2011 Ford Mustang First Drive
2011 Ford Mustang First Drive - Image courtesy Drew Phillips, AB
The time has come. The very first of the media magnates have grabbed the reins of the 2011 Ford Mustang coupe & 2011 ford Mustang GT and put them both through the wringer. The consensus amongst Motor Trend, Autoblog, and TheCarConnection seems to paint a very similar picture: Ford has got a winner here. Let’s face it; the return of the 5.0 in the 2011 Ford Mustang GT is a big deal. Ford’s golden goose is back to bring miles-o-smiles to many a Mustang enthusiast’s face. With its 302ci power plant back underhood, the 2011 Mustang GT pumps out (an underrated) 412hp & 390tq which is still less than the latest Camaro SS, but the Ford pony car has the bow tie beast beaten in the weight department…amongst many others. The latest Mustang GT is a balanced machine of power, precision, and engineering refinement; a true testament to the quality-focused initiatives Ford is pushing for in these recent times. Keep reading for a brief capsule of what everyone’s saying; we expect to get our paws on a 2011 Mustang very soon to give you guys a true Mustang Enthusiast’s review!
Equipped with the available 3.73 rear axle ($395), our 5.0 needed just 4.3 seconds to hit 60 and only 12.8 at 110.8 mph to knockout the quarter mile. To answer the million-dollar question: Yes, it’s quicker than both the 426-horsepower Chevy Camaro SS (4.5, 12.9 at 110.7) and the 425-horse Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (4.6, 13.1 at 108.4). It’s also not that far behind the 540-horse supercharged 2010 Shelby GT500, which requires 4.1 and 12.4 at 116.0. In the league of naturally aspirated muscle cars, the new Mustang GT is in a league of its own. –Ron Kiino, Motor Trend
I found myself actually saying, “This engine’s a pot of honey.” Out loud, with another human being in the car. Why would anyone make such a ridiculous statement? Probably because the new motor really is a pot of honey, specifically when you’re in fourth gear at 4,000 rpm and you bury the throttle. Turns out that 4,000 rpm is when peak torque (390 lb-ft) happens and the 5.0-liter V8 pulls like a jet airliner. Outside of the GT500 or a very breathed-upon Roush/Saleen, we’ve never experienced this kind of at-speed acceleration in a Mustang. Very impressive, and more than just impressive, a bit intoxicating. From a standstill, the 5.0 is every bit as superb. We won’t be surprised if and when the 2011 Mustang GT breaks into the high 12s running the quarter-mile with a trap in the 112-mph range. Ford went all “no comment” when asked about performance figures, but again we’ll speculate that 0-60 mph is probably mid-4s, which is quick by any method of accounting. –Jonny Lieberman, Autoblog
The first time you see—or hear—a new Mustang GT open up the throttle, you’ll understand why we call it badass. Floor it, and the V-8 develops a deep authoritative bellow that turns heads and sounds way better—especially from the outside—than the more resonated sound from the bigger V-8 in the Camaro SS. And it has the capability to pin you back in your seat with almost supercar thrust, no matter what the gear. Or commit seemingly unlimited acts involving smoky burnouts. –Bengt Halvorson, TheCarConnection
Tags: 2011, 2011 Mustang, road test
Ive been considering another Camaro SS, as I was one of the lucky guys who bought a new Z28 in 1969 as a 19 year old kid. Yesterday, I decided that for many reasons the 2011 Mustang GT was a far better choice. I was finally convinced that a FORD was finally good enough, for me to no longer hold onto my 1969 memories that were holding me loyally to the new Camaro. Sorry to say Chevrolet, but if you wouldnt have waited so long to build the new camaro – and if you would have built an affordable Z28, I would have bought one again. Im on the Mustang GT now and with the 302 engine for the ’11 Stang. Im buying it today as my local Ford dealer is taking orders. I will be driving a very underrated 302 again, only this time the badge says ‘GT’ instead of Z28.
Im no longer in the ‘waiting for GM to build a Z28′ mode. Of the 3 cars to buy, the Stang is best looking the Challenger 2nd and the Camaro 3rd. I drove them all and didnt like the blind spots with the large pillars in the Camaro. The Dodge rode the best but lacks punch. The 2010 Stang rode second best and the Mustang is truly the best overall now for 2011. For those who were waiting to buy a muscle car, the wait is over in my opinion. Its the Mustang GT for me. Im going Drag Racing again – even at 62 years old! Yeah baby!!!
Ordered one a month ago in Silver with .373′s, can’t wait !!!!
J.P.
Talked with the GM of Town and Country Ford yesterday and he wants me to come by and order one exactly how I would like it. When it comes in, he said if I don’t like it, he will sell it to someone else, no questions. Since I am driving a 2010 GT, and the 2011 is a deff upgrade from the 2010, I’m sure I will be purchasing it!!!
By the way ORG OWN 69, I walked away from a deal on a 2010 Camaro, literaly. I was ready to sign the papers and soemthing didn’t feel right.
I too ordered a 2011..a GT/California Special in Grabber Blue with 3.73 rear end and a six-speed manual transmission. Got my order in around Feb. 15th, but I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait. By the way, Original1969 Z28 Owner, I too was a Chevy guy (and Mopar) in the late 60s, but this is going to be my third Mustang since the S197 platform debuted in late 2004…it just gets better and better…
[...] weeks after the wrapping was removed from the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, media moguls everywhere got some good seat time in, putting the latest Ford pony car through the paces. The [...]
I am holding my breath for a 2012 mach1 rebirth; otherwise i love what i see.
I sat inside the new Camaros and noticed they were lagging in the eye candy/functionality that ford has; even the corvettes seem to be years behind. with that said, one has to be cautious because as an Audi owner as well; electronics when they fail are an pain to fix
I ordered a 2011 mustang G.T. in early March. Candy red with the trac-pak and 3.73′s. I’ve been seeing them driving around the Ford R&D center in dearborn where i work. Talked to some of the people involved with the car, and a big smile breaks out on the face of everyone i ask.