A hand waves, a V sign is formed and delivered, a driver in an oncoming vehicle honks a horn.
These are responses on the road.
In parking lots, a man, usually someone who looks younger than 40, walks up and wants to touch the hot metal. Other nearby admirers stare and smile.
This is how people reacted to the
2015 Ford Mustang GT coupe that was steered around the countryside and parked at shopping mall parking lots during a recent week of test driving.
The current Mustang has the mojo first delivered with the inaugural pony coupe of 1965. With a big redesign this year, the rear-wheel-drive fastback looks like the high-performance muscle car originally intended by Ford.
First impression of the six-generation Mustang fastback and convertible evokes key characteristics of the brand, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck. Yet, the latest Mustang has a lower, wider stance with a reduction in roof height and wider rear fenders and track. Around back, the tri-bar taillamps are three-dimensional with sequential turn signals.
With the redesign, front shoulders are wide and defined, wheel wells are big to match the tires and aluminum alloy wheels (machined and painted), rear haunches are sinuous and muscular. Adding to the sleek appearance of power, a ridged hood sports two honeycombed air vents. Prominently embedded in the honeycomb grille is the galloping mustang. On the tested Mustang, the silver pony was highlighted against a black background.
The tested GT is one of eight Mustang models from which to choose. There are 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6s, 310-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinders and the GTs which have the 5.7-liter, 435-horsepower V8 engines that can race from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds. Engines are mated to a six-speed manual or optional automatic transmission. The manual in the test GT was a short shifter although it took a bit of practice to locate the gates at appropriate speeds. This transmission will have no issues for the accomplished sports car driver.
Taking inspiration from a fighter cockpit, the '15 Mustang dash includes a balance between analog dials and digital feedback. The shifter is optimally placed, and the steering wheel will feel just right in your hands, for a dynamic driving experience.
Drive mode settings are for normal, sport, track and snow-wet. A panel at the head of the center console has the silver control to press down to change the driving mode. Information as to which mode is chosen is reflected on a window on the dash behind the leather-clad steering wheel.
Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems, and the GT model includes standard launch control that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent off the line performance every time. At the front, a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the structure while reducing mass, providing more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride.
Drivers will appreciate smoother shifts from the updated manual gearbox, while a reworked automatic transmission features new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. Braking from 60 to 0 mph can be done in a media tested 107 feet with Brembo brakes. This is better than average in the compact sports coupe market. These brakes are in a $2,490 performance option package that also has a Torsen limited-slip differential in it. Otherwise, GT asking prices range from $32,300 for a Fastback to $42,800 for a Premium GT convertible. In between those was the tested Premium model of the GT at $36,100. The performance package takes it up to $38,590. Ford has a national rebate of $500 on the Mustang. Local and regional rebates also could lower the asking price.
Taking inspiration from a fighter cockpit, the '15 Mustang dash includes a balance between analog dials and digital feedback. The shifter is optimally placed, and the steering wheel will feel just right in your hands, for a dynamic driving experience.
Interior comforts must live up to exterior decor and under-the-hood power, and they did. Leather trim adorns the two Recaro (German company noted for quality) bucket seats in front and the two in the rear. Metal joins leather for interior trim. Power includes windows (express in front), exterior mirrors (heated), front seats (heated and cooled), and door locks. Remote entry and pushbutton start are standard as are the basics such as cruise control, air conditioning and a premium sound system that is relatively easy to operate by pushbuttons. There are tuning and volume control knobs. With innovative technologies available that include Track Apps, MyColor gauges and new Shaker Pro audio system, drivers will be able to customize their time behind the wheel.
Besides leather seats, the Premium model of the GT included a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind spot monitoring and rear cross trafic alert, high definition radio, a 12-speaker Shaker sound system and driver memory settings.
The ride was firm during the test week. The GT rode over road imperfections nicely. It also cornered well with no swing or sway. In fact, at high but legal speeds the GT did right-angle and left-angle turns without any imbalance for driver or passengers. The suspension system relies on struts in front, links in the rear, coil springs, hydraulic gas pressurized outboard-mounted shock absorbers and stabilizer bars.
With a throaty sound from the exhaust, it was a joy to shoot past slower traffic on major highways and interstate systems.
For a coupe, the trunk is sizeable at 13.5 cubic feet.
Safety features include not only airbags on sides, in front and overhead but also one for the driver's knee. The antilock braking system covers the four wheels.
Warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles, five years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain and roadside assistance.
The 2016 Mustang differs little from the 2015 model with adjustments to the sound system, an optional black painted roof offered on GT and turbocharged (called EcoBoost by Ford) models. Also, the performance package will be offered on the GT convertible as well as the GT coupes.
The Mustang lost design luster from 1979 through 2004 as it began to resemble other passenger cars produced by Ford. With the 2005 model, design returned to the fastback look of the 1960s. The 2015 redesign emphasized the classic muscle look of the original Mustang with large wheel arches, notable body creases and a prominent hood and grille.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: premium model of 2015 Ford Mustang GT
Type: rear-wheel-drive, two-door, four-seat compact coupe
Price: $36,100
Engine: 5-liter, 435-horsepower V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Fuel: premium
Fuel tank: 16 gallons
Weight: 3,705 pounds
Leg room: 44.5 inches front, 30.6 inches rear
Trunk: 13.5 cubic feet
Wheelbase: 107.1 inches
Length: 188.3 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 54.4 inches
Tires, alloy wheels: 18-inch
Suspension: struts front, links rear, outboard shock absorbers, coil springs, stabilizer bars
Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles, five years or 60,000 miles powertrain and roadside assistance
Assembly: Flat Rock, MI
Information: www.Ford.com