sid_melo blogreen: 2015 Ford Mustang GT

terça-feira, 30 de setembro de 2014

2015 Ford Mustang GT

Sporting 435 horsepower and plenty of creature comforts, the redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang is an improved pony, inside and out. Combine that with miles of open road along the California coast and you’ve got what I call one heck of an afternoon. $36,100 base, $42,790 as tested, EPA fuel economy 15 MPG city, 25 MPG highway.

Behind the Wheel: New Technology and Plenty of Creature Comforts

Recently the good folks at Ford Motor Company invited me down to Malibu, Calif. to test out the new 2015 Ford Mustang. The drive, which featured the new and improved GT Mustang, took me along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway up to Topanga Canyon, eventually leading us through winding two-lane roads deep in the Santa Monica Mountains.

First things first. The new GT Mustang is an improved machine, inside and out. My Competition Orange GT (see other colors) was loaded with goodies including 19-inch premium painted aluminum wheels, a Shaker Pro Audio System with 12 speakers (including two mounted on the car’s A-Pillars), and a memory driver seat which would recall your seat’s position every time you got in and out of the car. What really left an impression, though, were all the standard features including those sharp looking air extractor hood vents, a rear view camera system, two smart charging USB ports, push-button start, and a Blind Spot Information system which alerted me of cars to my left or right while in traffic.

My test GT, a premium coupe model, featured premier trim and leather seats. After easing myself behind the wheel I immediately noticed the “Mustang Since 1964” dash plate affixed prominently above the newly designed illuminated locking glove box. Talk about a nice touch. Ford, you had me at “since 1964.”

In all, the interior of the new Mustang was comfortable and welcoming, providing adequate leg room for the driver and passenger. A major interior update is the addition of four toggle switches near the bottom of the center console. These switches gave me the option of selecting from various driving modes (Normal, Sport, Track, Snow-Wet) as well as different steering options, all while on the go. There was also a switch designed to enable or disable traction control, as well as a switch to activate the car’s hazard lights.

As for the backseat, it’s still pretty tight back there unless you’re somewhat vertically challenged. That said, the rear seats feel wider and more comfortable than in the past; a definite plus for longer trips.

On the Road: A Ride Quality that’s Right For You

The new GT Mustang features an upgraded 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine beneath its hood. The improvements, over the outgoing model, result in 435 horsepower and 400 lb.–ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. This was most noticeable while out on the open road.

I began my journey traveling along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The first thing I noticed, as I pulled out of the parking lot into traffic, was the Mustang’s upgraded clutch play. When compared to my 2008 Bullitt Mustang, the 2015 GT’s clutch is much more forgiving and manageable. Bottom line, you’re leg doesn't feel like it gets as much of a work out on the new Mustang; definitely a good thing for those commuting days when you’re stuck in traffic.

As I pulled out onto the highway I immediately felt those 435 horses kicking in. No doubt the car attracted much attention with people taking photos and such at almost every stop light along the way. I felt like I had just pulled the Batmobile out of the Batcave.

While the exhaust note was noticeable, it wasn't overwhelming. This is likely due to Ford’s implementation of active noise cancellation within the cabin. That said, I’m happy to report all those rattles of yesteryear seem to have been left behind as well. No doubt, the 2015 Ford Mustang is much quieter inside than any Mustang I've ever driven.

Another thing that caught my attention was just how stable the new Mustang GT felt. The car really feels solid out there on the road. No doubt, the implementation of a fully independent front and rear suspension makes a noticeable difference. In addition, the different driving modes help to achieve a ride quality that can be customized to your existing driving conditions, all on the fly. For instance, after turning onto Topanga Canyon, I used the toggle switches to activate Sport Mode. The car really seemed to hunker down, its steering response noticeably tightening as I entered my first turn on the two-land road. Braking was also noticeably better in the 2015 Mustang (when compared to the outgoing model), likely due to the car’s upgraded large brake rotors with 4-piston calipers.

Journey’s End: Job Well Done

In all, I spent the entire afternoon behind the wheel of Ford’s newest Mustang. In the end, I walked away impressed. While the car’s upgraded V8 engine is nice, what really won me over was the upgraded technology and ride quality of the newest generation pony car. The car holds to the road better than ever, cabin noise has been significantly reduced, and it has enough gadgetry to keep even the most dedicated tech guru busy for some time to come. In fact, the new 2015 Ford Mustang has more standard features than ever before. Best of all, the car looks sharp out on the open road. Numerous people stopped me along the way to say how nice the car looks.

As far as first drive goes, “Great job Ford!” I’m looking forward to spending more time in the 2015 Mustang in the coming months.

What I Liked About the 2015 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe

The car is loaded with standard features that were once optional
The ride quality is solid and much improved
The cabin is quiet and comfortable
The car features a wide variety of technical gadgetry designed to personalize the driving experience

What I didn’t like:

At $42,790, my test car seemed a bit pricey
Rear seat space is still minimal, although the seats themselves feel more comfortable than in the past

Who should buy the 2015 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe:

Buyers seeking an American muscle car with the latest technology
Buyers looking for a performance car with great looks to match

Who should not buy the 2015 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe:

Buyers requiring plenty of space for passengers
Buyers on a tight budget (Might be better off purchasing a 2015 V6 model ($24,600), the new EcoBoost Mustang ($25,170), or a used Mustang)

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