Ford expects the EcoBoost 2.3-liter version of the new Mustang to account for half of sales when the model reaches the end of its production life, despite the fact the majority have so far been ordered by a V8 engine.
Speaking to Autocar at the opening round of the Endurance World Championship at Silverstone, product development boss Raj Nair said that the rush to order the larger-engined cars will slow as the initial excitement faded.
"You will see at the end of car production sales will be split about 50/50," he said. "Initial sales consists of people who have always wanted to Mustang, so they were already booked at the end of the Mustang-spec - V8 engine and manual gearbox. But then, the trend will change."
Ford has delivered more than 1000 Mustang right-drive to the UK, with more than 680 cars featuring a V8 engine and manual gearbox. Alternative engines, 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, has proved less popular, especially when mated with other available gearbox, six-speed automatic.
But Nair expects the upcoming UK buyers to choose more efficient engines, the 98bhp down on power but offers fuel economy better (35.3mpg versus 23.5mpg combined) and other taxes. It is also £ 5,500 cheaper to buy, ranging from £ 30 995.
"Once people see the cars on the road, others will be booked in the spec is more practical because they like the look of it," he said. "This is a normal trend so we expected it to be."
Nair added that the Mustang is often seen in the light of the more exotic in the UK than in the US, so the beginning of British buyers have been motivated to go out and booked the most extreme version they could.
Mustang also has proven very popular in other markets as well, with sales in Germany exceeded the more established local rivals such as the Porsche 911 and the Audi TT last month. Pony cars Ford sold 780 units during March, beating 911 752 and TT 708.
"It's not surprising," Nair smiled when asked what he made of the results. "It really shows what people want - V8 is right - and we are unique in that way."
More recently, Autocar reported that UK waiting time for the new Ford Mustang has reached as much as six months due to higher than expected demand. Nair admitted that once production has been growing, but look at the problem in a more positive light. "It's true demand is so high we can not build them fast enough," he said. "But really this is a great problem to have."
Speaking to Autocar at the opening round of the Endurance World Championship at Silverstone, product development boss Raj Nair said that the rush to order the larger-engined cars will slow as the initial excitement faded.
"You will see at the end of car production sales will be split about 50/50," he said. "Initial sales consists of people who have always wanted to Mustang, so they were already booked at the end of the Mustang-spec - V8 engine and manual gearbox. But then, the trend will change."
Ford has delivered more than 1000 Mustang right-drive to the UK, with more than 680 cars featuring a V8 engine and manual gearbox. Alternative engines, 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, has proved less popular, especially when mated with other available gearbox, six-speed automatic.
But Nair expects the upcoming UK buyers to choose more efficient engines, the 98bhp down on power but offers fuel economy better (35.3mpg versus 23.5mpg combined) and other taxes. It is also £ 5,500 cheaper to buy, ranging from £ 30 995.
"Once people see the cars on the road, others will be booked in the spec is more practical because they like the look of it," he said. "This is a normal trend so we expected it to be."
Nair added that the Mustang is often seen in the light of the more exotic in the UK than in the US, so the beginning of British buyers have been motivated to go out and booked the most extreme version they could.
Mustang also has proven very popular in other markets as well, with sales in Germany exceeded the more established local rivals such as the Porsche 911 and the Audi TT last month. Pony cars Ford sold 780 units during March, beating 911 752 and TT 708.
"It's not surprising," Nair smiled when asked what he made of the results. "It really shows what people want - V8 is right - and we are unique in that way."
More recently, Autocar reported that UK waiting time for the new Ford Mustang has reached as much as six months due to higher than expected demand. Nair admitted that once production has been growing, but look at the problem in a more positive light. "It's true demand is so high we can not build them fast enough," he said. "But really this is a great problem to have."
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