2024 Ford Mustang: Australian launch delayed again

Australian Ford Mustang buyers will have to wait a little longer for the seventh-generation sports car’s local arrival, as it’s been pushed back once more to the second half of 2024.

The new S650 generation Ford Mustang made its global debut in September 2022, arriving at US dealers in mid-2023.

However, its Australian launch has been delayed multiple times from Ford’s initial late-2023 projection, being pushed out to the first quarter of 2024 (January to March), then the second quarter (April to June) and now the second half of the year – almost two years after its unveiling.

Its arrival will also come more than 15 months after the new-generation Mustang made its debut in the Supercars Championship, where it has won six races to date – considerably less than the 24 victories claimed by the Chevrolet Camaro since the start of the 2023 season.

Despite the delays, the 2024 Ford Mustang has been available to order since October 2023, with the lineup starting from $64,990 before on-roads in EcoBoost Fastback automatic guise, or $77,002 before on-road costs for the manual-equipped GT Fastback – with an extra $3900 for the auto.

A limited run of the flagship Mustang Dark Horse variant – 1000 examples to be exact – will also come to Australia, starting at $99,102 before on-road roads with a six-speed manual or $103,002 for the 10-speed automatic.

There’s also a single convertible, the GT automatic, priced at $86,752 before on-roads.

Ford Australia has already outlined pricing and features for the new Mustang, but it has ruled out offering a new factory-fitted matte wrap launched in the US.

Announced overnight, for US$5995 (A$9200) Mustang buyers can have their cars wrapped in a matte satin vinyl, which not only changes the appearance of the sports car but also protects its paint.

While the wrap is applied at the factory – and will be available for US-delivered Mustangs built from June 2024 onwards – Ford Australia told CarExpert it has no plans to offer the satin paint protection film locally.

The Ford Mustang lost its crown as the best-selling sports car in Australia to the Subaru BRZ last year, largely due to stock of the outgoing sixth-generation model being almost entirely depleted before 2023 concluded.