Automotive Trends

Every auto enthusiast is keenly aware of the legendary car-chase featured in Steve McQueen’s “Bullitt.” Ford has chosen once again to capitalize on the 1968 Mustang’s role in that now 50-year-old chase scene. The Bullitt edition was last seen in 2008 and 2009 and was available in Dark Highland Green or Black paint and featured a pony-less grille. The 2019 Mustang Bullitt repeats those distinctions but now features more power and equipment. Ford projects that the 5.0L V8 will have at least 475 hp and top 163 mph. The Bullitt comes standard with the GT Premium Content and adds the 12-inch digital instrument cluster and active valve performance exhaust with black NitroPlate finish. Expect the Bullitt to hit the streets in summer 2018. And in case you are wondering, yes, there is a manual transmission with a classic white cue-ball styled shift-knob.

Not content to have the Chevrolet Camaro nipping at its heals with such headline models as the ZL1 and Z/28, Ford has added a track package to the Mustang portfolio dubbed the Shelby GT350R. Ford claims the GT350R is the most track-capable production Mustang ever and yet is fully road-legal. Some of the enhancements above and beyond the standard Shelby GT350 include the industry’s first ever carbon fiber wheels, Ford’s first production V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, and a specially tuned suspension. The deck-lid features a wild rear wing constructed of carbon fiber as well as a revised front splitter to maximize down force. The GT350R manages to be the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine in history with more than 500 fire breathing horses and north of 400 lb-ft of twist. If this combination of power, performance and style isn’t enough for you, just wait. Ford Performance is promising at least 11 more tantalizing vehicles by 2020.

The Ford Mustang is an icon like no other so when a new one debuts the world pays attention. We were able to lay eyes on the new ponys at the NAIAS and came away pleased with the significant update that arrives just in time for the model’s 50th Anniversary. Gone is the solid rear axle so we expect a new level of handling finesse without the side skip you used to get on broken pavement. We’re also fans of the revised profile and sportier greenhouse with cleaner lines and a dramatically sloped rear fastback shape. Up front the wide grille remains tough looking and instantly recognizable. The rear end is visually reduced from the last generation and sportier looking as a result. The 5.0 V8 remains the top engine and the 3.7-liter V6 serves as the base motor but a new 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder will slot in the middle as an efficient option with more than 300 horsepower. The interior remains mostly retro inspired but with improved materials and easier to use controls to access the latest connectivity and infotainment options. Of course the usual bevy of special editions will start debuting before long but for now we’re happy to report the world can breathe easy because the Mustang GT lives up to its iconic status.

      Ford sets the stage for what would become the next great phase of the pony car and horsepower war with the introduction of a retro Mustang concept at the 2003 NAIAS.

      Well its offical. You can have your cake and eat it too. The 2011 Mustang GT equipped with the 412-horsepower 5.0L V8 will return (when driven sans lead foot) 26 mpg. The announcement came this morning, the EPA rating for the 2011 Mustang coupes are as follows: Read more…

A 2005 Ford Mustang GT gallops off the line!

Making It Even Easier To Hear That Sound

    When we reviewed the Mustang coupe this past summer, we told you one of its best features was “that sound”. More specifically, the unabashed noise that pours from the stainless steel dual exhaust every time you step on it, and makes you question aloud how this thing could not be breaking every noise law in the book. It’s the sound of power. And now that we have driven the drop-top ‘Stang, we can report one thing with utter certainty: power has never sounded better. It’s true, our convertible tester’s voice was slightly less brazen than our pre-production coupe’s, but its V8 answered plenty loud and you can be assured that when cruising town on a perfect summer night there’ll be a lot of eyes on you. And it’s in that same scenario that you’ll notice something else too; the new Mustang convertible is pretty good. Read more…

My Screaming Yellow Stallion

     Call it retro, call it heritage, call it old style; whatever you call it, it looks good. Ford hit their mark with this one. The 2005 Mustang looks fresh and timeless, new and old blended together in one hot product. Looking at this Screaming Yellow Pony car brings back mental images of the 60’s and early 70’s Mustangs. That’s no bad thing. Read more…

Year Of The Car Indeed    

     Ford is calling 2004 the year of the car and by the look of things on opening day in Detroit, that slogan applies to the entire industry. Ford used its press conference to roll out several significant production products including the Ford Five Hundred sedan, Freestyle crossover and Mustang coupe. A tidy but rugged off-road concept showed up wearing the Bronco nameplate and the King Ranch edition of the F-150 also made its public debut. Read more…