Since 1964, the Ford Mustang has aspired to be the common man’s sports car. It wanted to be the performance machine for the working class Joe Six Pack. Even though his bank account couldn’t sniff the fastest wheels out of Germany or Italy, he could roll fast and in style with his Pony.
It’s been a matter of fierce debate for years how close any make of Mustang actually came to providing that everyman with his elite sports car experience. Some makes could flirt with the straight line power and speed of a Ferrari or Porsche, but the rear wheel drive and basic back axle suspension left it lagging behind in the handling department. The Mustang could go fast in one direction – almost as fast as foreign sports cars, depending on your set-up. But, once you hit the turn, the Mustang would fall behind thanks to fish-tailing or under steer.
But, with the arrival of Ford’s 2013 Mustang could mean a new era in Pony Car performance out of Michigan. Ford first let the horse out of the barn at a special Dearborn HQ event at the automaker’s testing track. Reporters got an all-too brief look at three variations – the sport-tuned V6, the 500 GT and the Boss 302.
The press didn’t get a proper close-up examination until a special premiere event in downtown Los Angeles as part of the LA Auto Show. Ford took over a classic movie house and parked a set of primary-colored Mustangs on-stage for the big unveiling.
The Mustang GT500 is essentially the most powerful, fastest production Mustang to date. With a 650 hp and 650 ft. lb. of torque roaring out a aluminum, 5.8 liter V8 block supercharged power plant, Ford was eager to report that the GT500 ran just north of 200 mph in track tests – putting it within shouting distance of the Ford GT, the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari Maranello.
But, can it handle the chicane as well as those much more expensive rides? To tighten up the handling, the GT500 now sports a Torsen limited slip differential, a carbon fiber drive shaft for reduced weight, a carbon fiber plated rear axle, dampers and 19-inch allow wheels in front, 20s at the back. Brembo provides the braking kit, including massive14-inch vented front discs.
To hail the coming of the new GT500, Caroll Shelby himself was on hand in Los Angeles to declare the 2013 model to be his favorite performance car of all time.
“(The GT500) is the greatest Mustang ever built,” Shelby said. “I’ve spent a lot of time working with the best crew I’ve ever seen designing, testing and putting this car together. I think with this Mustang we really got it right. I’m a lucky old man to be a part of it.”
The GT500’s cousin, the Boss 302, serves up 444 hp with 380 lb.-ft. of torque, managed by a tight, close-ratio six speed manual transmission. The car will wear a throwback School Bus Yellow color scheme with a “hockey stick” graphics package.
I’ve done track laps in the Boss 302, and drivers will love the noise most of all. The yellow beast comes with a roaring, sodium-filled exhaust valve set – muffled just enough to be legal. The resulting growl is nothing short of an audible feast.
Finally, the V6 model will come with a special performance package, including a twin independent variable camshaft timing V6 with 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. Throw in friction brake pads and alloy wheels, and the Mustang driver on a budget can still sample a bit of high performance driving.
It’s been a matter of fierce debate for years how close any make of Mustang actually came to providing that everyman with his elite sports car experience. Some makes could flirt with the straight line power and speed of a Ferrari or Porsche, but the rear wheel drive and basic back axle suspension left it lagging behind in the handling department. The Mustang could go fast in one direction – almost as fast as foreign sports cars, depending on your set-up. But, once you hit the turn, the Mustang would fall behind thanks to fish-tailing or under steer.
But, with the arrival of Ford’s 2013 Mustang could mean a new era in Pony Car performance out of Michigan. Ford first let the horse out of the barn at a special Dearborn HQ event at the automaker’s testing track. Reporters got an all-too brief look at three variations – the sport-tuned V6, the 500 GT and the Boss 302.
The press didn’t get a proper close-up examination until a special premiere event in downtown Los Angeles as part of the LA Auto Show. Ford took over a classic movie house and parked a set of primary-colored Mustangs on-stage for the big unveiling.
The Mustang GT500 is essentially the most powerful, fastest production Mustang to date. With a 650 hp and 650 ft. lb. of torque roaring out a aluminum, 5.8 liter V8 block supercharged power plant, Ford was eager to report that the GT500 ran just north of 200 mph in track tests – putting it within shouting distance of the Ford GT, the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari Maranello.
But, can it handle the chicane as well as those much more expensive rides? To tighten up the handling, the GT500 now sports a Torsen limited slip differential, a carbon fiber drive shaft for reduced weight, a carbon fiber plated rear axle, dampers and 19-inch allow wheels in front, 20s at the back. Brembo provides the braking kit, including massive14-inch vented front discs.
To hail the coming of the new GT500, Caroll Shelby himself was on hand in Los Angeles to declare the 2013 model to be his favorite performance car of all time.
“(The GT500) is the greatest Mustang ever built,” Shelby said. “I’ve spent a lot of time working with the best crew I’ve ever seen designing, testing and putting this car together. I think with this Mustang we really got it right. I’m a lucky old man to be a part of it.”
The GT500’s cousin, the Boss 302, serves up 444 hp with 380 lb.-ft. of torque, managed by a tight, close-ratio six speed manual transmission. The car will wear a throwback School Bus Yellow color scheme with a “hockey stick” graphics package.
I’ve done track laps in the Boss 302, and drivers will love the noise most of all. The yellow beast comes with a roaring, sodium-filled exhaust valve set – muffled just enough to be legal. The resulting growl is nothing short of an audible feast.
Finally, the V6 model will come with a special performance package, including a twin independent variable camshaft timing V6 with 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. Throw in friction brake pads and alloy wheels, and the Mustang driver on a budget can still sample a bit of high performance driving.
