Once the GT is at cruising speed, routine passing can be confidently undertaken without the need to gear down, but what
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| This V8 loves to rev, and as cogs are swapped, it roars to its redline time and time again with nary a hint of breathlessness. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
would Steve McQueen say about that? This V8 loves to rev, and as cogs are swapped, it roars to its redline time and time again with nary a hint of breathlessness. Power delivery is linear and unrelenting, launching the GT to 96 km/h (60 mph) in a breathtaking 4.9 seconds (5.1 seconds with the automatic), while emitting a roar through its twin pipes that would have the MGM lion choosing flight over fight. I was tickled to find my Legend Lime-coloured tester was equipped with a manual mixer, rather than the optional autobox. This short-throw, short-lever unit notched through the
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| My Legend Lime-coloured tester was equipped with a manual mixer, rather than the optional autobox. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
slots with accuracy, but a firm hand was needed due to shift actuation that is a tad on the stiff side. The clutch engaged progressively, at the high end of its travel, which made shifting like a pro - or old Steve - that much easier. Unlike the manual drivelines in premium performance cars like the V8-powered
Audi S4 and BMW 540i, the Mustang's driveline is slightly less polished, emitting more noise and slap. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially to the truly performance-minded folk who prefer not being over-insulated from the raw power under foot, and who savour every mechanical nuance in its production.
