Before I get into my impressions on the 2011 Mustang GT – a quick review of modern pony car history is in order.
For a good part of the previous decade, the Ford Mustang stood as the only pony car offering in the United States. The Challenger and 'Cuda had faded away decades ago, and GM's Camaro and Firebird had rattled themselves out of production by the early 2000's. A full redesign in 2005 boosted excitement for the Mustang – while it continued to stand as the go-to choice for affordable V8 performance in the US.
Then as the decade came to a close, the Mustang all of a sudden found itself surrounded by competition. Dodge had reintroduced the Challenger with Hemi V8 power and the GM brought back an all new Camaro with concept car looks and a wallet friendly price tag. Even Hyundai was offering an affordable rear-drive performance car. Bailouts and bankruptcies aside, It was like 1970 again.
For the 2010 model year, Ford gave the Mustang a significant redesign . The body was trimmed and made more muscular, while the interior saw major improvements in quality and refinement. Under the hood though, the Mustang GT's 4.6 liter SOHC V8 went largely unchanged.
However, it was no secret that Ford was hard at work on a new and improved powerplant for the Mustang GT. For months the internet was filled with rumors about the new "Coyote" motor. Finally, last spring Ford revealed what would be powering the 2011 Mustang GT – a DOHC 5.0 liter V8 that would make over 400 horsepower.
Fast forward to last week and I have finally got my hands on a 2011 GT press car, fresh out of the factory and coated in a unique "Yellow Blaze Metallic Tri-Coat". As the owner of a 2006 Mustang GT, I could hardly wait to hop in and see how all of Ford's progress felt on the road.
Before I even fired up the car, my first impression was how much the interior had been improved. The overall feel and layout was familiar, but the fit, finish and material qualities were a big step up from my '06.
The second revelation came when I grabbed onto the shifter for the new 6-speed transmission. The feel of the shifter was fantastic, with a satisfying notch between each gear.
Once some open road was found (not the easiest thing to find here in LA), I got a chance to open up the 5.0 a bit. Wow, this is a serious motor.
The list of features on this mill is long. DOHC with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a redline of 7,000 rpm for starters. Power figures come in at 412 horsepower and 390 ft lbs of torque. 412 horsepower from a naturally aspirated five liter V8? That's something you'd liken to more to a high end European performance car than a good old American pony car.
The five oh badges on the side are a nice throwback to the Fox Body 5.0 cars of the '80s and '90s. Vanilla Ice should be proud.
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Naturally, acceleration is quite a sensation in this car with all those horses under the hood. I was especially impressed with the high rpm power of the 5.0, especially after driving my 4.6 GT. The sensation was further increased with this car's optional 3.73 gear ratio.
Even with the race-car like motor under the hood, if you drive this thing lightly (easier said than done) you'll be rewarded with an EPA rated 26 miles per gallon on the highway. You can even run it on regular fuel if you don't mind a slight decrease in horsepower.
Handling-wise the car also impressed. The chassis is responsive, and the car delivers more than enough grip from the 19" rubber. The suspension could stand to be slightly stiffer I suppose, and the car would look even better if it were an inch or two lower. Nothing a quick trip to the aftermarket can't take care of.
Braking was awesome as well, thanks to the optional Brembo Brake package. Yep, Brembos on a Mustang GT.
The Brembo package also includes these split five-spoke wheels with grippy 255/40/19 Pirelli tires.
Another view of the interior. A solid balance of comfort, style, and functionality in here.
For entertainment, you have the Shaker 500 audio system with Sirius radio and Ford's Sync technology. I was just as happy listening to the ambient sounds of the 5.0 doing its thing though.
Another cool feature of the 2010 and up redesign – sequential tail lamps!
The GT I sampled was the Premium model which came in with an MSRP of $36,675 – including the Brembo package, the 3.73 rear end, and the optional yellow paint. A standard GT with the same running gear can be had $29,995.
The Mustang GT has always been about big performance and huge grins for a modest amount of money. The 2011 5.0 GT continues this tradition in a more pronounced way than any of us could ever have imagined.
Long live the pony car.
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
So much awesomeness!
"The list of features on this mill is long. DOHC with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a redline of 7,000 rpm for starters."
Welcome to the 1990's. So why does it take 20 years to get the same technology put into a V8 as has been the standard in four cylinder engines since the 1990's?
Now, if only Chevy and Dodge would discover multiple cam shafts and variable valve timing technology for its V8's.
...how easily can this poney be turbocharged ??
"The list of features on this mill is long. DOHC with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a redline of 7,000 rpm for starters."
lol as if japan hasn't been doing this for two decades now...
True bang for buck. I honestly like how they didn't "lower" it from the factory. Leaves for a great canvas to start some form mods while keeping the sticker price down. But a drop, still, is a must!
^ like
It needs to be lowered, it sits waaaaaay to high. It's a very well sorted package all round though, but I can't get past that little rear quarter window. It just looks so...awkward. Still, I'd take one in a heartbeat if we had them here.
Turbos on this car are already out, a supercharged 5.0 already ran a low 9 second 1/4 mile.
First looks show a 6-8PSI single turbo setup puts around mid 600whp.
Looks very adverage for a new car! Typical american styling....
Wow, this is obvious, Speedhunters sucks Ford's cock....
Wow, this is obvious, Speedhunters sucks Ford's cock....
It's nice that 14 years after the quad cam 32 vavle v8 and IRS in the cobra we are starting to see ford take the base models more seriously although 19 inch rims on a solid axle car is a recipe for snap oversteer disaster.
Looking forward to seeing one at the Virginia City Hill Climb though.
just 2 things missing,,,,, right hand drive and UK dealers
Good thing that US cars are catching up.
What are sequential tail lamps?
"'The list of features on this mill is long. DOHC with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a redline of 7,000 rpm for starters.'
lol as if japan hasn't been doing this for two decades now.."
This is pretty impressive for an Eight cylinder. I can't think of any affordable Japanese cars that offer a DOHC 5.0L V8 with VVT. These same features on an inline four are standard but on an eight cylinder are very new. You can't compare a B18 with this 5.0 motor.
Go ford
@Seriously and jay dub: You know what they haven't been doing for the last 20 years?...making 412hp right out of the box.
Thanks for the info.
A brand new, 400hp car, for 30000USD? Long live America.
Finally, the Mustang can perform well even outside of the dragstrip. The Brembo brakes and 19 inch wheels are an option that you've got to have. With the 2011 Stang, Ford is definitely appealing to the "import" guys, much more than Dodge and Chevy.
Alright "One Ford", why is this only sold in America/Canada? What about Australia?
As for the turbo question, FPV has supercharged it (in the Falcon... again, why is it not exported to the rest of the world?)
yo seriously.... they've been using dohc motors for a while. it hasnt taken 20 years haahhahaha noob
Sometimes, I feel like raped when I see the prices of our cars here in Europe : $30.000 is something like 21.900 , and for this you get a Ford Focus diesel here.
/slit_wrists
My mistake, DOHC was state of the art for four cylinder engines in 1969.
So it took Ford 40 years to catch up to dual cam, but only 20 years to catch up to variable valve timing.
Great review! That NA V8 seems awesome.
"The list of features on this mill is long. DOHC with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a redline of 7,000 rpm for starters." Stuff Toyota had on their V8's since 1990. Now if only the suspension wasn't straight out of the 1960's...despite the fact that GM and Chrysler still have pushrod V8's, at least they come with modern multilink rear suspensions instead of a live axle. Leave the solid rear setup for the FR500CJ drag car where it's useful and at least give the US the IRS out of the Aussie FG Falcon.
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/02/15/Suspension_m_m.jpg
LOVE the interior....except for that god-awful steering wheel. But I'm pretty sold on it!
To Seriously Ford Has been developing the Modular DOHC and for that matter OHC motor for quite some time. and so has GM (In the form of its NorthStar Project) its nothing that new. with that said these motors dfef have alot of new technology in it.
But Just cause its more modern does mean its the best for the application. GM uses the OHV technology because its cheap and it works. Well at eveything. VVT has been incorporated into them for the past 5+ years. Its a truck motor that can easily, simply, and cheaply be transformed into a sportscar motor that has a strong standing in everything from Le Mans, to Drag Racing)
To Jay Dub. its alot easier to make a short stroke, gas conscious 4 cly engine that does those things than to make a v8 that does it so that comparison is nonsense.
The Coyote Motor is a work of art. and deserves to point out that it changes the game in many fashions for the world. the New Mustang def > the New Camaro, Charger, and the motor is a major reason for this. but the pushrod vs. ohc argument is one that is not settled because of this change. so be very cautions to make those claims...
eager to see with the new D.I. OHV High Comp 5.5 motors gonna be about...
The car weighs a ton, and that solid rear axle; what year are we again?
Sorry, as much as I dislike the new 370Z Nissan, I rather get that (with less power), than this new Mustang.
BTW, the Mustang NEEDS desperately those Brembo brakes with its porky weight. Imagine if it didn't.
I only have two complaints: 1. The rear passenger windows just don't sit right. They don't flow with the front side windows, and they really can't serve any real purpose. They should have followed the lines of the front windows down into the body. 2. Chrome in the interior. Audi is the worst at this, and many have followed, but chrome in the interior is distracting, gaudy and pointless. A little carbon fiber-like material, or maybe a dull brushed platinum color would be preferable IMHO.
Still has the live rear axle though, for all the good of the angry motor, awesome looks and good price tag, the thing still has stone age technology. Be nice if a tuner made a kit or something to give it independent suspension in the rear.
Im trying not to get caught looking at this. Its embarrassing to be seen with a mustang. That being said Im quite glad ford has figured out late 80s cylinder head engineering. Hoorah for america
The new motor, coyote, as well as the v-6 version, cyclone, are beasts!!!!!!! I can't wait to fit a turbo on them.
@ ryoga81, call us when Ford breaks into the 100 HP per liter range. 82 HP per liter has been ho-hum average for 15 years.
I'm waiting for the earth shaking news that the Ford and other V8 crowds suddenly discover gasoline direct injection... in 2025!
Gosh, you'll are so picky!
Paying 30k for a 400+ hp brand new car - you can't expect for things to be perfect... you get what you're paying for! For some reason (several of them actually) the M3, just to give an example, is almost twice the price with the same power.
If ford made a full-on sports car out of the mustang, its more than obvious it would be a lot more expensive. just my 2 cents
LiveFast said - "Just cause its more modern does mean its the best for the application. "
Here-here, true enough. Fords sole contribution to advancing automotive technology was the assembly line. They should be able to rest on that accomplishment for another couple hundred years before doing anything innovative.
Im not a ford guy by any stretch of the imagination, but with the SVT focus, this new GT, the new V6 stang and whatever performance package the fiesta will pick up im very excited to see what ford is bringing to the table.
We still need that damn Falcon, damn it Australia!!!!!
Anything with that updated S197 chassis and Coyote motor is very tempting. Have considered trading up one of my older DOHC Stangs for a GT or especially a BOSS.
Glad to see new and better always coming down the line.
The Toyota 1UZ had quad cam with 4 valves per cylinder 22 years ago. From a stock standard engine running full (very restrictive) emissions gear, 250hp out of a 4.0L was quite handy. The bottom end Toyota privately rated to 1000hp and a healthy dose of forced induction can see this quite easily reached.
So why has it taken Ford 20 years to catch up with them? The article mentioned the bail outs given to GM, Ford and Chrysler, but perhaps if they had copied others technology 15-20 years ago, they'd still be somewhere near par with the rest of the world and making cars that people found relevant.
Don't get me wrong. If Ford offered the Mustang over here in Australia for $40k, it would probably be on the top of many peoples toy car list (mine included), but it still needs some more technology from the last 10 years before it could be called "progress".
I'm sorry, but I just do not find this to be a proper "review" or even "driving impression." It feels like I'm re-reading the press-release from Ford. It was all a big advertisement; I saw nothing in this article that makes me want to go drive this car for myself or makes me feel like I understand any more about how this car is to drive. You might as well have just posted the pictures up with "I like the interior, it looks nice, it has 400 horsepower, goes pretty fast, is pretty responsive and if you get the Brembo package it comes with some tires that are pretty grippy too." Would have saved you a lot of time. Sorry, I'm ranting. But it really aggravates me that people don't do proper reviews or tests anymore.
Anyway, about the car. The suspension is medieval, I'm sorry but a live rear axle? When will Ford finally start to realize that if you have four wheels it IS possible to treat them sort of... separately? And for those saying that you cannot relate Japanese four cylinders to big V8's when it comes to DOHC, VVT, etc.: Fair enough. How about the VH45 from the Infiniti Q45 for example? 4.5 Liter V8 with VVT. That was back in the 90's as well.
I'm not trying to be a dick, I like all cars no matter what country built them. But I felt like this was just a big brown-nose article for Ford.
HP/L is ricer math. The new 5.0 is impressive, the amount of performance for the money (new cars) is unbeatable. Sorry guys, Ford puts a twist on things by giving the American v8 "modern technology" and it's fast (12's stock, 11's bolt-ons) for the money. Don't forget that it's a 3600 lbs car with a SRA and getting better track times than plenty of cars praised for their handling.
I like the shape of the new Mustang, very retro looking. But i'm sorry, the Americans just can not design a muscle car/sprots car. The interior is all black and plastic and just yuck, the motors use primitive technology.....they just don't compare to european muscle/sprots cars/sedans!!
For all the people talking smack about Ford finally catching up to technology etc...
Need to Realize that this Motor is still revolutionary!
Name 1 Japanese, or European Car thats making 400hp for this price!
Im pretty Sure Lexus has a 5.0 V8 making 400ish HP and they put it in a $60 Luxury Sedan, not a 30K Mass produced car.
So once japan or Europe can make these numbers in a everyday car for $30,000 USD, then I think you will be able to talk mess.
as stated before American has had this technology for quite some time. but putting it in mass production form has never been done.
I think some of you guys are missing the point. It isn't about how old or new the technology is, it's about how affordable and available you can make it. The Internet was around 20 years before it was in most homes, but it wasn't even fathomable to have in a house because of the cost and production time to put it there.
Komeko-100hp per liter? I've seen that in a Porsche with a straight four pulling over 400hp back in '98. Guess what? That same year model still costs more used than this Mustang new.
And so what if live rear axle is old. I have a 5.0 and somehow, it works. I've driven BMWs before and to be honest, this isn't that far behind them in handling. But it IS much further behind in cost!
Sciclone-your facts are wrong. Ford didn't take the bailout money. The others did, but not Ford.
For all the people saying lame things like "Japan has been doing this for years," take a look at Japan's current offerings. None of them can compete with the Mustang 5.0 on the track. Not the 370Z, the Genesis Coupe, the Lancer Evo, the WRX STi, or the RX-8 can beat the Mustang around the track. Heck, the new BOSS Mustang beat the M3 around Laguna Seca.
@ Syfon: You must be blind or just plain ignorant. Americans can't design a muscle car? Uh...where do you think muscle cars originated from? Oh and there's no such thing as a European muscle car. And don't kid yourself, European cars aren't all that they're cracked up to be. Neither are Japanese cars, whose build quality has been steadily declining over the years.
All you ricers comparing 4-bangers to V8s really make me lol. Nobody cares about HPL.
PS nobody gives a damn about Toyota's V8s and what they're capable of doing.
@JGarage so if you see more Hondas here, than I guess they'd be up in their nuts too? Child please.
what you guys are forgetting is that Ford builds cars by and large for mass consumption. they build them for the average consumer, and not looking to squeeze the last ounce of performance out. hence, a solid axle is more than suitable for 99% of buyers - AND, you CAN make a solid axle perform. just google "American Iron". same deal with OHC and VVT. American V8's had that in the 90s w/ the LT5, Northstar V8, and Aurora V8 - and those all came in EXPENSIVE cars. that technology hasn't been feasible on a *V8* until now in a budget priced car. yes, it's easy and inexpensive to do on a single bank 4-cylinder. not so much on a V8.
the pushrod argument cracks me up. I don't know how you can argue with the technological breakthrough that is the Chevy LS-series motors. do some research before you post garbage. oh, and they've had VVT and direct injection for many years now. and you can go to the junkyard and get one for a grand.
Flabber23 said - 100hp per liter? I've seen that in a Porsche with a straight four pulling over 400hp back in '98. Guess what? That same year model still costs more used than this Mustang new.
So you are telling us that a Porsche starts out worth more than a Mustang, and holds it's resale value better than a Mustang. Perhaps if Ford managed to use some of those new technologies in their products, then Ford could make a car as valuable as a Porsche, both when it is new and when it is pre-owned.
The new 5.0 actually cranks out 436 hp, ford underated the hp figures, and 4.3 0-60 times and 12.7 quartermile times with handling equivalent to the new m3 are not to be laughed at for 35k dont believe me go watch the motortrend video on youtube-2011 5.0 vs m3 track
Mr. Obvious- Agreed. I won't argue with your point bc I think you're right. However, Porches aren't made for average people, Fords are, and to be an average person and be able to afford a N/A 400hp engine along with technology(sync) you can't find on a Porsche, is pretty amazing. My point is that lately, Ford has been able to make easily available to the avg American what was once considered elite only. No matter who or what kind of cars you love the most, you have to give Ford some credit for that.
Flabber23 said - Porches aren't made for average people
So you are saying that average people should accept mediocre cars that are technologically inferior and have a lower performance level. According to your reasoning, stupid people make up the largest segment of the car buying public, which accounts for 100% of Ford's sales.