Welcome, everyone, to every American boy racer's newest aspiration. 305 Horses, 6 speed manual gearbox to use them properly, and a Limited Slip Differential for when 'ol Seabiscuit wants ride like the wind. It's the Ford Mustang, and it's got Ford's new V6 engine which everyone's been taking very seriously.
And the news only gets better when it comes to figures:
- Starts at $23,000
- 0-60 in 5.5 seconds
- Quarter mile passes in the 14 second range
- 280 lb-ft of torque from a 3.7L V6
- 30 miles to a gallon
The Drive:
I expected the engine to be harsh, the suspension to be vague, and the steering feel unresponsive. I had great...ly stupid expectations. The V6 engine should get due credit here for having properly impressive low-down torque. To set off, blip the throttle, and slowly disengage the clutch. The shifter is probably one of the more comfortable ones I've used, and is accompanied positively by direct throws. And the ride is comfortable, and adequately stiff around a few corners that exist in the state of Florida.
Characteristically, all Mustangs from the basic V6 to the Shelby GT500 have heavy flywheels. Now, in one sense, it's good because it means the engine is able to hold its revs in sticky situations like slow-moving boulevard, or rush hour freeway traffic. But it doesn't make well for quick shifting since the engine speed doesn't drop quickly enough, causing the driver to beat the engine to every shift. Downshifts are a bit better, but that's mainly due to the relatively close ratios.
The steering was surprisingly direct, offering plenty of feel and feedback. It allowed for quick changes in direction, an experience aided by body roll well within "sporty" limits. A notable aspect of the drive was that the sheer size and width of the body gave an impression of driving a relatively heavy car, and at around 3500lbs my impressions are somewhat justifiable. It remains to be one of the heaviest cars I've driven to this day. Says a lot about my driving history, then!
The Power:
305 horsepower. 280 pounds feet of torque. Floor it, and BOY do you feel everything it has to give. The traction control didn't shoot on in first gear like it did in the Genesis Coupe 3.8 and the Nismo 370Z, but it does shift a few organs. Second gear had much of the same affects on my central nervous system as first, sparking me to get nervous, and slow it down. And it doesn't sound bad either, with a loud and raunchy engine note. It still sounds like most V6's, but it's distinctive.
So, there's nothing but praise for it, then. It checks all the right boxes when it comes to your run of the mill "bang for the buck" sports car. The automotive press doesn't hate it either, especially hailing Ford at the fact that America FINALLY has a V6 engine comparable to its Japanese and German competitors. But despite facts about its power, its cost, the fuel economy, the looks, and every other avenue in which car excels (nay), FLIES, I want to dislike it. And I've been mulling over how to hate it now for over 8 hours, but the simple fact is that I just can't. Despite the interior still suffering from the feel and finish of older Fords, despite the heavy flywheel, despite the fact that the Mustang V6 has a psychological "second best" aspect, it is still an amazing car. Ford has taken the old sluggish Mustang, and made it into a force to be reckoned with. It's not just good for a Ford, it's good period. Mustang's Chief Nameplate Engineer, David Pericak, said,
"...It’s really going to get a lot of new sports coupe fans excited about Mustang, some for the first time ever.”
Mr Periack, the Mustang V6 has a self-proclaimed JDM/DTM/bi-polar fanboy's vote.