MUSTANG REGAINS #1 SEGMENT SPOT IN AUSTRALIAN SALES

Ford’s Mustang has returned to the Number 1 sales position in Australia for sports cars under $80,000. Outsold by the Subaru BRZ in this segment in 2023, the Mustang bettered its rival last year, selling 1,465 units to the BRZ’s 980. Notably, both were outsold by the BMW 2 Series coupe and convertible, which sit in a more expensive (sports cars over $80,000) segment and reached combined sales of 1,565 in 2024.

Despite outselling the BRZ last year, Mustang sales in Australia were actually down on 2023’s total of 1,475. This has been part of a trend for the pony car since 2017, when 9,165 were sold.

With 2024 marking a transition between the end of the S550 (2014-2023) and introduction of the S650 (2024-) Mustang generations, it may explain the minor fall in sales compared to past years. The S650 only started arriving here late last year, so sales may improve in 2025 as the new generation car becomes more widely available.

Another factor to note in the Mustang’s Australian market performance is that the Dark Horse, the all-new performance variant, didn’t contribute to last year’s 1,465 total. With its list pricing of $99,102 for the manual and $103,002 with an automatic, the Dark Horse falls outside the sub-$80,000 segment and slots into the same bracket (sports cars over $80,000) as BMW’s 2 Series, 4 Series and the Mercedes-Benz CLE. Australia’s allocation of 1,000 Dark Horse units is believed to have sold out in 2024.

Outside of the Dark Horse, the S650 Mustang range for 2025 includes the familiar EcoBoost and GT variants. The EcoBoost convertible was dropped for the Australian market last year, as was its manual transmission option, so is now only available as a fastback coupe with the 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and ten-speed automatic. The GT continues to be available as a fastback coupe or convertible, with its 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 matched to a six-speed manual or ten-speed auto.

The Dark Horse is only available as a fastback coupe, based on the GT but with mechanical and cosmetic changes. While the Dark Horse offers slightly more power, torque is actually reduced. Maximum outputs of 349kW and 548Nm on the Dark Horse compares to 347kW and 550Nm on the GT. Choose the manual transmission in the Dark Horse and you get a Tremec six-speed, instead of a Getrag.

Other differences include wider wheels, specific chassis tuning, stiffer front springs and adjustable MagneRide suspension.

Cosmetic changes outside include darkened LED headlights, a gloss black grille, unique lower front bumper and side skirts, a fixed rear wing, race-inspired rear diffuser and darkened exhaust tips. The ‘galloping horse’ grille badge remains, but model-specific Dark Horse badges are added to the front guards, boot lid and sills.

This badging continues inside, where there’s also a badge with the car’s chassis number. The driver-focussed cabin includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel with dedicated drive-mode button and anodised silver paddle shifters (when matched to the ten-speed auto). Manual versions have a specific knob for the six-speed shifter.

Exclusive trim includes ‘Black Alley’ dark gloss metallic accents, contrast stitching in Bright Indigo Blue and blue seat belts. Recaro seats are optional.

Ahead of the first customer deliveries, a Dark Horse was displayed at the All Ford Day in Geelong last April, which would have been the first chance for many to see this premium pony car in the metal.