Ford Mustang wins PCOTY 2017 reader's poll

Performance Car of the Year is not a popularity contest, but if it was, then your winner for 2017 would be the Ford Mustang.

This is based on the results of our reader's poll, where Ford's Pony Car garnered 111 votes, or 17.7 per cent of the total vote. Clearly the Mustang's recent safety scandal hasn't dented fans' fondness too drastically.

The poll results make good reading for Ford, with the Focus RS managing second place with 95 votes, while the HSV Clubsport R8 LSA (78 votes) narrowly nudged out the Ferrari 488 GTB (75 votes) for third place.

We're not going to give away the winner here - though if you're curious you can find out at this link - but suffice to say the PCOTY judging panel's verdict differs from that of the fans'. Quite markedly in some cases.

It's a sign that though the Falcon has now departed, there is still deep affection for the Blue Oval brand in this country. Sadly there are no new four-door performance heroes on the horizon, however at least with the Mustang and the Focus RS fast Ford fans have plenty to cheer about. We'd have to dig into the archives to find out the last time Ford had two such diverse and deserving PCOTY entrants.

You can read the full Performance Car of the Year story in our latest issue, on-sale now, or stay glued to www.motormag.com.au over the coming days and weeks as we reveal more coverage of the event.