But Can It Stop?
Until now, if you wanted a set of Brembo fixed-piston calipers on your Mustang you either had to have a GT500 or turn to the aftermarket. When the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro made their debuts, they both boasted a set of big Brembo braking systems, leaving the Mustang GT the only car in its class to still have a non-performance- oriented braking system. Now don't get me wrong, the brakes on the Mustang weren't bad by any means, especially considering its weight advantage over its competitors. But they just had a hard time standing up to the heat and abuse that track driving dealt out. Thankfully that performance rift has been closed with the newly available Brembo Brake package for the GT - giving the Mustang the same size 14-inch brakes as its heftier counterparts. This package also adds a set of 19-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires to deliver maximum grip with minimal rotational mass.
Not Just a Straight-Line Car
Muscle cars have always conjured up images of wheelie-popping drag racers rocketing down the quarter-mile. But that is so a thing of the past. Today's muscle cars not only come with the promise of tire-melting torque, but also with the ability to deliver thrills hurtling through corners too. Now I know what you are going to say, "The Mustang still has a live axle. Those things can't handle at all." And that is where you would be wrong. Last year I had the chance to drive Detroit's three modern muscle offerings at Auto Club Speedway's Infield Road Course in Fontana, CA and to my surprise, the 2010 Mustang GT with optional "Track Package" was by far the most nimble and fun to drive of the three - proving that Independent Rear Suspension is not always a prerequisite for good handling. Ford has put lots of time and money into their live-axle setup and has become quite adept at delivering sporty and predictable handling dynamics with it. For the 2011 Mustang, Ford has further revised its suspension with the promise of even better handling than previous years. They have revised the rear lower control arm setup to add stiffness as well as retuned the spring rates, damping rates, and front and rear sway bar stiffness for improved handling dynamics.
"Attitude is a Little Thing that Makes a Big Difference" - Winston Churchill
Make no mistake, the 2011 Mustang GT comes with attitude oozing out its pores. There will be no mistaking it for its 4.6L equipped predecessor. Instead of the old "GT" fender badges, big "5.0" emblems sit in their place as if to warn other drives to beware. This cars attitude is further expressed through the exhaust note of its new power plant. A video has recently surfaced on YouTube of the new GT testing at Spring Mountain Motorsports Race Track in Pahrump, Nevada. The video may be short but it has 3 full-throttle passes showcasing the exhilarating aria of the new motor. The bark of the highcompression engine (now 11.0:1) is reminiscent of the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s and just listening to it is enough to raise the hairs on your neck and elevate your heart rate. The 2011's attitude continues inside where the speedometer now reads up to 160 mph providing a just a hint of the performance potential it is capable of.
Updates Across the Line
The GT isn't the only Mustang to receive updates from Ford. The base V6 and the GT500 get a heap of new technology as well. The 2011 V6 gets a new 3.7L DOHC V6 engine (replacing the old 4.0L SOHC unit) that develops 305 horsepower - that's as much as the 2005-2009 GT - yet carries a 30 mpg highway fuel economy. The V6 model also now enjoys an aggressive looking dual exhaust just like its GT big brother.
The GT500 also receives a slight power bump for 2011, up 10 horsepower to 550 thanks in part to a new 2.75-inch exhaust system. Now while this may seem like a minor update, the increase belies the all-new 5.4L engine at the heart of this beast. Gone is the cast-iron block of yore, replaced by an all-aluminum block saving 102 lbs up front and giving the once nose-heavy Shelby a much more desirable weight distribution. It also sees a bump in fuel economy of 1 mpg across the board which is enough to keep it from requiring a gas-guzzler tax. New options are also available including the new SVT Performance Package (stickier rubber, lighter wheels, higher rear axle ratio, and stiffer suspension) and glass roof.
Mustang Math
All of these improvements add together to deliver a totally new Mustang experience. Adding 412 hp, more grip, better brakes, and a lighter curb weight than any of its competitors gives you an equation that equals pure joy. Personally, I can't wait to get my chance to get behind the wheel of the 5.0 to experience firsthand what these improvements will actually translate into for the person sitting in the driver's seat.
