JEDDAH — Just two weeks after Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving, Ford has delivered on its promise to gift retired university English literature professor, Sahar Hasan Nasif, her dream car – a 2018 Ford Mustang GT convertible finished in stunning Triple Yellow Tri Coat.

Sahar was the guest of honour at a ceremony in Jeddah where, surrounded by her family and friends, she accepted the car from Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co., Ford’s importer dealer in Saudi Arabia.

“This is just amazing. From the announcement of the decree on lifting the ban last September, to actually having my very own Mustang, it really is a dream come true. I still can’t believe it,” said Nasif.

“I just love the Mustang. From the moment I rented one in California in 1999, I knew I wanted my very own Mustang,” she said. “I loved the seats, the shape, the roar (of the engine), the fact it was a convertible; I loved everything about it and still do.”

Maram Al Hazer, Customer Connection Center manager, Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co., said: “We are thrilled to be able to deliver Sahar Nasif her dream car, and we wish her many safe journeys. Our teams, both male and female specialists, are ready to welcome our female customers across our showrooms and offer them some of the best experiences in a warm environment.”

Sahar caught the attention of Ford Middle East last September when she was quoted in leading news outlets that the lifting of the ban would mean she could finally buy and drive her own dream car, a Ford Mustang in yellow and black – almost 20 years after falling in love with it.

Her quote, which was also tweeted, resonated with Ford Middle East who reacted swiftly by offering Sahar her dream Mustang. The order was placed, and Sahar’s 2018 Mustang GT Convertible in Triple Yellow Tri Coat with a black accent package rolled off the Flat Rock Assembly line in Michigan in March.

The accent package includes unique black 19” wheels, black badges and black rear spoiler. The Ebony Black Premier Trim leather interior comes with heated and cooled bucket seats, and is fitted with a Shaker Pro Audi System with 12 speakers and a boot-mounted subwoofer, SYNC 3 with voice activated navigation, a new 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and unique premier trim with colour accents.

Powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine with 460 horsepower and 569 Nm of torque, Sahar’s 2018 Ford Mustang is also equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is controlled by paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The Quad Tip Active Valve Performance exhaust system will ensure Sahar will really make an entrance wherever she goes, while the standard Quiet Start, or ‘good neighbour mode’, will help keep the exhaust noise in check when she doesn’t want to announce her arrival. All 2018 Mustangs also feature a standard Safe and Smart package that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision warning, Emergency Brake Assist, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, BLIS, Auto High Beam headlights and Lane Keep Alert.

Sahar said it has been difficult to contain her excitement over the past few months, but she is glad that wait is now over. Her six children and 16 grandchildren will have to form an orderly queue if they want to take a ride in the car because she already has her first passenger lined up.

“The first thing I plan to do is pick up my mother and take her for a drive along Jeddah’s Corniche – and my brother is next. It’s a very special car for special occasions. I’m going to drive it when I go to see my friends, when I go to the beach. This is something I’ll always keep – I’m not going to sell it. It’s going to be my car forever – and I can’t thank Ford enough for making my dream come true,” she said. — SG