FINALLY. It's only taken Ford 50 years to build a Mustang for Europe but here it is at last.

Introduced at a special event held in Barcelona, Spain, this week, Ford says the new Mustang has been built with Europe in mind.

That's why this Mustang will be available with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine as well as the rather more traditional 5.0-litre V8.

Unveiling the new car, Ford executive vice president Stephen Odell hailed the Mustang as "a symbol of freedom and optimism" - so it had better be good.

Why has it taken so long? Because Ford designed and built the Mustang for the US market. Europe got the Capri instead but when Capri production ended in 1983 nothing took its place (don't mention the Probe or the Cougar).

Sadly, it's not going to be cheap. Although the basic 2013 Mustang starts at a mere £13,577 in the US over here it will cost a lot more.

In the States the Mustang is still marketed as an affordable sports car. That's why Ford has sold more than nine million of them since 1964. It's the world's most-liked car on Facebook, too.

But for Europe it's going to be a prestigious limited edition muscle car that'll be fully load with kit - and priced accordingly.

So the idea of a 3.7-litre V6 powered 'Stang for less than £14,000 will remain the stuff of dreams for Europeans.

The biggest shock is that Ford's acclaimed 5.0-litre V8 - yielding 426 PS and 529 Nm of torque - isn't the only engine option. Instead, Ford is planning to add the 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost to its iconic brand.

If the idea of a small capacity 2.3 in a Mustang sounds suspiciously like a Captri 1.3 for the noughties, think again.

"The EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for easy passing or hustling down a twisty road,” according to Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer.

The Northern Echo:

The EcoBoost powerplant uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging to deliver usable performance. A unique intake manifold and turbocharger housing enable it to deliver the performance Mustang drivers expect, with output projected at more than 309 PS and 407 Nm of torque. An automatic transmission option features steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for drivers who want the choice between convenience and control.

The new Ford Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the front structure while reducing mass, providing a strong foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride.

The new double ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of large, powerful brakes. Both 2.3-litre EcoBoost and V8-powered GT Mustang models will feature performance brake packages behind standard 19-inch wheels in Europe.

At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application, and are well-suited to European roads and high speed driving culture. New aluminium rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.

Selectable drive modes enable an owner to quickly adjust steering effort, engine response, and transmission and electronic stability control settings.

Also available for Mustang drivers in Europe will be a navigation system utilising the 8-inch central colour screen in conjunction with a premium 12-speaker sound system.

 

* I am indebted to reader Ray Brown for pointing out that this isn't the first time Ford has sold the Mustang in Europe. Ray has a 1979 Mustang Ghia bought from the town's erstwhile dealer, Skipper of Darlington.