2023 Ford Mustang revealed
The new Ford Mustang retains V8 power and a manual gearbox, while also offering improved performance. Here's everything you need to know, including the price, specs and release date...
On sale: Late 2023 | Price from: £55,000 (est)
From McDonald's to Halloween, America has brought many things to the UK over the years. More recently, though, it brought over quite a special thing – the Ford Mustang sports car – and now there’s a new, seventh-generation model that will be arriving on our shores late next year.
Keeping with muscle car tradition, the new Mustang will be offered with a familiar 5.0-litre V8 engine that has been tweaked (with improved cooling, for example) to maximise performance and fuel efficiency. Power figures are yet to be released, but the new Mustang is expected to produce slightly more than the current car’s 453bhp. As with the current car, a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will also be offered, but again with an increase in power over the current output of 286bhp.
While performance figures are under wraps for now, the fastest V8 version is expected to sprint from 0-62mph in around 4.0sec. That’s on par with the rival Toyota GR Supra, which can cover the same dash in 4.3sec in 3.0-litre form.
As before, a six-speed manual gearbox will be offered, but only on the V8 model. A 10-speed automatic is optional on the V8 and standard on the 2.3-litre model.
While the underpinnings of the new Mustang are largely carried over from the existing model, there have been significant upgrades, particularly to the suspension, which is now stiffer in an effort to improve handling. Being adaptive, there are five driving modes to choose from: Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag and Track.
Visually, the new Mustang features a familiar design that is much sharper than the current car's. However, there are now strong differences between models. The V8, for example, gets a more aggressive grille, an extra pair of air intakes for cooling, a larger rear air diffuser and quad exhaust pipes. The four-cylinder model, on the other hand, gets a less aggressive grille, slimmer LED headlights and dual exhausts.
Inside, the changes are more drastic. On upper trims, a 12.3in digital instrument panel is conjoined with a 13.2in infotainment screen in one long housing. Lower trims, on the other hand, get smaller separate screens. But from our experience, the similar 'Sync 4' infotainment software in the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is responsive and relatively easy to navigate.
While UK pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, the new Mustang will be offered in both coupé and convertible forms, starting at around £55,000. That’s a slight increase over both the current Mustang and the GR Supra, which is priced from £49,495.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
