Ford Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost (A) Review
20 Jun 2018|36,129 views
What We Like
It's a Mustang
Will be cheaper to buy and own over its 5.0-litre V8 brethren
Looks good from every angle
Absolutely charming
What We Dislike
Materials used in cabin is a tad tacky
Lack of aural sensation
The name Mustang seems to roll off our tongues more eloquently than the Focus RS, even though it's hard to imagine the iconic muscle car having a word like 'Ecoboost' in its nameplate. But it's true. Not only has Ford halved it's displacement capacity from 5.0-litre to 2.3-litre, the number of cylinders has dropped from eight to four.
That doesn't mean you can pedal to the metal as and when you want to or throw it around bends with reckless abandon because doing that without being in full control will have you wrap around the lamp post quicker that you can say Jack Robinson.
It's fast... and it's tail happy
You can also be rest assured you'll finish the century sprint almost as fast as the saying goes - 5.5 seconds flat. Thanks to 312 ponies and 432Nm of twisting force from the 2.3-litre powerplant, the Mustang will hurtle down the highway with absolute sensation rather than sophistication.
The car, with all its mightiness and bravado, isn't as refined as, say, the BMW 4 Series Coupe. What it does is charge forward like a locomotive instead of an automotive. As a result, you can switch off the traction control and enjoy sliding from left to right like you're driving on ice. And mind you, this is when the car is left on Comfort mode. Flick the button to Track mode, and you'll be asking for trouble.
And there's completely nothing wrong with that. You could think of the Mustang as the head-turning tennis player Ana Ivanovic. She's sexy, smart and swift. Even passers-by who aren't in to the sport will stop in their tracks to steal a second glance. She'll be gentle and loving to you so long as you treat her right. But disrespect her and she'll break your neck with one powerful backhand swing to the face.
No disrespect, but shouldn't a Mustang be a V8?
On the topic of being disrespectful, we can't say you'll need a 5.0-litre V8 to get the full Mustang experience because we've never driven that car. Just based on the 2.3-litre Ecoboost variant that we drove, the car isn't at all shabby. It's quick, offers a good amount of keen handling and it'll be cheaper to buy and maintain compared to the V8.
Then again, you could argue the point that if you're going for a car like the Mustang without the V8 engine, it'll be like walking into Boon Tong Kee chicken rice restaurant and ordering a plate of vegetables and crispy beancurd instead of their tasty chicken.
But as much as it's nice to have a 5.0-litre V8 Mustang sitting in your garage, we will have to recognise that the 2.3-litre isn't at all embarrassing to own. Not only will you be paying lesser than the equivalent-powered BMW 4 Series Coupe, you get to tell people it's a Mustang you're driving, which is something you don't get to do everyday.
Taming a legend
At $233,888 (as of 8th June 2018), the Ford Mustang Ecoboost isn't without its flaws. Its cabin isn't anything close to being an upmarket appeal, no thanks to tacky plastics. And the handbrake lever is positioned closer to the passenger, a sign that reminds you that this car was a left-hand drive sample.
But therein lies the Mustang's charm. Despite its imperfections and its strong air of arrogance, the car is by no means offensive. In fact, it makes it all the more interesting, if not special.
The very fact that Regent Motors, Ford's authorised distributor, sold only about 40 units of Mustang, with eight of them being the 5.0-litre V8 variant, makes this car all the more exceptional.
What We Like
It's a Mustang
Will be cheaper to buy and own over its 5.0-litre V8 brethren
Looks good from every angle
Absolutely charming
What We Dislike
Materials used in cabin is a tad tacky
Lack of aural sensation
The name Mustang seems to roll off our tongues more eloquently than the Focus RS, even though it's hard to imagine the iconic muscle car having a word like 'Ecoboost' in its nameplate. But it's true. Not only has Ford halved it's displacement capacity from 5.0-litre to 2.3-litre, the number of cylinders has dropped from eight to four.
That doesn't mean you can pedal to the metal as and when you want to or throw it around bends with reckless abandon because doing that without being in full control will have you wrap around the lamp post quicker that you can say Jack Robinson.
It's fast... and it's tail happy
You can also be rest assured you'll finish the century sprint almost as fast as the saying goes - 5.5 seconds flat. Thanks to 312 ponies and 432Nm of twisting force from the 2.3-litre powerplant, the Mustang will hurtle down the highway with absolute sensation rather than sophistication.
The car, with all its mightiness and bravado, isn't as refined as, say, the BMW 4 Series Coupe. What it does is charge forward like a locomotive instead of an automotive. As a result, you can switch off the traction control and enjoy sliding from left to right like you're driving on ice. And mind you, this is when the car is left on Comfort mode. Flick the button to Track mode, and you'll be asking for trouble.
No disrespect, but shouldn't a Mustang be a V8?
On the topic of being disrespectful, we can't say you'll need a 5.0-litre V8 to get the full Mustang experience because we've never driven that car. Just based on the 2.3-litre Ecoboost variant that we drove, the car isn't at all shabby. It's quick, offers a good amount of keen handling and it'll be cheaper to buy and maintain compared to the V8.
Then again, you could argue the point that if you're going for a car like the Mustang without the V8 engine, it'll be like walking into Boon Tong Kee chicken rice restaurant and ordering a plate of vegetables and crispy beancurd instead of their tasty chicken.
Cabin is driver-centric and unpretentiousBut as much as it's nice to have a 5.0-litre V8 Mustang sitting in your garage, we will have to recognise that the 2.3-litre isn't at all embarrassing to own. Not only will you be paying lesser than the equivalent-powered BMW 4 Series Coupe, you get to tell people it's a Mustang you're driving, which is something you don't get to do everyday.
Taming a legend
At $233,888 (as of 8th June 2018), the Ford Mustang Ecoboost isn't without its flaws. Its cabin isn't anything close to being an upmarket appeal, no thanks to tacky plastics. And the handbrake lever is positioned closer to the passenger, a sign that reminds you that this car was a left-hand drive sample.
Boot space is sufficient for your everyday usage
But therein lies the Mustang's charm. Despite its imperfections and its strong air of arrogance, the car is by no means offensive. In fact, it makes it all the more interesting, if not special.
The very fact that Regent Motors, Ford's authorised distributor, sold only about 40 units of Mustang, with eight of them being the 5.0-litre V8 variant, makes this car all the more exceptional.
Taming a legend
At $233,888 (as of 8th June 2018), the Ford Mustang Ecoboost isn't without its flaws. Its cabin isn't anything close to being an upmarket appeal, no thanks to tacky plastics. And the handbrake lever is positioned closer to the passenger, a sign that reminds you that this car was a left-hand drive sample.
But therein lies the Mustang's charm. Despite its imperfections and its strong air of arrogance, the car is by no means offensive. In fact, it makes it all the more interesting, if not special.
The very fact that Regent Motors, Ford's authorised distributor, sold only about 40 units of Mustang, with eight of them being the 5.0-litre V8 variant, makes this car all the more exceptional.
Video by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Ford Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.2km/L
Horsepower
233kW (312 bhp)
Torque
432 Nm
Acceleration
5.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Ford Mustang
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