comfort and refinement.

The outgoing sixth-generation Mustang was the first version of Ford’s iconic model to be sold officially in the UK. From its launch in 2016, it was offered with two choices of powertrain: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost unit and a muscular 5.0-litre V8. The EcoBoost was discontinued in 2021, with the more-popular V8 engine offering a more authentic muscle car experience. There will be a 2.3-litre version of the new car, too, even if the 5.0-litre V8 is probably going to be the bigger seller.

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Despite encroaching emissions regulations and the increasing popularity of electric cars, the new seventh-generation Mustang gets an all-new version of the 5.0-litre petrol V8. Full performance figures are yet to be announced, but we expect the new engine to produce more than the 444bhp output of the outgoing variant.

Ford had been teasing the new Mustang model on social media for a while, with graphics hinting at a manual transmission. Driving purists will be pleased to hear that you can still pair your Mustang’s V8 motor with a six-speed manual gearbox; this comes as standard with rev-matching which maintains the correct engine speed when downshifting. Those who don’t want the hassle of changing gears themselves can instead opt for a 10-speed dual-clutch automatic.

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On the inside, the new Ford Mustang adopts the brand’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment system, as seen on the latest Ford Focus. This comprises a 12.2-inch touchscreen, mounted alongside a set of 12.4-inch digital dials. These change appearance depending on what drive mode the car is in and go a long way to making the relatively old-fashioned Mustang feel a lot more modern. Ford also claims interior quality has also seen an improvement, which is good news as the Mustang felt relatively low-rent inside compared with the likes of the BMW 2 Series Coupe.

So when can we expect this new car to arrive on UK shores? After its reveal at the Detroit Motor Show in the US, we predict the new Mustang will probably go on sale on this side of the Atlantic by around Summer 2023. When it does eventually arrive in showrooms, a starting price of around £60,000 seems likely – while this may sound like a lot, the Mustang will likely still be the cheapest way into a V8-powered car for UK buyers.

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