UK Ford Mustang unleashed

Historic right-hand-drive prototype version of the new Ford Mustang undergoes testing.

The 50-year wait for British enthusiasts is nearly over. Pre-production testing of the new Ford Mustang is underway.

When it rolls off the assembly line, it will be the first time a factory-built right-hand-drive Ford Mustangs have been available.

The sixth-generation Mustang can then be sold in 25 new right-hand-drive markets, including the UK, Australia and South Africa.

The LHD car is due to go on sale this autumn in the US, then globally in more than 120 countries (including the UK) next year.

While the US is the largest market for the Mustang, with more than 9.2 million sales since the car’s debut in 1964, more than 161,000 Mustangs have been sold outside North America in that time.

In 2012 alone, more than 4,000 Mustangs were sold in 35 countries outside of North America, ranging from the United Arab Emirates to Chile to the Philippines.

No word yet on price, though we expect it to be available in Fastback or Convertible versions with a choice of two engines – the 420bhp V8 or 2.3 litre EcoBoost, producing 324bhp.