The 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

412 horsepower.  390 ft-lbs of torque.  32 valves.  A 7,000rpm redline.  All aluminum block & heads.  These are a few of our favorite things from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and the beauty is, they all come in one potent package.  The 2011 Ford Mustang GT comes with the 5.0-liter V8 power plant and tips the dyno just about 15hp shy of the Chevrolet Camaro SS.  After seeing the 2011 Mustang V6 shell out over 300 horsepower, we knew Ford had more up their sleeve and quite frankly, we’re glad we were right!

The new 5.0-liter power plant isn’t just some re-stroke.  It’s a whole new engine setup.  Designed in mind to handle a myriad of tech and marry it with old-school brawn, the latest 5-oh is totally dressed for success.  From its TiVCT (variable camshaft timing system) to its stainless steel headers, the 2011 5.0 Mustang is one promising not only power & performance, but also refinement.  All this power and torque comes in a package which can achieve up to 25 mpg on the highway.  How’s it done?  True Ford engineering, newer technological concepts, and some light nudging from a 6-speed (yes, that’s six gears!) transmission.  Keep reading to check out more shots and specs…or, if you want to skip the eye candy, feel free to dive right into the official Ford Mustang GT technical specifications.

Beneath the 2011 5.0 Mustang hood, we find a sharpened, refined power plant, a cleaner appearance, and plenty of blue-blooded Ford pride throughout.  The intake is by far the eye-catching fashion plate here.  From the neck-twisting 5.0 badging to the subtle 32-valve, Ti-VCT statement, this newly reborn 302ci engine steals the hearts of the tenured and the minds of the youth.

5.0-liter camshaft covers proudly proclaim, "Powered by Ford."

As we’ve mentioned before, we’re especially pleased with the efforts Ford Has made to clean up and tidy the engine bay dramatically over years past.  Had this housekeeping not been done, we might not have been able to read the camshaft lettering exhibiting the true nature of what’s to behold: Powered by Ford.

Rear quarter windows evoke the classic 1965-66 Mustang Shelby GT350.

The one highly-debated aspect of the 2010 Ford Mustang everyone makes note of is most definitely the rear end of the car.  This time around, the 2011 Ford Mustang helps take a little pinch out of the sting and continues to build upon epic cues of the 1965 & 1966 Shelby Mustang.  These angles and window touches make the prior bitter pill easier to swallow when gazing upon the 2011 Mustang hindquarters.

New fender badges send the clear signal that the 5.0 is back.

In case there’s even any doubt of the Legendary 5.0 V-8′s rebirth, the distinct and universally recognizable 5.0 badges on each of the Ford Mustang front fenders ensures that doubt is going to be a minimal portion of the equation.  Between the 5.0 badge and the sexy, oversized brake rotor pictured, we found this to be one of our favorite shots aside from the engine bay.

The 2011 Mustang features a decklid mounted antenna to facilitate satellite radio reception.

This shot of the decklid clearly shows that tech is a clear part of the S197 Mustang platform.  Satellite radio is featured in the 2011 Mustang, of course, and in the interest of avoiding the “shark fin” or some other hideous R/C car sized antenna, Ford opted for a nice little “belly button” antenna as to avoid being overly obvious.

Sideview mirrors have been optimized to reduce aerodynamic drag and wind noise.

The 2011 Mustang is proven to take the prior platform and move it to the next level with attention to many details and improvements.  Such refinements related to ambient noise levels and aerodynamic drag co-efficiencies can be found even in the simplest of places.  A prime example is seen here, in the updated sideview mirrors.

For 2011, the Mustang GT tachometer redline advances to 7,000-rpm.

The MyColor gauge cluster is something everyone who’s seen an equipped S197 Mustang can surely relate to.  What’s most surprising here, however, is something not witnessed before: a 7,000 revolution/minute redline on the tachometer.  How sweet it is…

The center stack and console are home to the audio system and HVAC controls.

On the inside, the 2011 Ford Mustang keeps the initiatives rolling forward and takes a few cues from other updated Ford platforms.  The center stack is the continued home of the killer audio system, climate controls, and traction control (de)activation switch.

Ambient lighting welcomes drivers with backlit Mustang lettering in the sill plate.

In case you, or anyone else you’re near, ever forgets just what slice of Ford pride you are driving, there’s a new ambient lighting system in place for the 2011 Mustang.  The MUSTANG lettering is illuminated in both the driver and passenger side sillplates as slick finishing touch.  It might not seem like much, but we’ve gotta say, there’s always goodness in the details.  You just have to have the artist’s and enthusiast’s eye to catch it right.