At a time when most motorists are more concerned about fuel economy than mechanical performance, there are still plenty of enthusiasts who wouldn't settle for anything less than an engine producing 400 horsepower or more. That's precisely the audience for Ford's legendary Mustang, a car that made its debut in 1964 and continues to turn heads. What's more, the Mustang no longer has any direct domestic competitors in our market, with other famous names from its segment, such as the Camaro, Challenger and Firebird, having disappeared!

However, the Mustang is no longer the charming little economy car it once was. It's now a special vehicle offered as either a sporty coupe or an elegant convertible. The base engine is a 315-horsepower EcoBoost four-cylinder, available exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The other option, the powerful 5.0-litre Coyote V8 producing up to 486 horsepower with the active exhaust system, remains highly desirable among performance car enthusiasts and is still available with a manual transmission!

Ford of Canada provided us with the latest version of this Mustang, a GT convertible powered by the V8 engine and equipped with an automatic transmission. The car was finished in Adriatic Blue Metallic with white accents from the FX Package, recalling the styling of the Fox-body models from the 1980s. And yes, true to its origins, the Mustang remains a rear-wheel-drive car!

But how can a car like this reach a price of more than $81,000, as our test vehicle did? Well, the GT convertible starts at $64,630, but Ford had added a whole range of options, including the distinctive exterior finish, the FX Package and, most importantly, a performance package costing nearly $7,000, intended for drivers who want to explore this car's capabilities on a road course or drag strip.

Right from the start, this convertible's overall appearance attracts attention. But its road manners will impress just about any driver, not to mention its remarkable performance, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately four seconds. And while there are even more powerful Mustang versions, including the 500-horsepower Dark Horse and the 795-horsepower Dark Horse SC, this GT convertible can also become a genuinely luxurious, smooth and comfortable car when the driver selects the appropriate settings. Even the exhaust note becomes more melodic than aggressive with the top down, which, incidentally, is very easy to operate.

The burning question? Fuel consumption? Approximately 15 L/100 km in the city and 10.0 L/100 km on the highway. Our result? An average of 10.7 L/100 km! For those wondering whether this car can be driven in winter, the answer is definitely yes, provided it's equipped with suitable winter tires, something we've already experienced ourselves. Finally, does a Mustang like this have any commercial appeal? Yes, particularly the base EcoBoost version, priced at around $46,000, which could be attractive to rental car companies!

(Photo Éric Descarries)