PLENTY OF GIDDYUP IN MUSTANG
GT soft top ponies up performance
didn’t think the local police would appreciate me using a stop light as a “Christmas tree,” so I didn’t get to check out the Track mode on the powerful 2018 Ford Mustang GT convertible.
Too bad.
Our fire-engine-red soft top’s 460-hp 5-liter V-8 roared to life and settled into an appreciable growl, even after I adjusted the exhaust note to Quiet mode. Although the neighbors didn’t complain, it was two days before we saw our cat again.
This classic Ford turned out to be a comfortable highway cruiser for two happily zipping along on a weekend getaway up the coast. Even on a soggy weekend, with the 19-inch low-profile sport tires, it was a solid, confident ride. The 10-speed automatic kept the revs down at speed yet did a good job managing gas consumption, scoring just a hair over 22 mpg in mixed driving. Excellent stopping power is from the oversized brake caliI pers that peek out from behind five-spoke aluminum alloys.
But when the opportunity presented, a quick stomp on the gas pushed me back into the beautiful red and black leather seats, an exhilarating feeling of raw power that some reports has the GT doing 0-60 in four seconds. I
settled on Sport Plus driving mode but you can configure your GT to several different combinations of drivetrains and exhaust notes to suit your performance desires.
A nicely appointed interior with some carbon fiber-styled trim pieces, soft touch surfaces, leather and chrome details on the shifter along with the traditional deep-dish steering wheel really set the sporty mode for the cabin.
I enjoyed the easy-to-use Ford Sync 3 infotainment center with excellent sound courtesy of the upgraded Shaker Pro Audio system. Cellphone interface was a snap and even with a convertible top offered a good talk experience.
I got a chuckle over having to drop the cloth top to get my golf clubs in the car but let’s face it, this pony is no pack horse. The roof folds into a space above the trunk that left a decent hold for our bags and photo gear.
Our $53,755 Premium Package GT had a full array of safety tech.
Simply adorned with dual hood scoops, the Mustang cuts a superb curb appeal with its revamped folds and creases along the hood, fenders and doors that salute original styling.
The blacked-out crosshatched grille with its familiar chrome pony medallion is shallower than most current cars, and I like that. The midcycle update scores more style points with the triple-paned LED taillights similar to late-’60s models.
All in all a super fun car to drive although maybe a bit over the top as a daily commuter, but why not?
It feels like the glory days of the muscle cars are truly back, so test the GT against the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.