Topic: Preview: 2013 Ford Mustang

[Autos_Editor]

The 2013 Shelby GT500, Boss 302, Mustang GT and V6 models will arrive in the Spring of 2012, reports Paul Williams.

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[CanuckG35]

That is some serious performance!  I'll take mine in Leguna Seca blue please!   

[JohnnyMac]

I'm sure the price of all the mustang's will go up but as long as it's modest I think people won't mind with the added features and styling.  One this is for sure, the 2013 Shelby will be a true super car in my books.  Just so everyone know's my definition of super car it's all performance based and it means the vehicle can go from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds and have a top speed of over 200 mph.  

It's my dream to own a super car at some point in my life and now that this new Shelby coming out I fully expect me to fulfill my dream.  The bonus is that my wifes dream car is a Mustang and we'll have one happy household.  I knew that Ford was going to upgrade their Shelby to compete with the top of the line Camero, but no one expected them to do this!  Early figures were that they were going to get the engine output up to around an even 600 hp and what they did is buried not only the Camero but also all the Corvettes (other than the top of the line model).  

Now I wonder if this will affect upcoming Viper and Corvette models.  That's how good this upcoming Shelby will probably be.  

Oh and I should comment on the new styling.  I think what they did was very smart and upgrading a current design rather than change the exterior completely.  Wait till the next big remodel to change the exterior dramatically, which I think is rumored to happen in 2015 or 2016 and have a fully independent rear suspension and base model mustang with a 4 cylinder.  

[airbalancer]

base model mustang with a 4 cylinder.  

will that be a another Mustang II    

[Winterpeg]

That is some serious performance!  I'll take mine in Leguna Seca blue please!   

I like a more "mild" than "wild" approach to performance.
That said, if only they bring back the Bullitt for this model then make mine Highland Green and start looking into your rearview.   

[nlm]

Are the heat extractors new for the Boss? I've read about them before. The extra cooling vents where the foglights normally go are neat too!

[avro206]

base model mustang with a 4 cylinder.  

will that be a another Mustang II    

Far from it. It would be the 2.0 Eco-boost (turbo)

I would have liked to see direct-injection across the line up. A few more HP and better fuel economy are possible. Ford seems intent on continually tweaking the Mustang but when it's been around since 2005 I guess they have to.

[richink]

I'm still disaffected towards Mustangs.

The two rental sleds I had this year proved what I've always thought about them yet again. Marginal quality, terrible fit and finish and the same old brick hammer jittery handling they always had. I won't take away the slightest from that powertrain. The noise and thrust from those V8 motors is something to behold, but I'll trade that overblown horsepower number for the overall refinement and finesse of an M3 or an S5 any day of the week.

[Weexy]

Ooooohh.  OMFG I love this car.  I love you Mustang GT.  Why are you all looking at me weird??   

With the limited restraint I have with my right foot, i'd get myself into trouble with the regular GT's 420Hp, let alone the GT500's 650. 
But, even knowing that much power on the street is borderline insane (if not full-on insane), I want it.

And, "A pony projection light casts an image of the Mustang pony emblem on the ground when the door unlock button is activated"... Cool.

[Jaeger]

My crystal ball says much butt will be kicked by this car.

Jaeger

[Mike]

My crystal ball says much butt will be kicked by this car.

Jaeger

Trade in the Fit.....it's a reasonable replacement! 

[Jaeger]

My crystal ball says much butt will be kicked by this car.

Jaeger

Trade in the Fit.....it's a reasonable replacement! 

Sure - YOU make that pitch to my wife.  I'll stand well downrange. 

I once tried to convince her that the RX-8 would make a perfectly reasonable family car because it had 4 doors.  You'll notice, there's no RX-8 on our driveway.   

Jaeger

[Mike]

My crystal ball says much butt will be kicked by this car.

Jaeger

Trade in the Fit.....it's a reasonable replacement! 

Sure - YOU make that pitch to my wife.  I'll stand well downrange. 

I once tried to convince her that the RX-8 would make a perfectly reasonable family car because it had 4 doors.  You'll notice, there's no RX-8 on our driveway.   

Jaeger

CTS-V makes a great family car....and it comes in automatic 

[SaskSpecV]

CTS-V makes a great family car....and it comes in automatic 

Sacrilage, of the highest order!  If you want a family azz-hauler, CTS-V WAGON with M/T please...  Probably no money to take the family out for supper though, after filling the tank!

I never considered myself a pony-car guy, and didn't really see the appeal of them.  I still don't like the Camaro or Challenger - way too huge.  But I have to give Ford credit, their continued improvement of the Mustang year-over-year makes me want to try one out.  And the lower-end models seem like a great value, with a well-equipped Mustang V6 for around 30K.  As a Nissan guy I'd still prefer a 370z, but the fact that it's 10K more, far less practical, rides far worse - and with only minimal improvement in performance - I'd check out the Mustang.

[AP]

I'm still disaffected towards Mustangs.

The two rental sleds I had this year proved what I've always thought about them yet again. Marginal quality, terrible fit and finish and the same old brick hammer jittery handling they always had. I won't take away the slightest from that powertrain. The noise and thrust from those V8 motors is something to behold, but I'll trade that overblown horsepower number for the overall refinement and finesse of an M3 or an S5 any day of the week.

The finesse of the M3 to which you refer does not result in it being a Mustang slayer.  M3 may be your personal preference (no problem with that) but objective metrics don't support your argument.

[aaronk]

Ford must be readying its Ponycar for some stiff competition in the new year. Certainly there is a lot on the table (and more coming) for those in the market for a sport 2-seater, and in the Mustang you can take that all the way to Supercar territory. Although I don't think a Mustang will ever have the presence, feel or finesse of say a Ferrari or a Lambo, it certainly has the power now.

[Spec5]

From what I recall most serious track guys prefer the 302 as its a much better handler. While the big Shelby will be undoubtely quicker in a straight line I suspect all that weight in the front end might not make it much of a track specialist.

Current era Mustangs are by far my favorite though - and I HATE Mustangs!

[nsmyhte]

The GT500's engine in actually 5.8L, not 5.6L.

[dirtyjeffer]

while that GT500 is insane, if i were buying a new Mustang, it would be that beautiful Yellow Boss 302...i really want my next car to have an automatic, but for that car, i'd make the exception.

[articsteve]

The Boss is sweet, but the article needs more specifics.  "Race inspired clutch" ... details please    Does the Boss have the Tremec 6060 or the Chinese Getrag?