Ford Mustang GT: Born to race

With ravishing good looks and speed to burn, the Ford Mustang GT is a perfect fit for the race track

Sometimes the stars fall in line and you experience luck like never before. That's exactly how I felt sitting behind the wheel of America's iconic muscle car, the Ford Mustang, at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. India, for now, will have to just do with a single variant of the Mustang, with a 5.0L V8 petrol engine, churning out a 395.5 hp of peak power and a peak torque of 515 Nm.

The modern version has retained the essential characteristics of the iconic Mustang of the years gone by. The long-sculpted bonnet and short rear deck still evoke nostalgic memories of the Mustang's glorious past. On the front is an emblem of the Mustang wild, which defines the born-free character of this vehicle.

The two-door coupe looks stunning from all sides. The front has the signature shark-bite front fascia and trapezoidal grille with the emblem of the Mustang horse in silver adding character to the car. The rear is three-dimensional and alluringly aggressive; the tri-bar tail lamps give it a shark teeth-like look. Though the car comes with seating for four adults, the truth is that the Mustang is shaped more in favour of the front two seats. The longish bonnet, the short rear, and a tight passenger compartment makes the Mustang look aggressive and bold.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Mustang has undergone some significant changes. It's got a lower and wider stance for which the roof height has has been decreased. The windshield and the rear glass are more steeply sloped, and the interiors have been designed keeping in mind the comfort of the driver. A large, high-definition display screen puts vehicle information right in front of the driver, with tactile switches and knobs improving ergonomics and providing better control. The six-way power-adjustable leather-trimmed driver and front passenger seats in the Mustang are heated and cooled. The boot space, however, is limited. Press the start/stop button on the dash and off you go. The throaty noise is a fair indiacation of the Mustang's beastly intentions.

The car comes loaded with a variety of driver mode options. These include normal, sport+, track mode and snow/wet. Paddle shifters should best be used in the sport+ mode and the track mode if you want to get a bit more power out of the car. On the circuit, with the track mode on, driving the Mustang was a breeze. With right kind of braking and acceleration, I realised the car showed its predictable wheel control. With new fully-independent front and rear suspension systems, driving the Mustang is a divine pleasure.

The new Ford Mustang also comes with an electronic line-lock - which automatically locks the front brakes and releases the rears so you can spin and heat up the rear tyres. Loads of fun for the rich blokes, I guess!

FORD MUSTANG GT

Engine: 4,951cc Ti-VCT V8 petrol
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Power: 395.5 hp@ 6,500 +-50 rpm
Torque: 515 Nm @ 4,250 +- 50rpm
Maximum speed (km/h) / fuel tank capacity: 250 kmph/ 60.9 litres
Price: Rs 65 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)