It did it in: 126.469

2015 Ford Mustang around the Top Gear Test Track

It may not sound like a big deal, but Ford hopes a right-hand drive version is the key to the Mustang finally becoming a world car.

Ford released a photo this weekend of the first right-hand drive 2015 Mustang, something the company has never done on its own before. Previous efforts at selling Mustangs in right-hand drive markets were comprised of selling LHD cars in areas such as the UK and Japan, or special conversions limited to a few hundred units.

The sixth-generation Mustang is destined for 25 RHD markets, according to Ford, including the UK, Australia and South Africa. The car assembled by Ford will be used for testing purposes in the months leading up to official global production.

Ford is also banking on the 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine being the key to the Mustang's success around the world, even though this first RHD 2015 Mustang is a 5.0 V8 version. The company sold just 4,000 Mustangs in overseas markets in 2012, so both the Ecoboost and RHD models should move that number significantly higher.

The new Mustang goes on sale in LHD form late this year, with RHD cars rolling off the line in significant numbers beginning sometime in 2015.

Based on the current Mustang

Ford Racing has released first details about the 2015 Mustang RTR, set to go on sale in January 2015.

Based on the current sixth generation Mustang, the vehicle features a more distinctive design with redesigned radiator grille with D-shaped inserts at the front and a rear diffuser with side splitters and center strakes at the back.

The new Mustang RTR will be available with the 300 PS (220 kW) 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine in the standard modification, while the 435 PS (320 kW) 5.0 V8 will be optional. Further technical details are expected soon.

Drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. says “Ford’s Mustang team has done an incredible job with the new 2015 Ford Mustang. The RTR team and I are pumped to work with such an incredible platform for RTR builds. Without a question, the performance and overall presence of the new Mustang RTR will impress and keep a smile on our customers’ faces whether cruising the streets or getting crazy on the track. I cannot take delivery of mine soon enough!”

Many of the styling elements of the 2015 Mustang RTR will be available as aftermarket parts through the official Mustang RTR website.

Production of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang got underway today at Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan. That means the cars will soon be heading out to dealers, where you’ll finally be able to book a test drive. Sales of the 2015 Mustang commence this fall but the very first Mustang GT has already been bought—selling for $300,000 at a charity auction back in January.

It’s been a long wait for this day, as Ford first showed off the sixth-generation Mustang as far back as December 2013. Since then the car has been paraded at events all over the country, including its 50th birthday bash back in April. In commemoration of the milestone, each 2015 model will be adorned with a badge on the instrument panel that includes the galloping pony logo and the words “Mustang – Since 1964.” For a few lucky buyers, there will also be a special 50 Year Limited Edition model.

The Flat Rock plant only started building the Mustang in 2005. Last year it celebrated the construction of its one millionth Mustang, and with the arrival of the sixth-generation model, which will be sold all over the globe for the first time, we’re sure that many more milestones will be reached in the near future. The facility, which is also responsible for the Fusion, has approximately 3,000 employees working two shifts at full line speed.

The new Mustang goes on sale in three trim levels initially: Mustang V6, Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT. The Mustang V6 is fitted with a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 and is priced from $24,425 with shipping. The Mustang EcoBoost gets a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine good for 310 hp and will set you back $25,995. Finally, the Mustang GT continues with a 5.0-liter V-8, this time rated at 435 hp. It has a $32,925 price tag.

Next year we can look forward to the first high-performance variant, which is being built by the SVT division and is rumored to be called a Mustang GT350.