Ford’s new Mustang set to ride into Ireland

It's the world's most 'liked' vehicle on Facebook, and with more than nine million sold since it was first launched in 1964, the Mustang has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games. It just hasn't featured on this side of the Atlantic too often. That's all about to change.

Now Ford is bringing its Mustang to Europe. The iconic muscle car is due to arrive in Irish showrooms in 2015 in right-hand drive.

Unveiled today at a launch event in Barcelona - part of a six city global event - the latest Ford muscle car is a marked improvement on previous generations of the blue collar poster car. That, it seems, is why the US auto giant is confident it will credibly compete on European and Asian markets, not just on its heritage but on its own ability.

Though they have yet to describe it as such, this new Mustang is clearly hoping to garner the sort of popularity in Europe that the brand enjoyed decades ago with the Capri.

To do that it needs more than straight-line muscle car grunt; while the presentation today is a static launch, most car fans will be wondering about the car’s handling ability on twisting European roads. The good news is that not only does it get a new multi-link independent rear suspension set-up but also an engineering team that worked on the Mondeo, regarded as the best handling family car on the market.

The new Mustang will, of course, be offered with a 5-litre V8, in keeping with its hardcore image, but for European buyers there will also be a new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.

"This EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for easy passing or hustling down a twisty road," said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer.

The Mustang’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging putting out more than 305bhp and 407 Nm of torque.

The car also features a new Drive Mode selector that can be adjusted depending on road conditions or the driver’s preference at a given time.

"Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonate with people, even if they've never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car - it is the heart and soul of Ford."

The new Mustang is one of 25 new vehicles that Ford will launch in Europe in the next five years.

Also on show at Ford’s ’Go Further’ event today is a concept version of the next Ka. When it goes on sale in 2015 this will be the first time the city car will be sold globally.

Similar global introductions are set for Ford’s large family hatchback/people carrier, the Edge. Currently on sale in the US it will come to Ireland in 2015 when the facelifted version on show here enters production.

The launches signal a new effort to globalise its model range, fulfilling the “One Ford” ethos instilled by current chief executive Alan Mulally. Rumours persist that Mulally may be in line for the Microsoft job to replace Steve Ballmer, but clearly Ford, and its chairman Bill Ford, are determined to see the strategy through.

The savings are obvious for the firm and the latest global offensive by Ford comes on the same day that General Motors announced it was axing its Chevrolet brand from Europe in yet another strategic u-turn by the other big US auto giant.

We will have more details on future models in reports this afternoon.