Remix Publisher Tim Phin tests the new 2025 Ford Mustang GT in the ultimate playground
The all-new 2025 Ford Mustang GT has finally touched down in New Zealand, and this seventh-generation muscle car isn’t just here to be admired; it’s here to be driven. Bold, brash, and unapologetically loud, it’s a head-turner on city streets, but it truly comes alive when you let it off the leash. I figured this out firsthand when I took the wheel for a spirited weekend drive through Waiheke’s winding roads and seaside stretches.
Under the sculpted hood sits Ford’s beastly 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, delivering a punchy 362 kW and 567Nm of torque. The numbers don’t lie—0 to 60 kph in 4.4 seconds—but it’s the way the Mustang delivers that power that makes it addictive. The throttle response is razor-sharp, and the acceleration? Instant and exhilarating.
But it’s not all brute force. The independent rear suspension, new for this generation, makes a noticeable difference. On the backroads of Waiheke, where lesser cars would roll and strain, the GT stayed composed and planted, turning every corner into a moment worth savouring. The handling was surprisingly refined, almost European in its balance, but still 100% Mustang in character.
Ford has pulled off a clever blend of heritage and innovation with this model. Design-wise, the GT keeps its classic fastback profile, aggressive front fascia, and tri-bar tail lamps; all the signature Mustang features that still stop traffic. But the interior is all 21st century: a fully digital instrument cluster, ambient LED lighting, and a driver-focused layout that feels more cockpit than cabin. It’s an interior built for someone who wants to drive. The way everything wraps around you it feels intimate but never cramped. It’s equal parts performance machine and luxury escape pod.
And an escape is exactly what Waiheke delivered. From empty stretches of coastline to undulating vineyard roads, the Mustang felt at home. Whether carving corners or simply letting the exhaust sing on a straightaway, the GT offered something many modern cars lack: drama. Not manufactured, gimmicky drama, but real, mechanical soul.
Inside, the comfort matches the performance. The premium sound system and enhanced connectivity features mean that whether you're streaming your road trip playlist or taking a call en route to lunch at Mudbrick, you're never far from convenience. It’s a car built for real driving—but also for real life.
The 2025 Mustang GT isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about the way you get there. It's for those who find joy in the journey, who still believe in the romance of the open road, and who want a car that delivers both power and presence. It’s freedom on four wheels—and once you’ve driven it on an island like Waiheke, it’s hard to go back to anything else.
So if you’re ready to stop blending in and start making every drive a story, the new Mustang GT is waiting. Because let’s be honest, life’s too short for forgettable cars.
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