2011 Mustang GT Review and First Drive

On paper the 2011 Ford Mustang GT certainly impresses with it's all-new all-aluminum 412 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine but can it live up to the hype that has been building.  This past week the professional media got their hands on the new 2011 Mustang GT at a Ford press event out in California.  Several members of the print and online media were on hand to test drive the cars to give their opinions of what they found along with our very own Bengt Halvorson at TheCarConnection.com who got the opportunity to drive the new Mustang GT.

Bengt's first drive review starts off by saying the 2011 Mustang GT "is about as badass as you can get in a normal production car."  This is what we all wanted to hear and it's pretty much the consensus from what I have been reading of other reviews across the net.  During startup Bengt says the engine starts with a low rumble of an old big-block muscle car but quickly settles into a smooth purr that's completely different than previous Mustangs.  Bengt goes on to say when you floor the new V-8 it develops a deep authoritative bellow that turns heads and sounds way better--especially from the outside.  He also says it has the capability to pin you back in your seat with almost supercar type thrust, no matter what gear you are in.

Comparing this 412 horsepower V-8 power to the 2003-04 SVT Cobra's 390 horsepower Bengt says the new Mustang GT's power slams the old Cobra model.  He even goes on to say the level of thrust is awfully close to what you would get from a GT500.  If the level of thrust and pull through the gears is more than the 2003-04 Cobra Ford has one scarry Mustang on their hands.

Talking about the torque Bengt says there is so much on command, even just above idle and you most certainly have to roll into the throttle carefully out of tight turns.  This has been true for the Shelby GT500 and older Cobra models but now drivers will have to be a little more aware of their surroundings with the type of power under the hood.  Drivers not use to the power might be in for a surprise and even some might not be able to handle it.

Overall Bengt says enthusiasts will opt for the Coupe as he noticed a decrease in stiffness for the convertible.  His favorite 2011 Mustang GT to drive was a coupe with the glass roof option which lets a large amount of light in like convertibles but maintains the coupes stiffness.  He says the only way to go is the six-speed manual as the automatic offers no real gain.

To read his complete first drive review head on over to TheCarConnection.com.