The Goodwood Test: Ford Mustang Convertible

Heritage

When people refer to cars as being an instant hit, they should really be using the Mustang as a yardstick. It was, after all, ordered by more than 22,000 people within 24 hours of going on sale, a feat made all the more remarkable by the fact it happened in 1964. Talk of Mustangs and you might think of great design at affordable prices; of racing versions driven by Carroll Shelby; of prowling San Francisco streets in Bullitt; or simply as a reference in so many hit songs. True, there have been plenty of bad Mustangs as well as the good ones, but with this latest model, Ford is well and truly back on track.

Not only is it the best Mustang yet, but also the first to be officially sold in Europe. In taking that step, Ford has opened another chapter in the life of a car whose place in automotive history is as deeply rooted as any other’s.

Design

Most remember the reborn Volkswagen Beetle and BMW-era Mini as the stars of the trend for retro car design, but Ford played its part too, with both the GT supercar of 2004 and the Mustang of 2005. What’s so impressive is that the long bonnet, square-nose and three-bar rear lights of today’s car look every bit as appropriate as they did on the 1960s original, augmented now with a more tapered line to the electrically folding fabric roof, plus the obligatory bling 19-inch wheels. The interior continues the retro meets modern theme, most notably in how the large touchscreen sits above a row of silver toggle switches.

Performance

Mustangs weren’t always terribly quick, but these new models certainly are. Even the entry-level 2.3-litre Ecoboost produces in excess of 300bhp from four turbocharged cylinders, while the 5.0-litre V8 thumps out 409bhp. True, swapping the Fastback’s fixed roof for a folding soft-top adds to the kerb weight, but with the latest Mustang designed to be a convertible from the start, the 60kg penalty isn’t as great as you might expect.

Put the pedal to the metal in either model and the bonnet gently rises as the Mustang surges forward, more like a powerboat than a car. With the roof lowered, the wind gently blowing around your neck, and the open road yours for the taking, it’s not difficult to see the appeal of a Mustang Convertible, even if rivals are ultimately sharper to drive.

Passion

Despite its illustrious reputation, the Mustang has not always been the embodiment of automotive passion it might appear, with Ford arguably relying too heavily on the car’s reputation in the 1980s and ’90s, rather than striving to be the best. However, 9 million sales over a life spanning more than 50 years can’t be wrong, and in its latest guise, it’s clear this pony has weathered the storm and emerged fitter than ever. Most impressive of all is that despite the passing years and vastly better performance, the Mustang Convertible remains true to the ethos of the original, offering plenty of performance for a price that puts it within reach of those who might only otherwise be able to dream of owning a supercar.

Price tag of our car £39,525 (2.3 Ecoboost manual)