S550 Mustang: Global, With a Catch

[El Kabong]

Much has been written about the current Mustang (not least by Ford itself) concerning its conception as a "global car." In particular, much emphasis has been placed on the S550's ability to be sold in RHD markets. 

However, there has been a bit of ambiguity about the car's power output, particularly in V8 form. Top Gear's review of the 5.0 placed output at 412hp, without explanation. Now, we know why. R&T is reporting that some folks have discovered the exhaust on RHD cars is severely compromised in order to clear the RHD steering hardware:

"Our friends in England and other right-hand drive nations make a very particular sacrifice: thanks to different steering packaging requiring different, more restrictive exhaust headers, leading to a loss of 25 horses from the 435-horsepower 5.0-liter V8."

This compromise probably goes a long way to explaining why there is currently no RHD Shelby GT350, and also raises questions about Ford's seriousness about the project in the first place. Read more at the link:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/videos/a31086/here-are-all-the-differences-between-the-us-and-european-mustang/

Edited October 8, 2016 by El Kabong