South Africans will soon be able to get their hands on the seventh-generation Ford Mustang, with the new muscle car scheduled to go on sale in October.

Just one model will be offered initially, with the Mustang GT Fastback 5.0L V8 listed at R1,300,000. The more ferocious Mustang Dark Horse is expected to reach local shores later in 2024.

Although it is still available with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine overseas, Ford SA has thankfully opted to stick with the V8-only policy for our market - because why would you want anything else in a Mustang?

Ford has also made it easier to appease those friends and onlookers who want you to give it a good rev. Now you can do so remotely via the key fob while the car is parked thanks to a new Remote Rev function.

An updated Coyote V8 provides the power. Picture: Supplied

In the SA-spec Mustang GT, the updated 5.0-litre normally aspirated Coyote V8 is tuned to 328kW and 540Nm. That’s 2kW less but 11Nm more than the current iteration musters.

Power goes to the back wheels only through a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which reconfigures its shift patterns to match the selected Drive Mode.

Speaking of which, there are six modes to choose from - Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track and Custom, with the latter allowing for up to six individual profiles.

What’s more, the GT Performance Pack comes standard in South Africa, adding some sporty features to the mix like a Torsen limited slip differential, MagneRide active suspension, wider wheels and larger Brembo brakes, measuring 390mm upfront and 355mm at the back.

While the mechanical hand brake falls away, Ford has replaced it with an electronic ‘drift brake’ engineered “for novice drivers to learn and improve their drift skills while also providing expert drivers with a competition-ready system.”

Just be sure to try it out in a safe spot..

All-new high-tech cabin

While the exterior is a more chiselled evolution of the outgoing Mustang’s sheet metal, the cabin is a more radical departure with a new dual-screen that combines a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster with a 13.2-inch Sync 4 central infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.

The configurable instrument screen is based on the same Unreal Engine 3D creation tool used in modern video games, designed to dazzle drivers with real-time graphical renderings.

Like it or not, the Mustang is moving with the big-screen times. Picture: Supplied

Standard features in the Mustang GT include a 12-speaker B&O sound system, wireless phone charging pad, dual-zone climate control and Black Onyx leather seats with heating and cooling up front.

The GT also comes with the usual modern complement of driver assist features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Centering Assist, Evasive Steer Assist and Reverse Brake Assist.

IOL Motoring