Ford took the opportunity at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show to confirm that a European version of the 2014/2015 Ford Mustang will be offered for sale across the pond, except it will be sold with a 4-cylinder 2.3-litre turbocharged engine. This is the first time in six generations that the Ford Mustang will officially be sold in the U.K. and Europe. Does this mean it could be coming to South Africa as well?
You may imagine that a Ford Mustang without its V8 engine is a bit neutered, we’d probably agree with you, except we’ve also sampled the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in the new Ford Fiesta and the 2.0-litre in the new Ford Focus ST and we know you need not worry about power if that technology is in attendance.
The rumour first kicked off last October, but now confirmation of this fact is at hand from the Blue Oval. The standard V8 and a gutsier version of engine will still be available for buyers in the U.S. and more traditional Mustang markets, but the new 4-cylinder engine will be introduced to spread the Mustang’s appeal and potential market. The new 4-cylinder is based on the 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine used in the hot Ford Focus ST, but its output will increase from 184 kW to approximately 220 kW, according to insiders.
The 2011 Ford Evos Concept shown here is expected to be a source of inspiration for the new Mustang’s design. Under the new sheet metal, the current Mustang’s live rear axle suspension will make way for a fully independent setup and rear-wheel drive of course.
The redesigned sixth-generation Ford Mustang is slated to arrive (hopefully in South Africa too) in 2015. Most recently there has also been rumour that the self-same 2.3-litre turbo EcoBoost engine would be shared with the next-generation Ford Focus RS hot hatch. Now that sounds like a potent cocktail of power and performance to us!
