Ford brands Mustang with price tag

Ford has announced a UK price for the Mustang coupe which suggests that Irish models will be fighting right in the heart of the premium (largely German) coupe segment. The UK starting price of £28,995 for the 314hp 2.3-litre EcoBoost version would indicate that the Irish basic price should be in the region of €45,000 – that would put it soak up against the likes of the the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series. Those cars can only offer a 2.0-litre diesel engine for that price though, with a power output of around 180hp and while those cars carry obvious tax advantages, they may not have the star power of the Mustang.

The Mustang will also be pretty well equipped compared to its German rivals. As standard it will have 19-inch wheels, a performance brake package, automatic HID xenon headlamps, LED tail lamps, and a rear diffuser. Further standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, a nine-speaker sound system, and Ford's SYNC 2 voice controlled infotainment system with an eight-inch colour touch screen.

"There's never been a better time to introduce this iconic car across Europe. All-new Ford Mustang is the most modern, technologically advanced and forward-looking Mustang in the amazing history of the marque," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. "Being able to specify a Mustang that reflects your individual character has always been a key part of the model's appeal. With our new app, customers will be able to see exactly how the all-new Mustang could look outside their house, and as a part of their life."

Ford says that the first 500 Mustangs offered to European customers as part of a promotional tie-in with the UEFA Champions' League final in 2014 were snapped up in just 30 seconds, with almost 10,000 people trying to get them. One Mustang has already received a firm order in Ireland, but Ford Ireland expects to do considerably better than that once the car physically arrives here in the summer.

Perhaps petrol prices have fallen at just the right time?