LIKE to stand out from the crowd? If so, this mighty machine is quite unlike anything on UK roads at present.

With a throaty growl from the 5.0-litre engine combined with head-turning looks, the Ford Mustang is a distinctive beast.

Just in case that wasn’t enough to grab people’s attention, this V8 GT Fastback version came resplendent in bright orange!

This all-American muscle car is still a relatively rare sight in this country, although right-hand drive production is likely to make it an ever-more tantalising proposition for British buyers.

In terms of looks, the car boasts an iconic old-school silhouette.

Its long, bulky and curved bonnet alludes to the immense engine that sits beneath, while its gradually-sloping roofline evokes memories of the type of idealistic car you sketched out on scrap paper as a child.

While the front end is notable for its distinctively-shaped radiator grille and ‘shark bite’ bumper, the back has eye-catching tail-lights divided into three bars to offer an added design flourish.

A pair of twin exhausts and a centrally-mounted ‘GT’ badge leave onlookers in little doubt that the car in front means business.

Helping the Mustang deliver on that purposeful promise is a 5.0-litre petrol unit, which is a joy to behold.

With perfect poise and addictive noise, the V8 can propel you from below 20mph to motorway speeds in next to no time - and all in second gear.

Indeed, the engine pulls strongly right from idle through to the 6,500rpm redline, but it’s especially responsive once above 4,000rpm.

When twinned with the fairly slick six-speed gearbox, it means you’re able to swiftly drop the car into whatever cog suits your needs at that point in time.

In terms of handling and driving dynamics, you’re instantly aware that the Mustang is a long, wide and weighty car, so you’d be right not to expect much by way of outright agility. The steering is nicely weighted, but you can expect trustworthy rather than quick-paced direction changes.

With such power being put down on the road through the rear wheels alone, it’s a car that requires a capable driver with unwavering concentration. On the damp, leaf-covered roads that are typical of Yorkshire at this time of year, you must be ready to apply some corrective ‘opposite lock’ steering should the back end kick out when emerging from a corner or junction.

But the good thing is that you get an early enough warning sign that such a situation is developing, with the well-balanced chassis giving you chance to ‘catch’ it in plenty of time.

Inside the cabin, you feel yourself sinking into the comfortable seats and, with a high window line, it’s easy to become rather immersed in the spacious low-down driving position.

The interior is typified by large, round dials and an imposing dashboard that has a forthright style.

Tech-wise, there’s an impressive Sync3 infotainment system complete with an 8.0in touchscreen display, nine speaker audio system, DAB radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone integration.

While there may be no shortage of space up front, things are very different for rear-seat passengers. Indeed, the back seats are best-suited to children, although adults may be able to tolerate a short journey.

In conclusion, it’s a car you’d probably purchase more with your heart than your head.

You’ll want to avoid tight car parks, you might even revise your normal route to avoid narrow roads, and high fuel consumption means you’ll be no stranger to the petrol station forecourt. However, this is a car with a magnetism that appeals to those who, above any single factor such as speed or comfort, are craving an overall ‘experience’.

The lowdown - Ford Mustang GT Fastback

ENGINE: Eight-cylinder, 5.0-litre petrol

PRICE: £38,165 on the road

PERFORMANCE: Max speed 155mph and 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds

EMISSIONS: 299g/km

FUEL ECONOMY: 20.9mpg

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed, rear-wheel drive