Sliding behind the steering wheel of a box-fresh 2024 Ford Mustang GT takes me again to the second vividly. The 12 months is 2014 and I’m sitting at a pink mild on Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood. I used to be within the then brand-new sixth-generation Mustang, the first destined to be sold in South Africa in right-hand drive. All of a sudden a ’68 GT Fastback (identical to the unique Bullitt one) pulled up alongside me with the window down. “Is this the new model?” Enquired a square-jawed, bronzed Californian surfer-type man with an American drawl.

Before I may reply him with greater than my well-meant thumbs up, he popped the clutch of his traditional muscle automotive, turned exhausting proper and barrelled up a facet avenue in a cacophony of old-school thumping V8 and tyre squeal. The hairs on the again of my neck stood straight on finish! Of course, it’s completely authorized to show proper on pink in America and that’s the day I fell in love with the notorious pony automotive that’s the Ford Mustang GT.

2024 FORD MUSTANG GT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Quite truthfully although, Ford Mustangs are a dime-a-dozen in America. Ford sells them over there like we sell Ranger bakkies in Mzansi. With tens of millions offered since 1964, it’s been the best-selling sports activities automotive within the US for six a long time. Nevertheless, even into the seventh era worldwide, its muscle-car royalty continues to be a factor in South Africa. Therefore, while you first clap eyes on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT, you may’t assist however get swept up by what an important piece of design it’s. Of course, it’s American, so it’s an enormous, modern two-door fastback. However, the proportions are proper on, and the chiseled particulars entrance and rear are transformative.

Its maker says the 2024 Ford Mustang GT is extra menacing due to slimmed-down full LED headlights, tri-bar tail-lamps that nod to the icons of the previous, and purposeful bonnet vents. And they’re completely appropriate – it’s extra menacing and putting within the steel than these footage may even do justice. Any proprietor or fanatic who might have been cynical about its newness can be completely blown away at their first encounter.  

FIVE-POINT-OH

Our 2024 Ford Mustang GT route (or ‘rowt’ in American communicate) is likely one of the great driving stretches of the Southern Cape. We’re stretching this ponies’ legs from George, over Robinson Pass to Oudsthoorn, by means of Uniondale and again round to Outeniqua Pass. Sweet desires are made of those, let me inform you. But grasp on a second, aren’t muscle vehicles meant to experience point-to-point drag-style blasts, however fall to items on the mere sight of a nook? If so, why has Ford South Africa determined to place us on a street that’s extra serpentine than an excellent snake’s moist dream?

The query turns into rhetorical a few quarter of an hour into the drive as I begin the cost up Robinson Pass. Out of six driver modes, I arm the car to Sport and punch the gasoline pedal. Instantly the machine transforms from cozy grand tourer to roaring, salivating V8 stallion. In their infinite knowledge, the Blue Oval fitted each driver-centric choice as customary on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT in South Africa. We’re speaking Magneride energetic suspension, six-piston caliper brakes up entrance (four-pistons on the rear) from Brembo and Torsen limited-slip differential. The result’s a galloping, snorting sports activities automotive that runs down the street in a fashion no traditional Mustang proprietor would ever fathom.

A MUSTANG FOR FAST DRIVERS

Chassis rigidity is high notch while you begin to lay into quick bends and check the grip/dealing with stability, however it by no means rides too firmly. Reworked integral-link rear suspension generates twice as a lot anti-squat, raise and roll throughout braking, cornering and acceleration. Steering really feel is properly calibrated, too. On this supremely demanding street, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT feels as much as the duty and extra so. Grip from the Pirellis – each entrance and rear – might be probably the most noticeable enhancement from the sixth-generation muscle automotive. Where you used to strategy the throttle with warning in Mustangs of yore, the pedal is now undoubtedly a good friend not a foe. And what a good friend it’s …

The upgraded 5.0-litre V8 Coyote produces 328 kW and 540 Nm of torque. But it’s the way it delivers its efficiency that’s so unforgettable and intoxicating. The naturally aspirated motor has port- and direct- gasoline injection and advantages from a brand new active-valve exhaust. The result’s savage, unrelenting acceleration proper by means of the rev vary. Any criticism of flat and workmanlike engine response are a factor of the previous. The raucous dial is turned as much as eleven on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT. There’s a mellow rumble at low rpm, that builds to a guttural bellow all the way in which to redline (peak energy lives at 7 250 rpm). It revs rapidly and entertains all the way in which to the redline, as if impressed by the GT500’s flat-plane-crank V8 motor.

COOL COCKPIT

True Mustang followers will know the unique automotive was really impressed by the America P51 fighter airplane. And for that purpose, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT has a contemporary fighter jet-style cockpit. It’s arguably one among my favorite additions to the brand new automotive and takes the type of a 13.2-inch Sync 4 centre display and 12.4-inch driver show. The screens are barely curved and supply a large enchancment to cabin sophistication and ambiance.

To be truthful, the earlier pony automotive’s inside was a little bit crude. The dashboards’ conical shapes and toggle switches have been fiddly, as a result of they solely toggled in a single route quite than up and down as you’d count on. Now, nonetheless, the driving force binnacle is so good it will possibly even mimic traditional analogue Mustang shows. Besides the pin-sharp trendy layouts like Sport, Calm and Race mode, there’s Classic ‘60s, retro ‘80s from the Fox Body, and even white dials from an SVT Cobra of the ‘90s-‘00s. This is such a good way to customize your 2024 Ford Mustang GT and nonetheless pay homage to 60 years of a muscle-car icon.

THE VERDICT   

The launch drive of the 2024 Ford Mustang GT just isn’t a lot an evaluation, as a celebration of a modern icon first introduced to the world back in 1964. Anyone who owns a sixth-generation Mustang has to get their fingers on one among these seventh-generation beauties to really feel the refinements. The close-ratio 10-speed computerized gearbox makes the efficiency accessible. And its long-bonneted entrance finish is now keen to vary route and is actually rewarding on the restrict on a mountain street. Nevertheless, after a satisfying descent down Outeniqua Pass, I swap all the pieces again to Comfort mode and mosey alongside by means of thickening George visitors to the bata bata of an under-stressed V8. An over abundance of swivelling heads proves to me the enchantment of the muscle automotive won’t ever die, particularly after they make them pretty much as good because the 2024 Ford Mustang GT.

THE FIGURES

• 2024 Ford Mustang GT 5.0
• Engine: 5.0-litre, V8 petrol
• Power: 328 kW @ 7 000 rpm, 540 Nm @ 4 500 rpm
• Performance: 0-100 km/h 4.5 seconds (examined)
• Tyres: 275/40 R19 Pirelli P Zero
• Economy: 10.5 l/100 km (examined)
• Transmission: 10-speed computerized
• Price: R1.3 million

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ICONIC 2024 FORD MUSTANG?

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