Intro: In 2005 Ford went retro with its 2-door 4-passenger Mustang sports car. The 2011 Mustang is a further evolution of the retro theme, carried over from a 2010 redesign. The front fascia gets a powerdome hood and aggressive headlights and grille. Out back, taillights get the sequential turn signal function- a popular feature dating back to Thunderbirds of the mid-1960's.
Performance: While the exterior was updated in 2010, the 2011 Mustang gets new powerplants all around. The base Mustang gets a 3.7-liter V6 putting out 305 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque, making it the first passenger car to ever boast over 300 horsepower and over 30 miles per gallon, highway!
The GT receives a 5.0-liter V8 with 412 horsepower and 390 pound feet of torque. Power from both engines is sent to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy: Here are the highest and lowest EPA estimates for fuel economy:
Features: The interior of the Mustang continues the exterior's retro theme. The gauges evoke classic Mustang styling, as do the chrome instrument panel accents.
Opting for the Premium model gets you leather, heated seats, a Shaker premium audio system, the popular SYNC voice-activated communication and entertainment system, as well as the personal touch of 7 swappable color schemes, which appear in the gauge cluster, door sill, cup holders, and back seat LEDs.
Safety: Standard safety equipment includes 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, a full array of front and side impact airbags, and the SOS post crash alert system, which activates the horn and hazard lights upon airbag deployment.
Pricing/Warranty: Base MSRP for the 2011 Ford Mustang is $21,145. A GT Convertible models starts at $34,645. The Mustang is backed by a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Summary: Competitors may be throwing their hats back into the muscle car ring, but this Pony Car has been here all along. With classic styling and improved performance, the 2011 Ford Mustang is set to meet its competition head-on.