ABDC 2018: Ford Mustang GT Track Pack

9th place

Why is it here?

Since its last appearance at 2016 ABDC, Ford’s pumped-up, rear-drive muscle car has sold close to 15,000 examples in Australia, as local enthusiasts can’t get enough of its swoopy retro looks and brawny V8 performance.

With no Aussie muscle car in the field for the first time in ABDC history, the Mustang now flies the flag for a dying breed of big, boofy and affordable, old school rear-drive V8s – at least until a factory right-hand drive Camaro arrives.

The Stang’s sweet-revving, nat-atmo DOHC bent-eight produces 306kW/530Nm, for a handy power-weight ratio of 179.9W/kg – the sixth highest on test.

Aside from some 2017 updates including the latest SYNC3 infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the biggest difference in 2018 is the addition of a factory optional Track Pack, which promises sharper handling from a sportier suspension tune in conjunction with the standard Pirelli P Zero rubber.

Performance capabilities aside, the Mustang’s appealing mix of old and new design and technology, delivers a level of engagement different from any other ABDC contender.

What’s under the bonnet?

Among the 14-strong ABDC field, the ‘Stang had most in common with the Lexus LC 500, the only other two door, rear-drive, nat-atmo V8; although the Japanese sporty proved quicker in a straight line, light years ahead in technology and cost around three times as much.

Matched to the short-shift six-speed manual ‘box, the Ford 5.0-litre V8 puts out peak power at 6500rpm and peak torque at 4250rpm but there’s enough torque low-down to keep it in third or even fourth gears in most corners, adding to the relaxed albeit exhilarating demeanour.

>>Get all the 2018 Australia's Best Driver's Car results here

Paul Gover described it as “lazy in every way, ponderous at times, but the V8 grunt and note compensates”, but the end result was a 98 RON diet of relatively low 18.4L/100km average, making it the fifth most frugal on test.

The Track Pack combined with sticky 255/40 tyres on 19x9.0-inch rims at the front and wider 9.5-inch rims with 275/40 tyres on the back, talkative electrically-assisted steering and meaty, all-ventilated disc brakes, helped the Mustang “point and grip like a proper sports couple,” according to Matt Brogan, and few judges disagreed.

Although some weren’t fans of Ford’s SYNC3 touchscreen, at least it was user-friendly like the rest of the cockpit layout, that’s sprinkled with retro touches like chrome toggle switches. “You feel good just sitting in it,” said Feann Torr.

How does it perform?

In contrast to the tail-happy ‘Stang on slipperier Tassie slopes at ABDC 2016, the Mustang felt more at home on the drier mountain roads of ABDC 2018, barely screeching the tyres let alone calling in the electronic nannies unless seriously provoked.

Still more Grand Tourer than sports car, and with a preference for flowing corners over tighter hairpins, the Mustang’s sharp turn-in and flat cornering impressed the judges, as did the relatively smooth ride.

However, it couldn’t quite deliver the snappy gear changes of the Mazda MX-5 or Honda Civic Type R; match the ballistic BMW M5 or Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ in the straights, or camouflage its weight like the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV or Audi RS 5 quattro.

The Mustang was seventh fastest on the dragstrip (14.432sec to 400m) and eighth fastest around Winton – though only tenths of a second behind the razor-sharp Civic Type R and ferocious LC 500.

Luke Youlden labelled it a “surprise package” on the track; mostly criticising some notchy gear changes and a lack of speed in the straights.

“It’s got really good turn-in, really responsive in the front and really good traction too. It just handles well,” he said.

Is it worth the asking price?

The optional Track Pack ($4209 fitted) and Triple Yellow paintwork ($500) bumped the price of the Mustang GT manual to $62,199. That made it the eighth cheapest car on test, sitting between the budget Japanese sporties and big-ticket Europeans.

It’s raft of standard features including powered adjustable leather driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, sat nav, smart phone app connectivity, rear camera, tyre pressure monitor, and ‘Pony’ puddle lamps help justify the asking price. But the ‘Stang’s two-star ANCAP safety rating at a time when anything less than five stars is below par, doesn’t really cut it.

A three-year/100,000km warranty period and 12-month/15,000km service intervals are also nothing special, and family buyers will be disappointed with the cramped 2+2 layout and average-sized boot.

What do the judges think?

‘Surprising’ was the word most used by the judging panel when summing up the Mustang GT. Full of praise, Marton Pettendy said “it goes as good as it looks… V8 sounds brilliant…”

For Bruce Newton, it was the “best Mustang I have sampled”, and he praised its “cohesive handling, [and] light yet accurate steering” as well as its ability to deliver “more traction than you’d expect”.

The Mustang’s meaty brakes were also appreciated on the trickier downhill mountain passes. “Brakes are very strong and do a great job of slowing the big bumble bee time and time again,” commented Randy Stagno-Navarra.

However, others pointed out the car’s more clunky aspects, from the stout gearbox and heavy clutch to some heaviness in the front end when pushing hard. “Always feels big,” was a typical comment.

The Mustang was marked highest under ‘X factor’; the retro cues tugging at the heartstrings even before the starter button was pressed. “Gotta love a car that has “Ground Speed’ on its speedo,” commented Glenn Ridge.

In the end, another mid-to-lower-order finish for the V8-powered Mustang highlighted not just the strength of the competition but the fact that it remains a very good, but not great, driver’s car.

Update, May 30: In the week after testing the Mustang, Ford announced a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty applicable to all models, including the Mustang, with effect from May 1, 2018.

Revisit last years action with ABDC 2017

2018 Ford Mustang GT Track Pack pricing and specifications:

Price: $62,199 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 306kW/530Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 13.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 305g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Two-star ANCAP

2018 Ford Mustang GT Track Pack performance figures (as tested):

0-100km/h: 6.6sec
0-400m: 14.432sec @ 139.869km/h
Lap time: 1:38.496sec