Ford
The indomitable Ford Mustang, bringer of power to the masses, has successfully taken over the world once again as 2019 marks the fifth consecutive year the Mustang has been the best selling two-door sports car in the world — coupes and convertibles included. My sincerest congratulations to the Ford Mustang.
The news comes via a Ford press release, which reports the Mustang sold 102,090 units globally last year, according to IHS Markit's most recent new-vehicle registration data. Most of the demand, it seems, came from here in the US, where 72,489 Mustangs sold domestically. But in particular, German sales increased 33%, Polish sales increased almost 50% and French sales nearly doubled.
Guess the Mustang is really something the Europeans want.
Jokes aside, it really doesn't come as a surprise to me that the car is so popular. The current-gen Mustang is not only one of the best-looking in decades, but it's also objectively a good car. It has back seats that aren't tiny. It has a big trunk. It's comfortable to drive. And there are more variations to choose from than ever. People love choices, and the Mustang gives them many.
Mustangs are also available at very reasonable price points. You get a lot of car in return for what you pay for.
Here are some of the best new Mustangs I've driven.
Anyone who gives you grief about the four-cylinder Mustang because of the old trope that all American muscle cars need to have V8s doesn't know what they're missing out on.
Because a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine is inherently lighter than a big and heavy V8, the four-banger Mustang has more communicative steering over its V8 brethren. There's just so much less weight sitting over the front axle.
The result is a car that feels much smaller to drive than it actually is. It's agile and darty and plenty quick, especially when you get it with the High Performance Pack engine and the optional handling package. That gives you a fancy suspension system, a limited-slip rear axle, and a set of sticky summer tires.
Either the 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual will do here, but it's also great to have the option.
The Ford Mustang is also one of the last cars you can get with a naturally aspirated V8 — a V8 that makes 460 horsepower, by the way. And with a starting price of $35,630, the Mustang GT represents a true democratization of power. You don't need to spend a disgusting amount of money on something European to get big power anymore.
The Mustang GT comes with all sorts of options, as well as a manual transmission. My advice? Spring for the Performance Pack 2. It's offered exclusively for GTs with the six-speed and you get a lowered stance, a black rear spoiler, improved steering, 19-inch wheels, a widened front splitter, and a set of performance tires.
Anyone who's seen Steve McQueen's detective thriller "Bullitt" will be familiar with a dark-green Mustang. The modern tribute is painted in that shade of green, has 20 extra horsepower over a normal Mustang GT, and includes a bunch of performance bits from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.
What is a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350? That's next.
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