Back on June 16 Hong Kong saw the official comeback of Ford’s Mustang in
factory-original, street-legal right-hand drive guise, courtesy of Future Motors, Inchcape's dealership arm for Ford in town.
Introduced and
market-deployed since 1964, not all global markets have benefited from this
American pony car classic. Only the
first generation was offered in town back in the 1960s, but the subsequent
left-hand drive-only generations didn’t.
Overseas markets such as Australia
did however benefit from a very limited number of RHD Mustangs during the
2000s, as a result of third-party RHD conversions from the original LHD specs,
which has rendered the vehicle pricing very high. Such example, according to reports, has been
spotted on HK soil some years ago.
Finally, after years of
waiting, the S550
sixth-gen becomes the first US-manufactured (Flat Rock, MI) Ford export in
the local vehicle lineup (with other models manufactured in Germany, Spain, Thailand etc.).
It’s not hard to figure out not
every USDM feature would carry over to export specs. For instance, no basic 305hp V6 versions and top-spec Shelby GT350/R variants are being offered, limiting such lineup to just the
2.3 EcoBoost and 5.0 GT, with the UK, where the Mustang is on high demand, getting
the most comprehensive range, in both Fastback and Convertible, and in both 6MT
or 6AT. However, Asia-bound models,
including HK and the LHD Taiwan models, are currently only offered in Fastback
with 6AT. Nevertheless, kudos to the local
dealership side which took endless efforts dealing with FMC to ensure the HK market
gets it, even though it means vehicle deployment has been pushed back to some
six months from late 2015.
Pre-sales reception has been
very positive, with some 100 pre-orders being tallied since last year and the
first shipment consisting of some 40-50 units, with the GT model being more preferred
among true enthusiasts. Any current
orders are likely to be fulfilled and delivered by the fourth quarter later
this year.
Powerplant, chassis and packages
As with all export variants,
the HKDM Mustang carries different engine tunes from the USDM specs. The EcoBoost I-4 outputs 317hp and ~44kgfm of
torque, while the GT’s 4OHC, NA Coyote V8 punches out 416hp and 54kgfm, despite
detuned from the original 441hp (435hp SAE).
Combined fuel economies under Euro 6 are 10.2km/L and 7.8km/L respectively. Both run on front MacPherson strut and rear
integral-link independent suspensions, the latter a welcoming replacement to the
solid rear live axle in previous generations.
(Seriously, could a solid rear axle ever survive the local HK road surfaces?)
Both models come bundled
with auxiliary performance packages which include larger radiator, various
chassis reinforcements, unique chassis tuning and recalibrated vehicle dynamics
settings, upgraded front brakes (4-piston front calipers on the EcoBoost and
6-piston front Brembo calipers on the GT), 19” summer tyres with black-painted
alloys (mixed size on the GT), and a limited-slip 3.55:1 final drive ratio. Track Apps are also included, but the GT features
an additional electronic line-lock for track use; although, the launch control
app is only available with 6MT models.
Brief up-close
The RHD Mustang’s interior
almost mirrors the LHD configuration, except for the front bonnet opening lever
which doesn’t get relocated to the driver’s side. The interior is indeed decently equipped, albeit
with minor exceptions. The centre stack
consists of the 8” touchscreen display with Ford’s Sync2 system (Sync3 in the US as of 2016),
complete with single-disc CD player, USB jacks and SD card slot, and a premium
Shaker 9-speaker system with amplifier.
No nav module or upgraded 12-speaker Shaker Pro sound system are available for HKDM, but the stock specs are good enough; although, Ford could have replaced the simplified Chinese menu GUI with the traditional Chinese variant present in Taiwan-bound models (hey Ford, this is NOT the mainland!).
Meanwhile, the
leather-wrapped steering wheel comes with various satellite switches but is
quite oversized, needs better and metallic-feel shift paddles (rather than the
stock diminutive plastic type), and lacks a D-shaped flat-bottomed design. Also, standard perforated leather upholstery
in either all-black or black/brown is overshadowed by lack of front seat
heating/ventilating functions included in original specs. Not a big deal for HK, but still preferred if
available.
Rear seating seems a bit
more problematic than expected. The
50/50 split-folding via the side nylon loops seems a bit too flimsy in
operation. The seat bottoms are too deep
to our taste, and the interior headroom, despite without the moonroof (n/a for
HKDM), is still very limited. But this
is a coupe – not a wagon – so there's not much to complain. Rear occupant entry/exit is more confusing though,
as we can’t find any auxiliary switches that help rear occupants slide the
front seats with ease, unlike on the BMW and Lexus coupe models (2/4-Series and
RC). There are some pull handles on the
rear of the front seatbacks and headrests, but MGJMW didn’t have enough time to
familiarise with them. Meanwhile, rear
legroom is just a bit more than on the RC – if you know what we mean. Also the manual front seatbelt feed system, which
consists of a push-button loop handle, cannot ensure quick and effective
seatbelts alignment in short time.
Lastly, another minor cosmetic complaint: those Euro-spec number plate brackets should not have existed in Asia specs. Retention of the front bracket is fine, although a swap with the USBM/JDM-sized variant would be ideal. But the rear? That thick black plate grossly affects vehicular aesthetic and thus should've been long gone, so customers can freely choose between Euro or JDM plate size installation, with the latter recommended since it roughly confirms to the US style. (Note: JDM plate size is slightly larger than USDM's, and HKDM "square-spec" plate size conforms more to the JDM, albeit a tad larger in some cases.)
Seems good, and the price?
As of June 2016 the HKDM
Mustang EcoBoost and GT retail at HK$599k and $728k respectively, with extended
warranties and special colours (Triple/Speed Yellow Tri-coat or Ruby Red
Metallic) being the only options. Local
press testing has been completed on the GT, but not the EcoBoost, where no samples could still be loaned out for such purpose. Also, there’s speculation (citing unconfirmed
sources) that a limited number of 6MT GT offerings may be available in town by
end of the year, which, if materialised, would mean good news to prospective buyers who are dying for the manual. Click here for current local model specs.
So what’s next from Ford HK?
After the Mustang comes the
"Made In Germany" Focus RS, which since early July made a low-key appearance in the
showroom. But don’t expect any local
test reports shortly as no samples are available for press testing, so MGJMW
was told. With 350hp, advanced 4WD tech, 6MT and specific driving modes, the vehicle is decently equipped down to the right Recaro sports
seats, although the bundled moonroof could’ve and should’ve been optional. Pre-orders actually commenced since early last year
so customers who ponied up the deposit will finally get their hands on this
soon.
The vehicle currently retails at $539k, with limited stocks available (fifteen-ish, we've been told). For HKDM specs, click here.
(July 15 update) MGJMW recently revisited the showroom for another look at the RS. No popping of the hood for engine inspection, but at least a brief interior and exterior walk-through.
Overall decent interior with brightly-lit driver gauges, decent centre stack with Sync2 screen, CD player, dual-zone ACC and so on. The Recaro front shell seats, though great to look at, do feel a bit too tight for mid-size drivers and also does not allow for auxiliary adjustment controls, while a higher driving position is also a concern. Rear seating is also so-so, with just standard 60/40 split fold and no centre armrest whatsoever. Could be better, but nevertheless not much to complain here. Moonroof again is standard in the HKDM spec, but at least its sunshade is of the traditional solid type, not the mesh type used on most panoramic roofs. But do away with the roof, and the price could even lower a bit to attract more crowd.
Nevertheless, a bigger issue is the de-emphasis of the rear brakes, which are of solid disc type only, NOT the ventilated variant most are expecting. The sales rep claims such arrangement is more than enough on the RS, but we have our doubts. This is not the old-school 80-90s: for a modern-age hot hatch with 350hp and 4WD, good and confident stopping power is an absolute must. Which means for the rear brakes, in addition to larger ventilated discs, Brembo calipers -- as with the front brakes -- are also desired. A little heavier in dry weight, but a little more confidence in stopping power without brake fading at the most crucial moments, how about that?
Perhaps a little appeal to FMC: will you folks consider upgrading the RS' brakes for the MY2017 model? Also, simplifying the steps on activating Launch Control would also be highly suggested.
The vehicle currently retails at $539k, with limited stocks available (fifteen-ish, we've been told). For HKDM specs, click here.
(July 15 update) MGJMW recently revisited the showroom for another look at the RS. No popping of the hood for engine inspection, but at least a brief interior and exterior walk-through.
Overall decent interior with brightly-lit driver gauges, decent centre stack with Sync2 screen, CD player, dual-zone ACC and so on. The Recaro front shell seats, though great to look at, do feel a bit too tight for mid-size drivers and also does not allow for auxiliary adjustment controls, while a higher driving position is also a concern. Rear seating is also so-so, with just standard 60/40 split fold and no centre armrest whatsoever. Could be better, but nevertheless not much to complain here. Moonroof again is standard in the HKDM spec, but at least its sunshade is of the traditional solid type, not the mesh type used on most panoramic roofs. But do away with the roof, and the price could even lower a bit to attract more crowd.
Nevertheless, a bigger issue is the de-emphasis of the rear brakes, which are of solid disc type only, NOT the ventilated variant most are expecting. The sales rep claims such arrangement is more than enough on the RS, but we have our doubts. This is not the old-school 80-90s: for a modern-age hot hatch with 350hp and 4WD, good and confident stopping power is an absolute must. Which means for the rear brakes, in addition to larger ventilated discs, Brembo calipers -- as with the front brakes -- are also desired. A little heavier in dry weight, but a little more confidence in stopping power without brake fading at the most crucial moments, how about that?
Perhaps a little appeal to FMC: will you folks consider upgrading the RS' brakes for the MY2017 model? Also, simplifying the steps on activating Launch Control would also be highly suggested.
