Ford Mustang goes V8-only as 2.3-litre Ecoboost option axed

The Ford Mustang is now available exclusively with a 5.0-litre V8 engine after the four-cylinder model was removed from production due to low sales.

The entry-level car was introduced in 2015 as the Mk6 Mustang became the first iteration in the model's 50-year history to be officially sold in right-hand-drive form. Since then, it has accounted for just 15% of all Mustang sales in the UK.

It used the same American-built 2.3-litre Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the current Focus ST hot hatch and previously employed in the now-axed Focus RS.

Initially arriving with 313bhp, it was detuned slightly in 2018 to comply with new European emissions regulations and most recently produced 286bhp for a 0-62mph time of 5.8sec and a top speed of 145mph. 

Most notably, it was priced from around £10,000 less than the top-rung, V8-powered Mustang GT, meaning the Mustang range now opens at a little over £44,000, up from around £33,000 previously. 

A Ford spokesperson told Autocar: "The latest Mustang coupé range is V8-only, reflecting customer preference and prior low demand for the 2.3 four-cylinder at 15% of sales.

"Engineering resource has to be prioritised across all car models, balancing their popularity, emissions compliance and CO2 contribution."

The Mustang Ecoboost's removal from the line-up comes shortly after the exclusive Mustang Bullitt was finally discontinued, having originally been intended as a limited-run special for 2018 before evolving into a series-production variant to cope with popular demand.

The Bullitt has essentially been replaced by the new Mustang Mach 1, the fastest Mustang yet sold in Europe, which features similar power and styling upgrades over the standard car and is priced similarly at £55,185. First deliveries of the new variant are scheduled to get underway in the coming weeks.