The Right Stuff
The first prototype of a factory right-hand drive Mustang
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
While the United States is the largest market for Mustangs, the sixth-generation 2015 Mustang will be available in over 110 countries. Among those regions are 25 markets that require a right-hand drive configuration. For the first time, such a setup will come right off the assembly line.
Apparently, Ford engineers just finished the construction of the first prototype 2015 Mustang built with right-hand drive. With this unit, they will begin testing the car to ready it for sale in the aforementioned 25 markets, including Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
While the car goes on sale here in the US this fall, those other countries will have to wait a bit longer to enjoy that independent rear suspension.
So….does the transmission get reworked so that the shift pattern is swapped (is, first/second gear would be on the opposite side) or does it get left alone? Shifting with your left hand would be weird but not having first gear next to you would be even weirder!
Love the obscure stuff. Keep it up Steve!
Good Question, Tob. Not sure, but I will try to find out. I drove a right-hand drive Focus RS once, and it was really bizarre.
Nope, shift pattern and pedals stay the same orientation, driver just swaps sides.
My main question, is that a convertible with the performance package?? Why isn’t that available in the US?
I would imagine that going to Australia. I think Europe because of regulations on engine size will only see the ecoboost cars?
this and it isn’t to hard to get used to IMO
Now that you mention it, that’s how the RS I drove was set up. As a righty, I found it awkward, but I only drove it for a short time on the proving grounds. It wasn’t enough to get used to it.