Published:
26 June 2024The big change inside is that the traditional double-cowled analogue instrumentation has been digitised. But the double-brow dashboard, body-hugging sports seats and thick-rimmed steering wheel remain, so S550-gen owners will feel instantly familiar with it.
All UK cars will come with a dashboard-width digital display running Ford's latest Sync 4 software. It combines a 12.3in instrument cluster and a 13.2in infotainment screen and can receive over-the-air software updates. Too modern? Just switch those new graphics for a recreation of the clocks from the 1979 Fox-body Mustang.
Below the screen sits a row of shortcut buttons for de-fogging the windows, turning off traction control and - rejoice - a simple knob for stereo volume. The gear shifter in manual cars feels tactile to hold too - especially the solid metal knob fitted to the Dark Horse variant - with a satisfyingly short, sharp and mechanical throw. Even the automatic retains a chunky lever.
Fit and finish are quite good. The controls and buttons feel sturdy enough, well-damped and evidently on the receiving end of some real attention to ergonomics, with a traditional-style handbrake lever (even though it is electronic), a button to turn off lane keep assist mounted on the steering wheel, and the gearstick sited close to your thigh.
The infotainment itself is generally fine to use. It's easy enough to get used to, thanks in part to being powered by the Unreal Engine developed for advanced console games. The only lag it presents is when you ask it to cycle between different driving modes in quick succession - you can blame a slightly over-the-top accompanying animation for this.
