THE answer to the question every Fast Ford fan has been asking is: Yes, the Mustang handles.

With the legendary muscle machine making its way to Europe for the first time in its 50 year history, it's time to live the American dream.

Born in 1964 and featured in movies galore including Goldfinger, Gone in 60 Seconds and perhaps most famously Bullitt, the Mustang is a lifestyle icon that says as much about those who drive it as where it ventures.

And venture it will, for this is the Ford we have always craved on this side of the pond.

Set up to perform around the world the Mustang for Europe is just going into production at Ford's Flat Rock factory in Michigan.

Mustangs for Britain and other right hand drive markets including Australia will be coming off the line by August and in the UK the car will hit the streets in November.

Such is the clamour to get behind the wheel that the first 1,200 cars slated for Britain have already been snapped up and the waiting list stretches to next April.

Back in the Swinging Sixties Ford described the original as: "A car to go almost everywhere. A car to do almost everything," and the new model is true to the cause.

Two versions are coming our way - one a fastback and the other a convertible - and both are sensational.

The ‘pure' Mustang is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine which not only sounds amazing but pumps out 421ps endowing it with a 0 to 60 time of 4.8 seconds on its way to a 155mph maximum - the fastest accelerating coupe Ford has ever sold in Europe.

It's also got a fair thirst at 20.9mpg and in a shift to make the ‘pony car' more eco friendly Ford has created one that uses a 2.3-litre four cylinder EcoBoost engine.

It is the first turbo tweaked ‘Stang and with 317ps on tap is the most potent EcoBoost engine Ford has developed so far.

Lacking little on the performance front, acceleration is 5.8 seconds 0 to 60 with a top end of 145mph but more significantly has an official fuel return of 35.3mpg with emissions of 179g/km, all of which make it supremely capable in the Mustang's 1.6-tonne body.

Small surprise then that Ford has chosen this block to power its all-wheel-drive Focus RS when that car is released early next year.

What makes the Mustang even more incredible is the price which is from £28,995 for the EcoBoost and £32,995 for the V8, dubbed the GT.

The convertibles cost £4,000 more and both come either as six-speed manuals or six-speed autos - the latter adding £1,500 to the price.

Pound for pound there's nothing quite like it and the Mustang is in a niche of its own, thousands cheaper than the likes of a BMW M4, Audi RS5 or Vauxhall's Australian-sourced VXR8.

In manual guise the Mustang is slick through the box, there is incredible pull from the engine and the soundtrack a delight either as a V8 growl or a throaty roar from the turbo.

Immersed in the Mustang experience inside the four seat cockpit is a feeling that has been worth every one of the car's 50 years.

Gone is the solid rear axle and this being a car for the world the suspension is more in tune with modern standards meaning it swoops through bends with composure.

The new car sits 30mm lower than the previous fifth generation model, is wider at the rear and comes with a multi-mode drive selector that has a wicked side.

Want to burn rubber? Then on the V8 manual there is an electric line-lock function (for track use only insists Ford) that lets you ‘smoke' the rear wheels for 15 seconds before releasing the brakes.

There's also launch control for maximum take off power and plenty of heavy duty systems included in a Track Apps programme that's embedded in the software - all for added fun.

Glance at the instruments and there's one marked Ground Speed and another Revolutions per Minute either side of a digital trip display that's a little bit different to the ones found on Ford's other European models.

Ford's SYNC 2 connectivity and voice control system is standard and all European Mustangs come with a performance pack which includes a stiffened chassis, uprated stability controls and electronic power steering and high powered Brembo brakes.

Sat nav, however, is an extra and comes as part of a custom pack which includes a Shaker Pro sound system and climatically controlled seats for £1,795.

Lap it all up and there is much that is fascinatingly different such as the design of the switchgear, the depth of the dash and the vertical sides to the doors.

It all satisfies any secret Yankee yearnings and just as a reminder of how special a car this is there's a plaque on the front passenger side of the dash proclaiming ‘Mustang Since 1964'.

Pony symbols abound - there's not a Ford badge in sight - and you'll find them on the steering wheel boss, the start page on the display screen and the kickplates are illuminated with the Mustang legend.

The fabric roof on the convertible folds away electronically in around 10 seconds stowing neatly aft of the rear seats and roof down it is an open top experience of the finest order - more noise and maximum exposure.

There is nothing prissy about this car. It feels big, the width emphasised from the cockpit by two prominent ribs either side of the bonnet and in every aspect the Mustang lets you know it is a substantial beast - lightweight it isn't but responsive it is.

The Mustang is a car with a unique look and the new model has all the classic proportions of the original.

Appropriately for its European mission the new Mustang has been styled under the stewardship of a Brit, Moray Callum - brother of Jaguar design chief Ian - who is now in charge of shaping all future Fords.

From every aspect the Mustang looks venomous, its huge bonnet dominated by an effective interpretation of the shark mouth grille which has its roots in the P51 Mustang fighter aircraft of the 1940s and 50s.

Other shark-like cues such as the three gills remain a feature and in the new car can be found in the headlamps and the characteristic layout of the tail lamps while the curve of the fastback remains pure and sleek.

Overall it measures some 15ft 8ins long and almost 6ft 10ins wide and boot space is more than adequate at 408 litres for the fastback and 332 for the convertible.

Driving the modern Mustang is an experience in its own right, all the excesses that can only be American but now packaged in a machine that can cut it in any automotive arena.

While the first wave of UK customers will lean towards the V8, those who opt for the 2.3-litre version won't be disappointed.

It may not create the awesome sound that only the V8 can deliver but it certainly can perform and it won't break the bank.

Not only is it cheaper but can easily achieve 30 to the gallon. Be nice to the V8 and you may average low 20s, let it loose and you will find yourself nudging single figures - but then the Mustang is a beast that was born to be wild.