2016 Ford Mustang GT Fastback manual review | road test video

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the 2016 Ford Mustang GT Fastback manual with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

We still can't believe you can go down to your Ford dealer and order a Mustang for about the same price as your average family car, and even the V8 is pretty incredibly priced. The V8 GT is easily the best fit for the Mustang legend, so we've spent a bit more time with the manual coupe to see what it's like to live with.

A naturally aspirated V8 manual coupe is pretty much the antithesis of modern mainstream motoring, as most of us are looking for fuel efficiency, ease of driving and practicality to help us live our hectic lives. But the Mustang is different. From the badge back, it's a symbol of freedom and a carefree existence that's pretty hard not to get hooked on.

However, older Mustangs that only came here as converted imports blended this symbolism with cheap, low tech underpinnings and a pricetag that would otherwise buy you a big German luxury car.

The new sixth-generation is the first to be built in right hand drive from the factory, which has helped bring the price right back down to reality.

It's also been designed for markets around the world, so brings the latest Ford tech like MyKey and the excellent Sync2 multimedia system.

The inside is full of the expected retro details, and while it's no Audi, the material quality is better than you'd expect for a US product.

Getting into the back seat is a bit fiddly, and there's really no legroom at all behind drivers above six foot.
-But if you're shorter, you can fit 2 short adults back here, but you'd want to be easy on the speedbumps.

The boot is a bit of a surprise, with enough room for The CarsGuide Pram plus enough luggage for a weekend away for two, which expands even further with the back seat split-folding 50/50.

Unlike the turbocharged four-cylinder Mustang EcoBoost, the V8 GT's mechanical package is pretty simple by modern standards. The 5.0-litre V8 (306kW/530Nm) is naturally aspirated, without direct injection but somehow it manages to make more power than the 6.2-litre V8 in the Commodore.

As a result it's pretty damn quick (Claimed 0-100km/h in 4.8s), and the V8 makes a great noise. It's reasonably quiet at low throttle, but makes a great V8 roar when you're pushing it.

It's actually quite a nice handler too, helped by the fact that it's finally got independent rear suspension, but it sits nice and low with taught dampers and surprisingly good steering feel, and it stops well too, with 6 spot Brembo brakes on the front.

We covered several hundred kilometres of mixed driving conditions, and it's pretty easy to live with for a high performance coupe.

The gearshift isn't as heavy as you'd expect and there's a short and well-defined throw.

We did see the claimed combined figure (Official combined: 13.1L/100km) climb to nearly 20 litres per hundred with some enjoyment of the V8, but it's still better than a big performance SUV.

The Mustang V8 manual coupe may drink a lot, feel a bit cheap around the edges and be a bit cosy on the inside, but it's by far the best Mustang they've ever made, and there's nothing on four wheels that feels as special for anywhere near the money.

[jaceacekalgoorlie]

you say we can go down to your local ford dealer and buy a mustang. Dead wrong. you can go down to your ford dealer and order one, then wait a fuckin year to get it. Big difference. I would buy one tomorrow if they were in the dealers yard, but I'm not waiting a year.

[aaliaasim]

Why am I listening to this guy speaking with the elevator music and not the actual sound of it driving?

[paulstevenson]

Spend a bit more time in the gym and you will have a lot more credibility!