2011 Ford Mustang
Prices: $22,145-$29,645
LOS ANGELES—Next to the Model T, which seems to have become
too old for even history books, the Ford Mustang has become the best
known Ford model since it was snapped up by all age groups right after
its mid-1964 introduction.
There’s something to be said for automotive continuity. For
example, while Chevrolet dropped its Camaro for eight years after 2002,
the Mustang has been continued since its debut.
A media preview of the new Mustang in the Los Angeles area involved
everything from mountain driving to drag races with the rival Camaro.
It showed the 2011 Mustang to be the best Mustang yet. It reaches
showrooms in mid-spring.
The 2011 Mustang looks much the same as the 2010 model and has minimal
weight gain because the latter was redesigned with fresh sheet metal,
an interior update, chassis retuning and other improvements.
However, the latest Mustang has changes such as a new front fascia on
the GT V-8, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields,
taller air dam and added rear decklid seal.
The nifty looking interior has supportive front seats and is quiet,
thanks to the car’s improved aerodynamics and such
soundproofing materials as new door seals and a rear wheel arch liner
that reduces road noise for a quieter, more enjoyable drive. A new
dual-exhaust system is mellow at idle but howls sufficiently at full
throttle, as it should in such a sporty car.
A new V-6 has a genuine dual exhaust system—not fake dual
exhaust outlets--and a new V-8 even has specially designed tubular
exhaust headers—usually an aftermarket item installed by hot
rodders—to improve overall engine efficiency. A Mustang team
analyst actually fabricated the headers in his home
workshop.
There also are a new speedometer and tachometer housed in a one-piece
instrument panel. The design is crafted in soft-touch
“skin” encompassing available aluminum-finish
panels. Chrome-ringed gauges and dual-vane register vents are precisely
crafted, and there’s a standard driver’s message
center in the instrument cluster and integrated blind-spot mirrors in
side-view mirror housings.
Newly available is Ford’s MyKey system, designed to encourage
safer teen driving and seat belt use. It lets Mustang owners program
the car’s key, using the message center, to incorporate
features such as limited top speed and audio volume, along with a
persistent “belt-minder” seat belt reminder and
various speed alert chimes.
On the negative side, most sound system and climate controls are small.
Long doors are inconvenient in tight spots, and the rear seat can be a
hassle to enter or leave for those who aren’t very athletic.
But it contains sufficient room for two 6-footers—at least
for shorter trips.
The opening for the fairly large trunk is high, although a
demonstration showed that it’s easier to load with suitcases
of various sizes and shapes than the Camaro’s
trunk.
The major news is that the $22,145 Mustang V-6 finally dumps its
ancient 210-horsepower V-6 for an ultramodern 305-horsepower aluminum
V-6.
A new 5-liter V-8 in the $29,645 GT model produces 412 horsepower,
easily outdoing the 4.6-liter, 315-horsepower V-8 in the 2010 Mustang.
Merging and quick passing maneuvers are easy with either engine.
The new Mustang has the first V-6 to have 305 ponies and generate an
EPA rating of 31 mpg on highways. Fuel economy figures are 19 mpg in
the city and 31 highway with an automatic
transmission—up from 16 and 24 for the weaker 2010 V-6.
Figures with a manual gearbox are 19 city and 29 highway, up from 18
and 26 for the 2010 manual-transmission Mustang V-6.
Despite its hefty horsepower increase, the new V-8 is not a
gas-guzzler. It provides a best-in-class 26 mpg on highways with a
manual transmission. The city figure is 17. With an automatic, the
numbers are 25 highway and 18 city.
Both engines works with a new six-speed manual gearbox or a
new six-speed automatic transmission.
The responsive automatic upshifts smoothly and downshifts promptly.The
manual transmission shifts surely, but somewhat stiffly, and works with
a long-throw clutch that can cause gear “crunch”
noise if a driver doesn’t depress it fully enough.
Both dual-overhead-camshaft engines are very sophisticated, and the V-8
even looks like a nice piece of sculpture. Thank goodness Ford
didn’t cover it with a large piece of plastic. Open the hood
at drive-ins and watch the engine draw a crowd of car lovers.
High-performance buffs should appreciate the fact that the aluminum V-8
has new four-valve- per-cylinder heads featuring a compact
roller-finger
follower valvetrain layout--leaving more room for high-flow ports for
free-breathing performance.
One might think that most younger drivers—especially
males--would opt for the Mustang GT V-8. But Amy Marentic, a top
Mustang marketing manager, said the V-6 promises to attract many
younger buyers because it costs less, has more than 300 horsepower and
will be cheaper to insure than the GT V-8 model.
Available this summer for the V-6 version will be a new Performance
Package. It contains a 3.31 axle ratio for faster initial acceleration,
firmer GT suspension, 19-inch wheels, better-grip tires, strut tower
brace for increased chassis rigidity and unique electronic stability
control calibration with a sport mode for performance
driving.
The new Mustang feels more solid and secure. It lacks an independent
rear suspension—a Camaro feature--but hardly seems
to need one on most roads because it delivers a secure, road-hugging
ride.
Steering is quick and precise, with the right amount of power assist
for parking and highway driving, and an improved suspension helps allow
sharp handling. Shock tuning and spring rates were revised to provide a
smooth highway ride, while new rear lower control arms and stiffened
stabilizer bar bushings improve stiffness and handling for better
cornering response.
The standard brakes stop the car quickly, with good pedal feel, and
extra-powerful Brembo brakes can be ordered on the GT for really hard
driving.
With potent new engines and improvements, the 2011 Mustang should
continue to be one of Ford’s most popular cars.
