Delayed! 2024 Ford Mustang won't arrive this year as US production for V8 sports car is held up

While the new Ford Mustang has been on the market in the US for some time, Australian right-hand drive models were initially expected to arrive here in late 2023.

Now, it's confirmed the blue oval-badged sports car will arrive in 2024 following production and shipping delays.

After a leaked image of a dealer bulletin appeared on Mustang forum Mustang7g.com, earlier this month, rumours that the pony car wouldn't arrive in Australia until the beginning of 2024 circled.

CarsGuide has confirmed with Ford Australia that this is indeed the case.

"Production for Australia-bound Mustangs is set to begin by late this year,” a Ford Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.

"Due to significant shipping time between the plant in Flat Rock, Michigan and Australia, we expect first arrivals in Q1, 2024."

When it does arrive, it's possible the Mustang's specifications will be slightly different from those in the US, as with the previous generation's slightly lower outputs due to different fuel.

In its traditional GT specification, the US-spec 2024 Mustang makes 362kW and 563Nm from its 5.0-litre Coyote V8.

A smaller engine is also still available, a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder will power the Mustang EcoBoost and make 235kW and 475Nm.

However, Ford has introduced a third variant for the new Mustang, a more powerful variant called the Dark Horse that makes 373kW and 567Nm.

A six-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmission are the two options available for all variants.