If you haven’t driven a Mustang for a while, I highly recommend you take one out for a spin. Not literally, the spin I mean, but then again it’s a lot more difficult to get the rear end sideways now…

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
GT trim adds an incredible performance boost to the otherwise relaxed Ford driving style. (Photo: Ford)

If you haven’t driven a Mustang for a while, I highly recommend you take one out for a spin. Not literally, the spin I mean, but then again it’s a lot more difficult to get the rear end sideways now that Ford has fitted a highly stable independent rear suspension (IRS) between the rear wheels. 

That change came as part of an exhaustive 2015 model year redesign, and the move caused a great deal of controversy amongst diehard Mustang fans that loved the lighter weight live rear axle and its benefit to drag racing, but for the majority of sports car fans, who’d rather go fast around corners instead of just in a straight line, it was a gift from the mechanical gods, or at least a bunch of blue-oval engineers. 

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
Ford makes a gorgeous Mustang Convertible, but for purists the Fastback is the only way to go. (Photo: Ford)

Rather than delve into just how good the Mustang’s handling became four years ago and how much better it drives since its most recent 2018 update in this “In Our Garage” segment, I’ll admit that it’s easily the best hooked up Mustang in history and, until my full road test review comes out, I’ll point you to an old road test of the 2015 Mustang GT Premium Convertible to learn how I felt about it when the IRS initially arrived, or you can reread my reviews of the 2016 Mustang Ecoboost Fastback, 2016 Mustang GT Convertible, and 2017 Mustang GT Convertible). 

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
The Mustang GT is almost ergonomically ideal, totally comfortable, filled with features and quite refined. (Photo: Ford)

Take note the 2018 model sees a new optional 10-speed automatic in both turbocharged 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder trims and 5.0-litre V8-powered GTs, the former of which I recently tested in Premium Fastback guise (review coming soon), while this GT, priced from $47,288, and the base Mustang, which starts at just $28,988, come with a six-speed manual gearbox (check CarCostCanada.com for all the trim, pricing and options details, plus rebate info and dealer invoice pricing). 

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
This fully digital colour TFT gauge cluster is an impressive new addition. (Photo: Ford)

Other 2018 updates include a meaner looking new grille that melds ideally with a more aggressive new hood, while stylish LED headlights are now standard across the entire line Mustang lineup. New LED taillights provide a fresh take on the Mustang’s classic triple vertical lens design, these underscored by a new bumper and lower fascia. 

A number of small changes improve the Mustang’s interior, highlighted by upgraded materials quality and a new optional fully digital TFT primary gauge cluster. 

2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
The Recaro sport seats are an option worth anteing up for. (Photo: Ford)

The aforementioned base engine makes a substantive 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, so there’s no need for the long gone V6 anymore, while this GT’s V8 puts out a sensational 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, not to mention a soul-soothing gurgle from the twin tailpipes that’ll make your adrenaline surge. 

I’ve said too much, so make sure you join me back here in short order for a full review of this fabulous 2018 Mustang GT Premium Fastback…

You’d think for a car available non-stop since 1965 there’d be more than six generations to the legendary Mustang’s credit, but Ford ran the first generation (the many iterations of which any genuine…

2017 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

2017 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
A week with a Mustang is always good, and one with a GT Convertible even better. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

You’d think for a car available non-stop since 1965 there’d be more than six generations to the legendary Mustang’s credit, but Ford ran the first generation (the many iterations of which any genuine car enthusiast equally loves and lusts after) for eight years and made even better use of the 1979–1993 third-gen Fox bodied model. I don’t think you’d get much argument from all but drag racing fans that the current rear independent suspension-enhanced sixth-gen model, available since 2015, is the best Mustang ever.

2017 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
The side most competitors had better get used to seeing. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

It takes little coaxing for us to accept a week in any of its trims, the first of this type being a 2015 Mustang GT Premium Convertible, which was followed by the new 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder 2016 Ecoboost Fastback and a 2016 GT Convertible, the latter much like our most recent tester other than its eye-searing Triple Yellow paintjob.

2017 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
Love the GT’s available red on black interior detailing. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

Actually, this 2017 GT Convertible Premium is coated in the same Ruby Red exterior paintwork and its seats covered in identical Red Line leather as the 2015 example (the Ecoboost Fastback was finished in Oxford White on black, if you must know), these two cars appearing near identical if it weren’t for the same GT Performance Package as added to the Ecoboost Fastback, that upgrade beefing up the wheels to glossy black 19s, plus a whole lot more.

2017 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
This is how we like to roll. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)

At the heart of the GT is a 435 horsepower 5.0-litre V8 with 400 lb-ft of torque, capable of sling-shooting the 1,756-kilo (3,863-lb) ragtop to 100km/h in less than five seconds with standard launch control engaged. Ford was kind enough to include its six-speed manual transmission in this tester, which is the best way to go if you don’t mind a lot of DIY activity in city traffic.

I’ll comment on its refinement and all of the car’s other driving dynamic details in my upcoming review, plus remind you of the many improvements Ford made to this model when introduced as a 2015 model, while filling you in on specific 2017 upgrades (and downgrades) as well…