19 August 2014

Ford begins testing first right-hand-drive Mustang

Ford Motor Co has begun testing the first prototype of the right-hand-drive Mustang, writes Trish Whelan.

Their engineers recently finished building the handmade prototype which will be used in various developmental tests in the coming months.

The redesigned 2015 Mustang was developed to sell more widely in global markets for the first time.

Until now, the Mustang has been a left-hand-drive vehicle only, designed and manufactured primarily to sell in its home North American market.

The first right-hand-drive Mustangs will go on sale sometime in the first half of next year after the home market launch this Autumn. All Mustangs will be made in Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan, assembly plant.

The RHD version is part of Ford's effort to globalise its iconic pony car which will sell in more than 120 countries, including 56 new left-hand-drive markets and 25 right-hand-drive countries including the UK, Australia and South Africa.

For the 50th anniversary of its launch, Ford redesigned the Mustang with features that would make it more appealing to customers around the world. Among those are an independent rear suspension and a 2.3, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

It will go on sale here in Ireland next year and across Europe for the first time in the car's history.