I'm a bit disappointed.

[eldar]

OK,
I think its fair to update this. The slightly disappointed bit has gone now I've got to grips with this Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde car.

In Jekyll mode it is rather dull, quite quick and civilized. Certainly won't scare drivers of a nervous disposition too much. Excellent, if you like beige 4 door hatchbacks with the high-output 1.4l engine.

Now add a bit of excitement, more throttle, kickdown, sport+ and its better, much more so. Feels almost like a proper performance car, almost. From Beige to faded orange. Enough for inject some fear into your granny.

For those brave few, there is Mr Hyde mode. 4200RPM plus. Doesn't really matter if you leave it in auto or manual over ride, just don't turn off all the electronic aids on the road. That horsepower now makes its presence clear, and the real performance becomes apparent.

Bottom line, this car needs to be understood and treated with firmness. We're now mates

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[hinch]

its a typical muscle car despite the more modern engine etc it still needs to be beat on to get the best out of it but its worth noting that the stock tune ford put on it really doesn't do it any favours even a canned sct/steeda tune will wake it up get a proper tune either a yank remote tune or a uk based (there's a few now getting to grips with it) tune and it'll make it a totally different car

 

[Fatguy]

A few things about my car disappoint be a little. Rather more don't, so win so far.

Handling is way, way better than my previous Mustangs. Throwing away the live rear axle is a GOOD THING.

Build quality is OK, the fix-this-under-warranty list is commendably short and trivial. Also good.

LHD to RHD conversion is iffy, but understandable.

Touchscreen is shite. Really does need a alternative way of controlling the thing rather than vague left hand prodding.

OK, the above is just stuff, not a problem.

My gripe is performance. In Normal mode the engine feels like the flywheel is about 750KG, so slow to respond. Sport + reduces it to 500KG. Still dull. The 6 speed autobox is similarly pudding like.

Transmission in S and manual changing in Sport + seems to be the way to go. But throttle response is still a bit lumpen. It really doesn't feel like 415bhp car. Perhaps I'm expecting too much.

Unfortunately they don’t make them that responsive like the old push rod two valve engines were. GMs V8 motors in the Camaro and Corvette come closest to me. However, when the newness wears off and it becomes another car - assuming it’s a daily driver - you will appreciate the lower torque. You will want a quieter car. You will thank yourself that you kept the base suspension.

In a fit of road rage you may nail it and discover it actually has performance but that is a few and far between moment. I’m pushing 60 and every new car (including two 5.0s) went down this path. All cars get old, forgotten, as newer ones come out and then it is just another car.

Bottom line is enjoy the low torque. The engine was designed that way and trying to change that is pointless. If you want neck snapping performance get a Tesla. EV is the way. People actually scare themselves with even the base model’s off the line acceleration. I drove many experimental electric/hybrid cars and what people want is inconsistent with what they get in cars like the Mustang.


In the video below is a drag race between a GT and a Tesla Model 3 Sport. Check out how hard and fast that EV goes compared to the GT. That’s a .94G instantaneous shove back into your seat. I take it “that” is what you want.




Check out the video below of someone’s girlfriend trying out the Model 3. She screamed and her hand shakes uncontrollably... she even mentions her guts compressing when she hit the throttle. “THAT” - is what should be happening in the Mustang.





Now, an electric Mustang is in the works that will give all of you this. But I get nothing but agro on the main forums about talk of a EV Mustang. But EV performance is what they really want. Go figure... But at any rate I understand where you are coming from.

 

[SteveS]

There's one very obvious problem with this car though...instantaneous power notwithstanding...

 

[Fatguy]

There's one very obvious problem with this car though...instantaneous power notwithstanding...

I know - looks - but - I’m talking about the electric Mustang with that performance!

 

[SteveS]

I know - looks - but - I’m talking about the electric Mustang with that performance!

Yes, I imagine the performance will prove addictive for those that can deal with the concept of an electric/hybrid Mustang.

 

[Fatguy]

Yes, I imagine the performance will prove addictive for those that can deal with the concept of an electric/hybrid Mustang.

The thing is you will literally have to drag long time Mustang guys into the new EV Mustangs. Three minutes later the car will be sold ...

 

[Manders Mustang]

i understand sound and visceral emotion, but you can not deny the impending doom of a gasoline car if >THIS< kind of thing is the future of modern automobiles. Fucking hell.

The thing is you will literally have to drag long time Mustang guys into the new EV Mustangs. Three minutes later the car will be sold ...

 

[CaptainSensible]

If you want more low down punch it's also worth looking at the Ford Performance Power Pack 1 or 2. By all accounts both add a big dollop of low down torque, and some top end power.

I fully agree with you that the engine is quite lazy at low revs, so I'm saving up for the Power Pack 2 which should really wake it up.

 

[Fatguy]

There's one very obvious problem with this car though...instantaneous power notwithstanding...

Well it appears that Ford has an answer to that:

 

[hinch]

oh look a mondeo with a horse on the front.

 

[SteveS]

oh look a mondeo with a horse on the front.

And i'd take a Mondeo's looks over that Tesla any day
It might not immediately look like the Mustang we know and love (since late 2014) but without seeing the rest of the car it's not possible to love or hate it.

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