The engine is powerful and produces a deep, harsh rumble. The design is not exactly modern; actually, the lines are decidedly retro. Ride comfort prevails over pure handling performance and there’s a lack of finesse at high speeds. And it mostly appeals to baby-boomers.
I’m not talking about a Harley-Davidson motorcycle but rather a convertible whose name has been captivating legions of die-hard fans since 1964. The Ford Mustang GT continues to fill with joy the hearts of sports car enthusiasts or, to be more accurate, American sports car enthusiasts. There’s indeed a big difference between a cruiser like the Mustang and a track-ready roadster like the sporty Honda S2000.
Essentially, it comes down to their respective treatment and driving dynamics. The American icon has many qualities but advanced technological refinement is not one of them. That sort of thing is left to more expensive cabriolets such as the Audi TT Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4.
In fact, pricing is a big part of the equation, with Ford banking on affordable performance to attract wind-in-the-hair lovers. This philosophy is shared with direct rivals of the Mustang, including the Chrysler Sebring Cabriolet, Pontiac G6 Cabriolet and the American-wannabe Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
Power to spare
A Mustang GT can be pretty fast. With 315 horsepower on tap (15 more than the old model), accelerations from 0 to 100 km/h are effortlessly completed in under 6 seconds… notwithstanding the disappointing fuel economy of about 14 L/100 km (as tested).
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox or, optionally, a 5-speed automatic. That’s right -- no 6-speed unit, even though the new Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger are available with one.
Who cares! The lower number of gears is absolutely no cause for concern since the transmission of the Mustang is a treat to manipulate. On the other hand, the lack of stability at high speeds is a real shame. Beyond 100 km/h, an expansion joint on a bridge is enough to unsettle the rear axle of the Mustang, almost as if it were a sad old Mercury Grand Marquis. The car jerks sideways and disturbs passengers… who make their complaints heard!
At least the Ford Mustang now comes standard with AdvanceTrac stability control. This system teams up with all-speed traction control and ABS brakes.
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| Becoming a fan of the Ford Mustang GT Convertible means embracing both its refined and rustic attributes. |
I’m not talking about a Harley-Davidson motorcycle but rather a convertible whose name has been captivating legions of die-hard fans since 1964. The Ford Mustang GT continues to fill with joy the hearts of sports car enthusiasts or, to be more accurate, American sports car enthusiasts. There’s indeed a big difference between a cruiser like the Mustang and a track-ready roadster like the sporty Honda S2000.
Essentially, it comes down to their respective treatment and driving dynamics. The American icon has many qualities but advanced technological refinement is not one of them. That sort of thing is left to more expensive cabriolets such as the Audi TT Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4.
In fact, pricing is a big part of the equation, with Ford banking on affordable performance to attract wind-in-the-hair lovers. This philosophy is shared with direct rivals of the Mustang, including the Chrysler Sebring Cabriolet, Pontiac G6 Cabriolet and the American-wannabe Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
Power to spare
A Mustang GT can be pretty fast. With 315 horsepower on tap (15 more than the old model), accelerations from 0 to 100 km/h are effortlessly completed in under 6 seconds… notwithstanding the disappointing fuel economy of about 14 L/100 km (as tested).
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox or, optionally, a 5-speed automatic. That’s right -- no 6-speed unit, even though the new Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger are available with one.
Who cares! The lower number of gears is absolutely no cause for concern since the transmission of the Mustang is a treat to manipulate. On the other hand, the lack of stability at high speeds is a real shame. Beyond 100 km/h, an expansion joint on a bridge is enough to unsettle the rear axle of the Mustang, almost as if it were a sad old Mercury Grand Marquis. The car jerks sideways and disturbs passengers… who make their complaints heard!
At least the Ford Mustang now comes standard with AdvanceTrac stability control. This system teams up with all-speed traction control and ABS brakes.
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| The new V8 engine produces 315 horsepower instead of 300. |