The six-speed has tightly-spaced ratios for the lower gears, giving drivers quick and repeated access to the redline at full throttle. While there, the new V8 feels far more alarmed and urgent than the unit it replaces-- and drivers will have to watch their speed very, very carefully. As naturally-aspirated Mustangs go, this thing’s a whole new kind of fast.
The V6 is no slouch either. Revs climb without the potency of the V8, though a strong, peaky powercurve keeps things exciting. Towards the top of the tachometer, the V6 makes a dry, reedy and semi-exotic howl that calls cars like the Nissan 350Z and recently-resurrected Camaro RS to mind.
With the added power and the same standard six-speed stick and limited slip diff as the GT, the Mustang V6 has finally become the performance car it never was.
There’s a six-speed automatic available on both engines, too. It doesn’t come with a manual mode, because Ford says their enthusiast Mustang customers almost universally prefer to shift gears with a clutch.
End of the day, it’s all about selection. On that note, there’s even a performance package available on the V6, as well as upgrades like Brembo brakes available on the V8. The California Special edition ‘GT’ Mustang lives on, too.
Though most of the new-for-2011 action happens under Mustang’s hood, the revisions reach far beyond simple powertrain upgrades. Barely an inch of the car, which was redesigned just a year ago, has been left unchanged. New technologies and materials are applied to the interior, the body has been upgraded discreetly for aerodynamics, and the suspension benefits from numerous advancements for sharper handling.
All driver controls have been sharpened, too. Most notably, the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) feels lively and responsive, and the manual shifter works with a delightfully short throw. Tough the `Stang still handles with its trademark solid-rear-axle jiggle on rougher surfaces, it’s ultimately more nimble and agile than ever.
After several hundred miles spent with both powerplants along California’s Pacific Coast, your writer found the 2011 Mustang instantly and effortlessly felt like a sharper, lighter, tighter and faster version of the 2010 model. The long-lived rawness and gristle that have defined Mustang for decades are still largely present, and the improvements have once again bettered the car while leaving its soul and character very much intact.
The 2011 Mustang hits dealer lots soon, and it’s going to move fast-- figuratively and otherwise.
 |
| The new-for-2011 action happens under Mustang’s hood, the revisions reach far beyond simple powertrain upgrades. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
The V6 is no slouch either. Revs climb without the potency of the V8, though a strong, peaky powercurve keeps things exciting. Towards the top of the tachometer, the V6 makes a dry, reedy and semi-exotic howl that calls cars like the Nissan 350Z and recently-resurrected Camaro RS to mind.
With the added power and the same standard six-speed stick and limited slip diff as the GT, the Mustang V6 has finally become the performance car it never was.
There’s a six-speed automatic available on both engines, too. It doesn’t come with a manual mode, because Ford says their enthusiast Mustang customers almost universally prefer to shift gears with a clutch.
End of the day, it’s all about selection. On that note, there’s even a performance package available on the V6, as well as upgrades like Brembo brakes available on the V8. The California Special edition ‘GT’ Mustang lives on, too.
Though most of the new-for-2011 action happens under Mustang’s hood, the revisions reach far beyond simple powertrain upgrades. Barely an inch of the car, which was redesigned just a year ago, has been left unchanged. New technologies and materials are applied to the interior, the body has been upgraded discreetly for aerodynamics, and the suspension benefits from numerous advancements for sharper handling.
All driver controls have been sharpened, too. Most notably, the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) feels lively and responsive, and the manual shifter works with a delightfully short throw. Tough the `Stang still handles with its trademark solid-rear-axle jiggle on rougher surfaces, it’s ultimately more nimble and agile than ever.
After several hundred miles spent with both powerplants along California’s Pacific Coast, your writer found the 2011 Mustang instantly and effortlessly felt like a sharper, lighter, tighter and faster version of the 2010 model. The long-lived rawness and gristle that have defined Mustang for decades are still largely present, and the improvements have once again bettered the car while leaving its soul and character very much intact.
The 2011 Mustang hits dealer lots soon, and it’s going to move fast-- figuratively and otherwise.
 |
| The 2011 Mustang instantly and effortlessly felt like a sharper, lighter, tighter and faster version of the 2010 model. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Article Gallery