2013 Ford Mustang gallops up to 200 mph (650hp)

Yahoo News ^ | 11/15/2011

[Scythian]

Yet another argument for the contention that we’re living in a golden era for American muscle cars arrives with the 2013 Ford Mustang, which will sport a brace of tech and styling updates across its line — including the most powerful V8 engine sold by any automaker in the world. How much trouble could you get in with a 200-mph ‘Stang?

The original pony car has survived 46 years only through annual tweaking between major redesigns, and offering a broad enough model range to lure in everyone from high-schoolers to professional drag racers. Thanks to the competition with the revived Chevrolet Camaro, there’s more muscle in muscle cars than ever before; today’s base V6 Mustang has more grunt than the V8 flashed seven years ago.

[freekitty]

The GTO was a fantastic car.

[brownsfan]

“The GTO was a fantastic car.”

You mean the rebadged Holden? Yep, it was a capable car.

If you mean the first GTO... a classic. A friend had a 67 GTO, amazing, beautiful car.

[Nat Turner]

Me too, this car would come in handy once the 2012 elections go “Max Max Beyond Thunderdome” ...

Come to think of it...if you paint it all in flat black it does remind one of the infamous V-8 Interceptor....

[Joe 6-pack]

"The Mazda Miata was, in my opinion, one of the most well-timed automobile releases in the history of the industry."

I agree with you... In early '95, I picked up a mint repossessed '93 with just over 20K on it...buckskin leather interior, tan roof convertible roof and the detachable hardtop, top of the line pioneer stereo. I loved that little car :-)

What do you think it was about the timing? It came out in '89, and in the wake of Reagan I think there were a lot of people with enough discretionary income for a "fun" car. It was certainly great value for the money, and I'm sure for some, there was an air of nostalgia for their Triumphs, MGs, etc. without all leaking oil and roofs...

[Nat Turner]

I forgot the graphic!

[WayneS]

I disagree.

Misty nostalgia aside, most American cars of the ‘50s, 60s and 70s (and by the way, in case you have forgotten from about ‘72 on almost all of them SUCKED) required complete engine overhauls every +/-100,000 miles. They had bad brakes, handled poorly, had inferior electrical systems and, despite being excessively heavy, were not particularly safe in the event of a crash.

The car which was the subject of the above article, despite its phenomenally high performance, will most likely not require any major engine work for at least 300,000 miles. Its stopping distance from any given speed is a little more than half that of a ‘65 Mustang, it has on-board electronic capabilities that surpass that of the first space shuttle, and it will probably protect you quite well in most crashes up to ‘ludicrous speed’.

I'm sorry, but the ‘good old days’ were no where near as good as today where auto technology and automobiles are concerned.

[Osage Orange]

http://www.wimp.com/dragrace

Very interesting outcome here...........

[WayneS]

What do you think it was about the timing?

I think you summed it up pretty nicely.

[AAABEST]

I had a '95 Miata. That thing was ALL engine, with an IRS to boot.

Loved that car. So did the chick I met on South Beach - who is now my wife of nearly 16 years.

[cork]

I can hear the phone call now.
Foundry: Yea this is the foundry
Caller: Yea this is Dodge
Foundry: What you want?
Caller: You guys still have the dies and molds for those old hemis we used to use?

[Betis70]

Uuuungh. I really don’t need any temptation come spring time. Damn, smoking the R8 on Laguna Seca, that is impressive.

Looking forward to seeing these bad boys running in Rolex Sports Car series and/or American Le Mans. I hope someone also takes it to the big daddy race at 24 hours of Le Mans. I’ve always rooted for the ‘Vettes in that race, despite being a Ford guy.

[al_c]

"The Mazda Miata was, in my opinion, one of the most well-timed automobile releases in the history of the industry."

I agree with you... In early '95, I picked up a mint repossessed '93 with just over 20K on it...buckskin leather interior, tan roof convertible roof and the detachable hardtop, top of the line pioneer stereo. I loved that little car :-)

My coworker is still driving around in her Miata that once belonged to Colleen Reed (Ken McDuff murder victim).

What do you think it was about the timing? It came out in '89, and in the wake of Reagan I think there were a lot of people with enough discretionary income for a "fun" car. It was certainly great value for the money, and I'm sure for some, there was an air of nostalgia for their Triumphs, MGs, etc. without all leaking oil and roofs...

Definitely had that nostalgia factor going for it. I had a 70 and a 72 Spitfire some years before the Miata hit the roads. I sure wanted one at the time but they quickly got branded as a "chic car." I think the newest model is far removed from that stigma.

[DarthVader]

This is Darth Vader’s new TIE fighter!

[muddler]

Just yesterday I noticed one of these setting in the median of a 4 lane highway, it was nice. Then I saw the Indiana state police emblem on the side. What a waste of tax payer dollars.

[Betis70]

I had a 92 Miata till I moved back from CA to someplace with a winter. It was a blast and had a bullet proof motor. Nothing fancy (it was a base model with roll-up windows even), but I could whip it around the twisty Bay Area roads in the hills with ease.

It certainly reminded me of my first car, a 69 Triumph TR6, except without the cowl shake, poor electronics, but also w/o any low-end grunt. That TR6 could pull stumps but ran out of breath pretty quickly. Sounded awesome though, which is something that first gen Miata didn’t have.

[Excellence]

Rear quarter panels remind me of the Dodge Charger. It’s a little too smooth, and barely looks like a Mustang.

[MachIV]

Make mine a ‘68 fastback with a 4speed toploader transmission and 428CJ big block. Hence my “name” here online :-)

[DonGrafico]

“I’m sorry, but the ‘good old days’ were no where near as good as today where auto technology and automobiles are concerned.”

True. But the older cars are much better looking. Compared to a classic mustang this latest iteration looks like it has rickets and an eating disorder. Still a fine looking car though, by today’s standards.

[Retired Greyhound]

You are correct. Today’s cars are MUCH better in terms of performance and quality than yesterday’s. Not even close.

But the original muscle cars are, in my opinion, so much cooler than those of today. The old Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros and GTOs had personality, looked great, sounded awesome, and were fun to own and work on.

But, yes, my 2011 Hyundai Sonata handles MUCH better than any car from that era, even the Corvette’s.

Still, there is something about the classic American steel that still turns my head to this day.

[ArrogantBustard]

Red.

Make mine bright, flaming candy-apple red.

That pale blue colour is appalling.