European Ford Mustang gone in 30 seconds

The first 500 2015 Ford Mustang models destined for Europe were reserved in just 30 seconds when order books opened during last Saturday’s Champions League Final.

By the end of extra time in Lisbon, which saw Real Madrid beat rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1, over 9,300 people had registered for a chance to buy the new muscle car.

Never before in its 50-year history has the Mustang been sold across Europe and Ford, as one of the competition’s main sponsors, used the final to mark this occasion.

The promotion saw 500 new Mustangs allocated across 20 countries, with those Europeans quickest to express an interest set to hear from Ford in the next few weeks. Each successful prospective customer will then be invited to finalise their order at a dealership later this year, ready to receive their version of the sports car in 2015.

“We knew there was huge excitement building for the new Ford Mustang coming to Europe, but the response during the UCL Final was overwhelming,” commented Roelant de Waard, Ford’s vice president in Europe for marketing, sales and service.

“It was a truly special way to kick off the Ford Mustang era in Europe.”

When expressing an interest, customers could choose between Fastback coupe models finished in ‘Race Red’ and the convertible Mustang painted ‘Magnetic Silver’, with both variants set to include a special package.

Customers could also opt for Ford’s all-new 305bhp 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with 407Nm of torque, or the more traditional 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering 420bhp and 529Nm.

On top of this, each of the first 500 European-spec Mustangs will feature the brand’s SYNC 2 connectivity and navigation system, heated and ventilated seats, Park Assist technology, as well as getting black leather trim, chrome detailing and 19-inch alloys.

For those UK fans who fail to make the 500-strong shortlist, or were unlucky enough to have missed the original promotion, the good news is the Mustang will go on general sale in showrooms from early next year, and is expected to start at around £30,000.