Ford Mustang ad taps Need for Speed | video

Ford has secured some prime product placement with their new Mustang winning a starring role in the coming Need for Speed film. And we're already getting a taste of the action with the car's commercial. "Do you really think that when you've been set up, accused and convicted, a new car can put it all behind you?" the ad asks, before giving the answer you've already guessed... "Depends on the car".

Ford tapped Need for Speed director Scott Waugh for the ad, which shows the movie's star Aaron Paul going to prison and then racing along a desert road in the new Mustang.

According to Motor Authority Waugh describes the Ford as being perfect as the hero car. "The best movie cars combine tons of power, rear-wheel drive, great handling and the ability to be easily flung around corners,” he says. “As we’ve seen hundreds of times over the years -- from ‘Bullitt’ to ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’ -- Mustang fits the bill perfectly."

Ford is using the new ad to launch the social media hashtag #InaMustang, which fans will be urged to use in sharing their own pony car stories and wishlists, with the carmaker intending to use the content to seed more storytelling via a dedicated website.

The rear-wheel drive Ford Mustang will arrive in Australia by the end of next year in two versions. The entry level priced from about $45,000 will be powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder developing 227kW of power at 5500rpm and 407Nm of torque at 2500 to 4500rpm. The Mustang V8 will be priced from about $55,000 and carry a 5.0-litre engine developing 313kW at 6500rpm and 529Nm at 4250rpm. Both versions will have transmission choices of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Watch the desktop version of the Ford Mustang ad taps Need for Speed video here.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott