Regular isn’t regular. When the Mustang GT’s exhaust system is in Regular mode, it sounds each superb and barely worrying. Making an early-morning getaway isn’t executed quietly. Who doesn’t love the roar of a naturally aspirated V8? However an hour earlier than dawn?
Mild on the throttle, ready for the suitable time and place, the Mustang GT is civilized however all the time feels able to burst into motion. A turbocharged V6 is usually the trendy alternative for a V8, however I’m grateful that Ford has retained it for this latest technology of Mustang. One icon deserves one other, proper? It develops 480 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque from a 5.0-liter displacement. At a drag strip, the Mustang GT might run from standstill to 60 mph in a fleeting 4.5 seconds. In real-life driving, there’s loads of additional thrust to faucet into simply by flexing the suitable foot.
Actual-Life Driving
Really, this explicit Mustang GT Fastback has the GT Efficiency package deal, which incorporates an Energetic Valve Twin Exhaust system, elevating horsepower to 486 and torque to 418 — when utilizing 93 octane gasoline. I stuffed the tank with 91 octane as a result of that was the best out there and the automobile nonetheless feels quick. I attain a piece of freeway with a steep incline, the sort the place 18-wheelers persist with the within lane and maintain their hazard lights flashing. The Mustang GT works slightly tougher than regular, but it surely’s like once you or I exert a bit extra power to open a recalcitrant jar. As soon as it kicks down a gear or two (a 6-speed handbook transmission is customary, one other nod to old-school enjoyable; this automobile has the 10-speed computerized with paddle shifters), the slope appears immaterial and each different car recedes into the space. All of the whereas, there’s that stunning bark of the V8 shaking the air.
There’s fairly a little bit of street noise created by the broad Pirelli P Zero tires, however I’ll take it if it means this a lot precision, this a lot grip, this a lot enjoyable.
An upgraded suspension can also be a part of the GT Efficiency package deal. This contains heavier-duty entrance springs and a stouter rear anti-roll bar. But the journey high quality isn’t too agency. Managed sure; uncomfortable no. Issue within the Torsen limited-slip differential as properly, and I can truthfully say that that is the best-handling Mustang I’ve ever pushed. There’s fairly a little bit of street noise created by the broad Pirelli P Zero tires, however I’ll take it if it means this a lot precision, this a lot grip, this a lot enjoyable.
Up to now, I’ve preferred the turbocharged 4-cylinder Mustang with the Excessive Efficiency package deal, as a result of there’s much less weight within the nostril than a V8. However like I mentioned, I’m impressed by the GT. I additionally just like the steering really feel and the way responsive it’s, the entrance wheels circulate into corners simply, in order that additional weight is a non-issue. And the Brembo brakes (additionally a part of the GT Efficiency package deal) are supremely assured.
Inside affairs
Preserving their occupants in place whereas the automobile blasts by turns are (elective) sport entrance seats made by Recaro. These are well-shaped and supportive. I might simply think about nonetheless being comfy and never particularly drained after many hours of driving. I’d additionally suggest sitting within the driver’s seat for an excellent 10 minutes earlier than heading off, as a result of it’s going to take a minimum of that lengthy to change into acquainted with the less-than-user-friendly infotainment system and digital controls for the heating/air-con.
Like most fashionable vehicles, the Mustang GT has a single unit housing a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen. Apparently, the system additionally responds to voice instructions, however I by no means had a lot luck with that in my time with it. Nor was my seek for a cabin air recycle perform profitable, and I needed to spend a number of minutes coughing whereas caught behind a truck that was burning oil. Whereas delving by the menus, although, I did handle to come back throughout a Quiet mode for the exhaust system. Small mercies.
The screens look dramatic at evening. I’d have most popular an illuminated PRND part by the shift lever, although. I do know there’s a show within the instrument cluster, but when Toyota can do it for its humblest vehicles, then certainly Ford can for one among its halo fashions. And for my subsequent gripe, I’m going again to the driving expertise. Scrolling by the drive modes is finished with a button on the steering wheel. That’s effective.
What isn’t effective is the order of these modes. In most situations, drivers can be clicking between Regular and Sport modes, sure? However the Mustang GT makes you click on by a number of others earlier than reaching Sport — like Drag, Slippery and Observe. Sorry, however that’s ridiculous. The Mustang GT additionally has a handbrake-like Line Lock that holds the entrance wheels whereas the motive force revs the engine to spin the rears. I by no means used it as soon as. I actually preferred these Pirelli tires and I wasn’t going to mess them up. With the exhaust system lastly in Quiet mode, I did respect the wonderful 12-speaker B&O audio system much more.
As examined, this 2024 Mustang GT Fastback Premium prices $55,505. For a muscle automobile with a fantastic chassis and loads of gear, I don’t suppose that’s unreasonable.
Test this week’s Kelley Blue E book Honest Buy Value or see Mustang fashions on the market close to you.