IT'S been a long time coming, but it's been worth the wait.

Ever since its introduction in 1964, the Ford Mustang has been an icon of modern culture, immersed in the American motoring psyche yet out of reach for us on the other side of the pond.

We Brits could admire it on US roads on our holidays to Disneyland or spot in on screen where it made occasional appearances in movies such as Bullitt, where a 390GT was driven by Steve McQueen, and TV series like Knight Rider, in which a Shelby GT500KR took the part of KITT.

But this niche-defining powerhouse of a car had remained an out-of-reach left-hand drive legend until Ford finally decided to make dreams come true for a stack of fans across Europe.

Inevitably, there's a queue forming to take possession of one. Put your order in now and you might get one this side of 2017.

So far, 80 per cent of UK customers have opted for the fastback body style over the convertible and 68 per cent have specified the 416PS 5.0-litre V8 engine rather than the 2.3 EcoBoost.

The right-hand drive Mustang is priced at a very reasonable £30,995 (EcoBoost) and £34,995 (V8) and comes with a stack of equipment and plump leather seats that are most likely designed to cope with large American frames.

Key features of the 2.3 EcoBoost engine model are direct injection and twin-scroll turbocharger, independent front and rear suspension, limited slip differential, a performance brake system featuring four-piston front callipers, selectable driving modes, 19-inch black alloy wheels, xenon high intensity discharge headlamps, power-folding door mirrors with Mustang logo projection puddle lamps, eight-inch colour touchscreen with nine-speaker DAB radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, reach and rake adjustable leather steering wheel with integrated controls, six-way power adjustable front seats, driver's seat with power lumbar adjust, keyless entry with starter button, rear view camera, dual zone automatic temperature control and ambient interior lighting.

The V8 adds a induction sound tube, Brembo six-piston front callipers for braking, multi-spoke alloys, launch control for track use, GT and 5.0 badging and a GT front grille featuring vertical power bars.

Despite the obvious downsides such as higher emissions, average petrol consumption of barely 20mpg and bigger insurance and tax bills, the V8 just has to be the one to have for most people.

It sprints from 0 to 62mph in 4.8 secconds, making it the fastest accelerating Ford coupé ever offered in Europe.

But hang on a minute, that new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine has an acceleration figure only a second slower and exceeds 35mpg.

If you are wondering why there aren't more takers when this car makes so much sense, then remember that plain logic goes out of the window when you are considering a car like the Mustang.

Both versions come with selectable drive modes – Normal, Sport+, Track and Snow/Wet – and have been tuned to meet European driving conditions.

Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 drivers also can achieve the fastest possible acceleration off the line on the track assisted by launch control technology.

A 2+2 coupé, the Mustang sits large and proud with a nod to the past in its design. It remains a low-cost genuine alternative to premium brand cars costing at least twice as much, and yet there is very little to criticise. There are a few hard-plastic areas close to hand, but the cabin has a quite refined ambience. The one really awkward fault is the positioning of the handbrake next to the front passenger seat, which requires the driver to reach over the bottle-holders. A legacy from a left-hand build perhaps?

Classic twin-cowl dashboard and toggle switches evoke memories, but Ford has done in great job in making a thoroughly modern Mustang. And while the V8 is both responsive and aggressive with a deep soundtrack, it would be wrong to dismiss the Ecoboost version as an also-ran. In fact I never felt short-changed and really enjoyed its performance.

Fully independent front and rear suspension is utilised, with a much stiffer body structure than the previous generation Mustang, and lightweight materials include aluminium used for the bonnet, front wings, suspension, transmission and brakes.

This sixth-generation Mustang is available in a choice of ten exterior colours in fastback and convertible bodystyles with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions

With a focus on looks and performance, practicality takes a back seat. There's not much room at all in the rear, although boot space is adequate at 408 litres .

You might even go as far as to say that this Mustang is an everyday car, but go easy on the accelerator pedal.