Ford has not left the Mustang alone, ever. In fact, since the retro rebirth of the car for the 2005 model year, Ford has multiplied the number of varying editions to a level matching that of Porsche.
2013 marks the forth consecutive model year that Ford injects more life and niceties into their very attainable flagship performance car. The 2013 Ford Mustang line-up maybe the most complete ever with, quite literally, something for everyone.
In the past, editions such as the SVO, Mach 1 and Bullitt made us all foam at the mouth, but the latest crop of special 'Stangs is truly dream-worthy.
I'll start with the basic car and work my way up to the top.
2013 Ford Mustang V6
Where else will you find a 305-hp, two-door coupe for under $24K? The V6 Mustang is the first step into the family and is not to be perceived as a base car. In fact, the V6 pushes out more than 70 hp more than a GT did 15 years ago.
The 3.7L is rev-happy and won't let you down unless you're really pushing it. Be it with the 6-speed manual or automatic, this car is not only affordable and fast, but it's a blast to drive.
Want more out of your V6? Moving up to a Premium and selecting the Performance Package, the V6 goes from "how-do-you-do" to "hold on!" The option package adds a strut-tower brace, larger front and rear sway bars, better springs, pads and a different stability program. Throw in 19" summer tires and a limited-slip differential, and you've got a V6 Mustang that can tango with a GT on a track.
The Convertible V6 is the perfect car for any and all types of summer cruising scenarios. It's got all the styling, plenty of performance and comfort for short or long hauls. For a little over $36,000, a leather-lined 6-speed auto Convertible V6 becomes the perfect me-time ride.
2013 Ford Mustang GT
The Mustang GT is the perennial performance pony car. The return of the 5.0 in 2011 cemented the Mustang's position in American musclecar enthusiasts' hearts, thanks to the V8's 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
GT are two letters that, according to some, stand for "Get There". The Mustang GT will do so but not quietly. The raging V8's growl is intoxicating and shifting the 6-speed, heavy-throw shifter and weighty clutch are clear signs that this car is not for the weak. Standard 18" wheels, rear spoiler and big tailpipes tell tales of going fast.
The GT can be kitted out with a few performance accessories which are a must if it will spend any amount of time on a track. The GT Brembo Brake Racing Package makes loads of sense. For a little over $2,000, the car grows upgraded pads, callipers and booster, a 3.73 Torsen rear differential, an oil cooler, a Boss radiator and fatty 19" wheels and tires.
Here again, the convertible version is an ideal leisure vehicle, albeit with a crap-load more power than the V6. The drop-tops lose out handling-wise, but straight-line good times are never affected.
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The Mustang Boss is incredible. It's difficult not to get excited about a car that goes really fast around a corner and really fast on the way out. The Boss 302 features the same 5.0L V8 as the GT, but is configured to sacrifice some low-end grunt for extra oomph higher up in the rev range.
All 444 hp stampede in at 7,400 rpm. That kind of power requires extra attention management-wise, hence why the Boss gets an engine oil cooler and a heavy-duty radiator. More proof of this car's dedicated nature comes from the fact that it does away with some nice-to-haves, including heated mirrors, auto climate control and seatback storage pockets.
What come included with the sub-$49,000 price is a devoted sport suspension, fatty 19" performance wheels and tires, a 6-speed manual transmission (no automatic offered here) and a few physical markings. The only extras are Recaro sport seats and Torsen differential.
To drive this car is to understand the chasm-like difference that lies between it and the GT. The most notable improvements are made to weight transfers, which are all but cancelled out, and the brakes. The Boss chews up and spits out apexes with never-before-seen ease in a Mustang. The 302 lunges forward with authority but it's in the corners where the car shines. Shopping for a weekend track car? This is the one.
2013 Ford Mustang GT500
Do you want the most frightening, powerful and mega-badass car this side of $100k? This is it!
The Shelby GT500 is everything it is supposed to be and more. In the right conditions and with Launch Control (yes, it has it), the supercharged 5.8L V8 will catapult the big coupe to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds! Its 662 hp are unparalleled: this is the most powerful production V8 in the world. Yes, it's a Ford, not a Ferrari.
The GT500 is unmistakeable. With its bulging hood, enormous staggered 19" and 20" wheels and tires, and growl that makes the dead wish they were buried even deeper, the GT500 is the angriest mass-production street-legal car. A quick glance reveals the absence of a front grille; the better to suck in massive quantities of air with. This is serious!
The Shelby, a $62,000 investment in going very fast, can also be delivered with a retractable soft top for an extra $5,000.
2013 marks the forth consecutive model year that Ford injects more life and niceties into their very attainable flagship performance car. The 2013 Ford Mustang line-up maybe the most complete ever with, quite literally, something for everyone.
In the past, editions such as the SVO, Mach 1 and Bullitt made us all foam at the mouth, but the latest crop of special 'Stangs is truly dream-worthy.
I'll start with the basic car and work my way up to the top.
2013 Ford Mustang V6
 |
| Photo: Ford |
Where else will you find a 305-hp, two-door coupe for under $24K? The V6 Mustang is the first step into the family and is not to be perceived as a base car. In fact, the V6 pushes out more than 70 hp more than a GT did 15 years ago.
The 3.7L is rev-happy and won't let you down unless you're really pushing it. Be it with the 6-speed manual or automatic, this car is not only affordable and fast, but it's a blast to drive.
Want more out of your V6? Moving up to a Premium and selecting the Performance Package, the V6 goes from "how-do-you-do" to "hold on!" The option package adds a strut-tower brace, larger front and rear sway bars, better springs, pads and a different stability program. Throw in 19" summer tires and a limited-slip differential, and you've got a V6 Mustang that can tango with a GT on a track.
The Convertible V6 is the perfect car for any and all types of summer cruising scenarios. It's got all the styling, plenty of performance and comfort for short or long hauls. For a little over $36,000, a leather-lined 6-speed auto Convertible V6 becomes the perfect me-time ride.
2013 Ford Mustang GT
 |
| Photo: Ford |
The Mustang GT is the perennial performance pony car. The return of the 5.0 in 2011 cemented the Mustang's position in American musclecar enthusiasts' hearts, thanks to the V8's 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
GT are two letters that, according to some, stand for "Get There". The Mustang GT will do so but not quietly. The raging V8's growl is intoxicating and shifting the 6-speed, heavy-throw shifter and weighty clutch are clear signs that this car is not for the weak. Standard 18" wheels, rear spoiler and big tailpipes tell tales of going fast.
The GT can be kitted out with a few performance accessories which are a must if it will spend any amount of time on a track. The GT Brembo Brake Racing Package makes loads of sense. For a little over $2,000, the car grows upgraded pads, callipers and booster, a 3.73 Torsen rear differential, an oil cooler, a Boss radiator and fatty 19" wheels and tires.
Here again, the convertible version is an ideal leisure vehicle, albeit with a crap-load more power than the V6. The drop-tops lose out handling-wise, but straight-line good times are never affected.
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
 |
| Photo: Ford |
The Mustang Boss is incredible. It's difficult not to get excited about a car that goes really fast around a corner and really fast on the way out. The Boss 302 features the same 5.0L V8 as the GT, but is configured to sacrifice some low-end grunt for extra oomph higher up in the rev range.
All 444 hp stampede in at 7,400 rpm. That kind of power requires extra attention management-wise, hence why the Boss gets an engine oil cooler and a heavy-duty radiator. More proof of this car's dedicated nature comes from the fact that it does away with some nice-to-haves, including heated mirrors, auto climate control and seatback storage pockets.
What come included with the sub-$49,000 price is a devoted sport suspension, fatty 19" performance wheels and tires, a 6-speed manual transmission (no automatic offered here) and a few physical markings. The only extras are Recaro sport seats and Torsen differential.
To drive this car is to understand the chasm-like difference that lies between it and the GT. The most notable improvements are made to weight transfers, which are all but cancelled out, and the brakes. The Boss chews up and spits out apexes with never-before-seen ease in a Mustang. The 302 lunges forward with authority but it's in the corners where the car shines. Shopping for a weekend track car? This is the one.
2013 Ford Mustang GT500
 |
| Photo: Ford |
Do you want the most frightening, powerful and mega-badass car this side of $100k? This is it!
The Shelby GT500 is everything it is supposed to be and more. In the right conditions and with Launch Control (yes, it has it), the supercharged 5.8L V8 will catapult the big coupe to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds! Its 662 hp are unparalleled: this is the most powerful production V8 in the world. Yes, it's a Ford, not a Ferrari.
The GT500 is unmistakeable. With its bulging hood, enormous staggered 19" and 20" wheels and tires, and growl that makes the dead wish they were buried even deeper, the GT500 is the angriest mass-production street-legal car. A quick glance reveals the absence of a front grille; the better to suck in massive quantities of air with. This is serious!
The Shelby, a $62,000 investment in going very fast, can also be delivered with a retractable soft top for an extra $5,000.
| V6 | GT | Boss 302 | Shelby GT500 | |
| Coupe MSRP | $23 999 | $39 299 | $48 799 | $61 699 |
| Convertible MSRP | $31 999 | $44 299 | n/a | $66 699 |
| Engine | 3.7L V6 | 5.0L V8 | 5.0L V8 | Supercharged 5.8L V8 |
| HP @ RPM | 305 @ 6,500 | 420 @ 6,500 | 444 @ 7,400 | 662 @ 6,500 |
| Torque @ RPM | 280 @ 4,250 | 390 @ 4,250 | 380 @ 4,500 | 631 @ 4,000 |