Prepare to re-set your views on sports coupe value for money.

The sixth generation version of Ford’s iconic Mustang gets proper right hand drive engineering and the choice of both coupe and Convertible bodystyles. It goes large on power too, bringing a super-sized 418PS powerplant in full-fat 5.0-litre V8 guise or one with 314PS in more economical 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo form. With prices from around £31,000, similarly powerful European performance cars look hopelessly over-priced.

The EcoBoost variant will get to 62mph in a mere 5.5 seconds in six-speed manual guise. There’s also a six-speed auto option. In isolation that would be a very tempting proposition. Look at the ballistic 418PS V8 version though and your resolve might weaken. This demolishes the benchmark sprint in just 4.8 seconds and sounds immeasurably better.

In the metal, this sixth-generation Mustang is lower and wider than its predecessor. It’s still a fairly conservative all-steel unitary creation though and it is a bit disappointing that it’s slightly heavier than before. The cabin isn’t going to have the likes of Audi and Mercedes reaching for their drawing boards anytime soon, but a Mustang needs to feel like a Mustang; a proper blue-collar, hairy-chested people’s sports car. Equipment across all models includes 19-inch wheels, a performance brake package, automatic HID xenon headlamps, LED tail lamps and a rear diffuser.

You won’t be surprised to hear that the base £31,000 price applies to the 2.3-litre EcoBoost ‘Fastback’ coupe manual version; for a 5.0-litre V8 Fastback coupe GT manual model, the starting price would be around £35,000. It’s also worth pointing out that Mustangs aren’t sold at every one of the Blue Oval maker’s dealerships. You’ll find this sportscar only in the showrooms of the company’s premium ‘Ford Store’ locations. At this model’s launch, there were 70 of these, enough, says the brand, to ensure that 90% of the population will be with an hour’s drive of one.

Overall, it’s not sophisticated, it’s not beautiful and it’s not backwards about coming forwards. But it’s a Mustang and the people who’ll love the thing would have it no other way.

  • CAR: Ford Mustang
  • PRICES: £30,995 - £39,995
  • INSURANCE GROUP: 41E-46E
  • CO2 EMISSIONS: [EcoBoost manual coupe] 179g/km
  • PERFORMANCE: [V8 manual] 0-60 4.8s / top speed 155mph
  • FUEL CONSUMPTION: [EcoBoost manual coupe] (combined) 35.3mpg
  • STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Seven airbags, stability control, ABS with EBA and EBD
  • WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4784/1916/1381