First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT changes the game

2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

The reborn 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is the 2010 Ford Mustang GT's most obvious competitor (obviously). While the Camaro is certainly a head turner, it's just not that great of an all around performance car. However, despite the 2010 Mustang GT coming out on top in many comparisons against its crosstown rival, one fact is undeniable: When it comes to power, the Camaro SS kicked the Mustang GT's butt up and down the block. Across the drag strip, too. The 6.2-liter LS3-equipped SS (manual only, as automatic Camaros get the weaker L99 motor) produces a screaming 426 horsepower and 420 rumbling pound-feet of torque, enough mojo to embarrass the 2010 Mustang GT's relatively wimpy 4.6-liter V8 with its 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. True, the Mustang handled better, rode better, had a much better interior and cost less, but at the end of the day we're talking muscle cars. Gumption matters. Chevy was king. Ford had to act.

And act it did. Meet the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, or as everyone is already calling it, the 5.0. That's right, Ford is offering enthusiasts an honest to goodness 5.0-liter V8 (302 cubic inches, baby! Check out our Deep Dive for all the technical mumbo jumbo) in the 2011 Mustang GT. As we're sure you know by now, thanks to some fancy breathing, the all new small-block produces 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. That's less than the Camaro, sure, but remember that the Mustang is lighter than the Chevy by a good 300 pounds. Besides, it's looking like Ford has decided to underrate the 5.0's output by about 30 ponies for who knows what reason. Meaning that while Ford might be using invisible ink, the Mustang's got the Camaro beat on paper. But what about in the real world? Make the jump to find out.

While the new 2011 Ford Mustang V6 is a good car, the 5.0 is great. In a single model year, Ford has manged to address all of the 2010 Mustang GT's shortcomings. Besides the brand spanking new motor (which really is the big story), the Blue Oval boys made a number of other changes. It's going to take a well trained eye to spot any visual differences between the 2010 and 2011 models, but there are differences. First off, the aluminum pony in the grill has been lightened a shade. In addition, the front and rear fascias are slightly tweaked. There's a new lower spoiler and air dam up front and the rear wheels now have tire spats. All of the exterior changes plus an underbody aeroshield add up to a four-percent more aerodynamic car, and help this 412-hp brute achieve a very respectable 26 mpg on the highway. Also, let's not forget the big, shiny 5.0 badges. A1A Beach Front Avenue has been put on notice!







Changes you can't see include a whole host of NVH improvements, namely rear wheel liners, eight sound absorbers and hood liner insulation that all add up to a surprisingly quiet vehicle. Some might say too quiet as you can't hear the 5.0 burble, but we'll disagree. Overhead cam engines don't really burble the way cam-in-block mills do anyway. Put it this way, day-to-day livability has been greatly increased. Besides, once you open the V8's taps, the cabin is quickly filled with the sort of soundtrack that gearheads dream about. Ford has retained the 2010 Mustang GT's sound resonators, and the noise is even more blissful in 2011. In fact, above 3,500 rpm you're treated to a very finely balanced stereo mix of induction and exhaust noise. Trust us, you'll love it once you get on it.

Speaking of getting on it, the 7,000 rpm redline begs you to do just that. An all-new six-speed (finally!) manual further encourages you to bash the motor all you like. There's also a new six-speed automatic that's okay (though it does lack paddle shifters), but we spent exactly 17.5 seconds driving the auto version (that's two blasts down an eighth-mile drag strip), so you'll need to do your own research if you're not interested in rowing your own. If you are, the new six-speed manual is pretty good, though we'd prefer a short-throw kit. We also had occasional trouble coming down into second and/or fourth. We suspect this is mostly due to the shift lever's long throw, which again would be fixed by a short throw kit. That said, the new transmission doesn't seem to mind abuse.



The same can be said for the brakes. We drove both the stock brake GT and the Brembo-kitted version. As far as the regular brakes go, Ford saw fit to provide a bigger brake booster and for the first time in my car reviewing career, I have nothing negative whatsoever to say about Ford brakes. They're actually pretty good, and the Brembos are that much better. If you spend a lot of time hooning it up on windy canyon roads or at the track, go for the ain't-gonna-fade 14-inch Brembos. If you just like roasting fools at stop lights, the standard brakes are more than fine.

Time to put it all together. I found myself actually saying, "This engine's a pot of honey." Out loud, with another human being in the car. Why would anyone make such a ridiculous statement? Probably because the new motor really is a pot of honey, specifically when you're in fourth gear at 4,000 rpm and you bury the throttle. Turns out that 4,000 rpm is when peak torque (390 lb-ft) happens and the 5.0-liter V8pulls like a jet airliner. Outside of the GT500 or a very breathed-upon Roush/Saleen, we've never experienced this kind of at-speed acceleration in a Mustang. Very impressive, and more than just impressive, a bit intoxicating. From a standstill, the 5.0 is every bit as superb. We won't be surprised if and when the 2011 Mustang GT breaks into the high 12s running the quarter-mile with a trap in the 112-mph range. Ford went all "no comment" when asked about performance figures, but again we'll speculate that 0-60 mph is probably mid-4s, which is quick by any method of accounting.









Our one serious gripe with the new V6 Mustang was the floaty front end, especially at high speeds. No such gripe with the GT. Not only is the front of the V8 much stiffer than its smaller, lighter sibling, but the entire car has been hardened by 15 percent compared to the 2010 model. Not only does this help handling, but triple-digit stability is impressive, words we thought we'd never type about a run-of-the-mill Mustang GT. But here we are.

Also improved for 2011 is the GT's handling. 2010 was something of a breakout year for the Mustang, as Ford finally committed itself to building a Mustang that goes left and right as well as it goes straight. Not only is the 2011 Mustang GT happy to turn into a corner, once you're flirting around with the apex you won't find yourself making loads of corrections. Put another way, the suspension is able to handle whatever you throw at it, and the steering feel is good enough that you only have to measure and cut once. As far as the never ending live rear end vs. independent suspension argument goes, we're saying the following: The 2011 Ford Mustang GT sports the very best solid rear axle in the world. We'd rather have the best solid axle than a mediocre multi-point rear. Hint, hint, Chevy. 'Nuff said.





The bottom line is this: Ford is done messing around. With the release of the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 there are no more "Yeah, but..." reasons to buy any other pony car. Only serious Mopar-philes would choose the drastically more expensive and substantially worse Dodge Challenger SRT-8 over the Mustang GT. Aside from looks, we can't think of a single area where the similarly priced but slightly more expensive Chevy Camaro SS beats the Mustang. Speed, handling, soundtrack, brakes, interior (the GT is actually creeping into Audi levels of interior sophistication – look at those seats!), fit and finish – you name it, the Mustang's the superior sports car.

Speaking of Audi, the 5.0 makes the 354-hp S5 look like an overpriced slowpoke. We've driven both cars in anger and the 2011 Mustang GT is not only faster, but is actually rear-wheel drive, not a FWD platform fitted with Quattro all-wheel drive. Want us to go even further? We'd prefer the Mustang GT to a BMW 650i. Sure, the BMW has dash leather and... iDrive. But (again), the GT makes more power (the 650i manages 360 hp), handles better and is quieter unless you're really belting the throttle. Also, Sync's a whole lot better than iDrive, even the much improved new iDrive. Not only that, but the GT's new 5.0-liter V8 engine is in another league than (previous) competitors like the Nissan 370Z and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Getting the point? In 2011, the Mustang GT is the car to beat. Welcome back, 5.0.

Source: Autoblog

Inside Line runs the numbers on 2011 Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro V6 models

2011 Mustang V6

Before your palms get all sweaty, let's be clear – the boys and girls at Inside Line have put the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT and the base 2011 Ford Mustang toe-to-toe. This isn't the big bad SS vs GT throwdown the world has been clamoring for, but that's fine by us. Both models dish out over 300 horsepower, and when it comes right down to it, there will be more V6 engines battling it out in high school parking lots that V8s.

So how'd they do? The big-boned Camaro V6, complete with its 3,790-pound curb weight, managed to dish out a 6.1-second 0-60 mph run, a 14.3-second quarter-mile time and .86 g on the skidpad. Coming down from 60 mph, the Bowtie delivered a stopping distance of 111.78 feet. Those are all solid numbers, to be sure, but they don't quite stack up to what Ford brought to the table with its pony.

The Mustang is a considerably smaller car in nearly every way, and right off the bat, it has 282 fewer pounds to lug around. With a curb weight of 3,508 pounds, the Mustang clicked off a 5.6-second 0-60 mph sprint, a 13.9-second quarter-mile and .91 g on the skidpad. Can you say "smoked?" Throw in 60-0 mph in 103 feet, and it's clear Ford wanted to ensure that the 'Stang not only puts the hurt on its arch rival from General Motors, but it's also clear that the Blue Oval was seeking to build a solid all-around performer.

Before the Chevrolet faithful start clamoring about price, it should be noted that both cars fall within $1,000 of each other. The General clearly has a lot of work to do before the 2011 models roll out, but we have it on good authority that their engineers are hard at work. Fortunately for enthusiasts, this clearly isn't the end-all, be-all... it's just the latest volley.

Source: Autoblog

Inside Ford Engineering: Focus Shock Tuning in Spain

We’re in sun-kissed southern Spain just a stone’s throw away from the Mediterranean Sea. But this is no holiday. In a lock-up in the middle of a small industrial estate, a highly camouflaged next-generation Ford Focus prototype is having its shock absorbers adjusted for the sixth time that day. The new Focus has made its European and North American debut at the auto shows, and engineering teams are working to finalize all of the details and get it ready for market.

Minutes after this shock adjustment, the matte black machine pulls back onto the road and the driver sets off on a familiar 40km route. This particular stretch encompasses virtually every type of road surface. It’s a process that will be repeated every day for the next two weeks, or until the driver is satisfied that he’s achieved the optimum shock absorber set-up for the vehicle.

The man behind the wheel is Jürgen Pützschler, supervisor C-Car vehicle dynamics. Jurgen. His colleague on this trip is Stephan Anssems, new Focus vehicle dynamics team leader, and the two are part of an eight-person team tasked with raising the quality bar in terms of C-Car driving dynamics. Lommel proving ground in Belgium is where they’re often found, but as the Focus enters the final stages of its development, it’s vital to drive it on public roads too.

“We can test a lot at Lommel but the weather isn’t the best at this time of year,” says Pützschler. “We’ve come to Spain because we need warm, dry conditions for optimal testing. We’re focusing on shock absorber tuning at present and this location is perfect. There are smooth roads, very uncomfortable roads, twisty roads, highway. It’s also quiet with not too much traffic and there are no press with cameras here either. You don’t want too much attention driving prototypes.”

After each lap of the route, the wheels are removed, and Pützschler and Anssems give their feedback to the on-site shock absorber partner. The shock absorbers are then taken apart and rebuilt with an adjustment. The tiniest change to an internal component can have a huge impact on a vehicle’s driving dynamics.

“We only make one change at a time,” says Anssems. “It’s important that we always drive the same route at the same pace and with the same load and tire pressure. Fine-tuning shock absorbers isn’t an exact science. That’s why we have to test so rigorously.”

Both these men can really drive. The speed at which they cover the ground is impressive. Even with four on board, the new Focus feels agile and poised. Pützschler and Anssems aren’t happy though. They feel that there’s a small issue with how it reacts to dead-center steering inputs. More fine-tuning of the front shocks is required.

“Our job is not about driving like madmen and breaking rules,” adds Anssems. “Our goal is to develop a vehicle that is capable, precise and predictable, not only in everyday driving, but also in emergency situations. If a child runs in front of you and you have to steer around, what you really need is a predictable and stable car. We have to deliver just that.”

Test team facts:

Ford’s European C-Car vehicle dynamics team has just eight core personnel
Each year they rack up 50,000 test kilometers on public roads and proving grounds
Every driver works towards the same goal: a precise definition of driving quality
Team personnel can spend as much as five weeks at a time traveling to do testing
A test driver’s bottom is one of the most sensitive instruments for analyzing vehicle driving dynamics on the move
“Our customers will get a car that drives better, steers better, is more agile and is more comfortable than its predecessor,” predicts Pützschler. “We do have a lot to do still. We have to fine tune each and every derivative of this Focus, so that includes different engines, body styles and so on. It is a lot of pressure and we are a small team but we all love what we do and are very proud of the cars we develop. We’re perfectionists. We want our customers to enjoy the best possible quality drive!”

Source: Ford

Ford Enables Transit Connect Customers to Design Vinyl Graphics

Businesses typically like to advertise on their vehicles, and in order to make the process of buying vinyl graphics easier, Ford just introduced a new Web site that allows owners to design, price, and purchase vinyl wrap graphics for the new Transit Connect commercial van.



Ford, partnering with vinyl wrap company Original Wraps, allows customers to configure their Transit Connect graphics package online with a number of different options. Predesigned shapes and graphics allow owners to quickly configure a striking design, although users can upload their own material -- i.e. logos, graphics, etc. -- to incorporate into the design. Better yet the Web site gives a rough estimate of pricing -- simple graphics can start at $100, but intricate designs can run up to $3500 for a full-vehicle wrap.



Instead of merely designing the graphics package and then having the expensive graphics installed permanently on the side of the vehicle, the site gives owners a full preview of what the final product will look like on a Transit Connect. This is a huge advantage when deciding if a costly graphics package will give the impression the business owner or individual desires. Dealers say it is an advantage to them as well as it is another way to satisfy customers.



“Wrapping a Transit Connect is a great way to advertise and it is a one-time cost, but a lot of people don’t know where to get it done,” said Bob Maxey, owner of Bob Maxey Ford in Detroit. “Having a Ford website where people can design their own custom warp, and get it done right then and there is huge.”



All wraps will either be installed by a Ford dealership, or by a certified independent graphics company contracted by the dealer.



Source: Ford

First Look: 2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor

If anyone thought Ford was going to simply kill off its Crown Victoria and walk away from the position it has held for decades as the primary supplier of cop cars, you had better look in your rear view, because the 2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor is coming up fast.

Without a doubt, Ford's new Interceptor is a clean break from the decades-old body-on-frame, V-8-powered, rear-wheel-drive Crown Vic formula. Although Ford was once rumored to be modifying its rear-drive Australian Falcon platform for police use, Ford instead went to its American-built Taurus sedan for the new car.



As is the case with the consumer model, police departments will have their choice of two different powertrains in the Police Interceptor. The 265-horsepower, normally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 is standard, and sends its power to the front wheels only. Those looking for a veritable pursuit special will likely opt for the other driveline, which is ripped straight from the Taurus SHO. Ford's EcoBoost twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 provides "at least" 365 horsepower, which is channeled to all four wheels. While power looks to be on par with a standard Taurus, Ford engineers did upgrade the Police Interceptor's brakes -- something we'd love to see transition to the SHO.

Like the Crown Vic, the Taurus Police Interceptor has been designed to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing, and a heavy-duty alternator and an enlarged radiator have been added. In addition, the car has also undergone certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police and the L.A. County Sheriff's Departments to emulate the rigorous duty police officers will no doubt put the car through.

Most of the other changes made to ready the Taurus to protect and serve are relatively minor. A revised center console provides room for various aftermarket law enforcement devices and is nestled between bespoke cloth bucket seats, and a column shifter has been added to better access the gear. Along with an anti-stab plate installed in the backrest, the seats receive special bolsters designed to accommodate a standard police utility belt. Ford's SYNC system comes standard, and can be custom-mapped to accommodate the needs of law enforcement.

The rear seat area is naturally less hospitable, but still an improvement over the Crown Victoria's setup. The vinyl bench seat is sculpted for easier handling of detainees and is specially positioned to improve legroom. The revised rear door hinges feature an extra ten degrees of travel to further aid perpetrator loading and unloading.



Apart from the light and push bars, there are subtle ways to ID the Police Interceptor from a normal Taurus. The large, 18-inch steel wheels are an obvious giveaway, and the car also eschews the standard Taurus three-bar grille in favor of a black mesh insert. The car could look virtually stock if these were replaced with standard Taurus parts -- and we're sure officers desiring the ultimate stealth cruiser will do just that.

Ford says production of the Police Interceptor will occur alongside the Taurus at its plant in Chicago, Illinois, and will start as soon as Crown Victoria production ends. Look for it to appear on city streets (or, God forbid, your rearview mirror) next fall.

Source: Motortrend

First Test: 2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium

Five-Point-Oh, Boy: Finally Legit, the 5.0 is Back -- and Boy Does it Pack a Punch

Since its debut in 1968, Ford's 302-cubic-inch V-8 has always displaced 4942 cubic centimeters. Or, as any engineer, mathematician, or quick-witted second-grader would tell you, 4.9 liters. Despite this fact, back in 1975 Ford began calling its 4.9-liter, 302cc V-8 a "5.0 L." Why? Well, when it comes to V-8s, bigger is better, even if it's just for perception. And, let's face it: uttering "five-point-oh" with some attitude sounds a helluva lot more imposing than saying "four-point-nine" under your breath.


Mustang GT 5.0 Engine

Well, for all those "5.0" owners who over the last five decades have felt a little embarrassed or deceitful -- and by all means to those who don't even care and simply love their 302s -- it is time to rejoice. After a 16-year hiatus, the 5.0 has returned in the 2011 Mustang GT and, yes, at 4951cc, it now officially displaces five full liters. Better yet, thanks to all-aluminum construction, twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT), and a 6800-rpm redline, this don't-ever-call-me-a-4.9, 32-valve 5.0 liter cranks out 412 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 390 pound-feet of torque at 4250. (A run on the dyno at K&N Air Filters in Riverside, CA, suggests actual output to be around 435 horsepower and 404 pound-feet.)


Mustang GT Drivers View

Peruse the spec sheet of last year's GT, which came with a 4.6-liter 24-valve V-8, and the spikes are monumental -- 97 more horsepower and 65 additional pound-feet. Arguably as impressive are the bumps in fuel economy -- 17/26 versus 16/24 with a manual, 18/25 versus 17/23 with an automatic -- which can be attributed to the more efficient engine design, a four-percent improvement in aerodynamics (revised underbody and air dam, new rear-wheel tire spats and decklid seal), all-new electric power steering (zero drain from an engine-operated hydraulic setup), and fresh six-speed transmissions.


Mustang GT Rear View

Yes, that's right, the 2011 GT finally gets six forward ratios. Gone are last year's five-speed automatic and Tremec 3650 manual; in are all-new six-speed auto and manual boxes, the latter co-developed with Getrag. Naturally, our Grabber Blue test car came with the row-it-yourself, a sublime transmission that glides effortlessly and crisply -- throw in any complimentary adverb, really, and it'll apply to this gearbox -- through its gates and treats a deft left foot to an easy-to-use clutch with linear take-up and precise engagement.


GT Badge

Of course, in order to make a truly great powertrain there must first be a truly great power plant. Which brings me back to the 5.0. Sure the output is prodigious and the fuel economy relatively frugal, but it's the refinement, the soundtrack, and, when you want it, the muscle that make this engine so special. No doubt, buyers today will be telling their grandkids about this mill. "You think your 1.0-liter quad-turbo lithium-polymer hybrid is impressive? Hah, let me tell you about the five-point-oh in my old twenty-eleven Mustang..."


Mustang GT Cockpit

Fire up the 5.0, and it responds with the signature deep burble of a small-block Ford, quickly settling into a subdued rumble that is just audible through the new-for-'11 sound-deadening material residing on both sides of the soft-touch dash. Cruise around town or clip highway miles at 70 mph, and the 5.0 is as docile and smooth as any current American V-8. If Lincoln made a rear-drive sport sedan, this would be the motor. But stomp on the throttle, and the high-tech 302 roars to life with all the subtlety of Matt Kenseth's Sprint Cup car charging down the backstretch of Talladega. And let's just say it's not a whole lot slower, either...


Mustang GT Rear Seats

Equipped with the available 3.73 rear axle ($395), our 5.0 needed just 4.3 seconds to hit 60 and only 12.8 at 110.8 mph to knockout the quarter mile. To answer the million-dollar question: Yes, it's quicker than both the 426-horsepower Chevy Camaro SS (4.5, 12.9 at 110.7) and the 425-horse Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (4.6, 13.1 at 108.4). It's also not that far behind the 540-horse supercharged 2010 Shelby GT500, which requires 4.1 and 12.4 at 116.0. In the league of naturally aspirated muscle cars, the new Mustang GT is in a league of its own.


Mustang GT Gauges

In terms of handling, the same can be said of the GT. Both its lateral acceleration (0.94 g) and figure-eight time (25.3 seconds at 0.75 g) are superior to those of the our best SS (0.90, 25.8 at 0.80) and SRT-8 (0.87, 26.74 at 0.679). Further, the 2011 has retained the sporty, agile, and responsive sensations that we loved so much in the 2010 GT, and dialed them up a notch. Retuned springs and dampers, larger anti-roll bars, and the aforementioned electric power steering all contribute to improved dynamics. At low speeds, the steering is noticeably lighter than the previous hydraulic setup, but once speeds rise, so too does the weighting, delivering first-rate feel and feedback. Our tester was also fitted with the optional $1695 Brembo brake package (front 14.0-inch vented rotors and four-piston calipers, higher-performance stability-control tuning, and 9.0 x 19-inch alloys with 255/40 Pirelli summer tires), which provided excellent pedal feel, fade-free action, and a scant 105-foot 60-0 stopping distance.


GT Rear Camera

At $30,495 to start, the GT costs $1250 more than last year's car. Looking solely at the 97-horsepower increase, that's only $13 per pony. Our tester, which was loaded to its mane with such hefty options as the $3200 Premium package (a dressier leather-lined interior, SYNC, and an upgraded Sirius stereo), a $2340 electronics package (HD radio, dual-zone auto climate control, and nav with traffic), the $1695 Brembos, and more tallied a total of $39,750. Considering the slower, less-powerful BMW 335i Coupe starts at $43,525, a well-equipped GT Premium represents strong return on the dollar, to say the least. What's not an understatement is that the 5.0 is the fiercest and fastest Mustang GT ever. Period. Goodnight.


Mustang GT Wheel

5.0 ON THE DYNO

Ford says the 2011 Mustang 5.0 makes 412 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 390 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. To check that number, we took the new 5.0 to our dyno shop of record, the research and development department at K&N Air Filters in Riverside, California. After examining the power peaks, K&N's techs suggested we use the fourth gear pulls for the 5.0-liter. Here's what we think is the most correct output figure for the new Mustang V-8:

2011 Mustang 5.0 (4th gear pull, 15% powertrain loss)
Claimed horsepower: 412 hp @ 6500 rpm
Claimed torque: 390 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Actual horsepower: 435 hp 6500 rpm
Actual torque: 404 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm


Mustang GT Right Side

If you can believe it, that figure puts it well over the top of both the Camaro SS and Challenger SRT-8.

Source: Motortrend

2011 Ford Shelby GT500

Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds

Ever since Ford introduced the modern Shelby GT500 four years ago, almost no one has complained about the prodigious power levels produced by its supercharged 5.4-liter V8. With as much as 540 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque in the 2010 model, there was no shortage of grunt. No, the issue was an excess of mass.

Before the contemporary GT500 was born, Ford had a blown aluminum block 5.4-liter V8 in the short lived GT supercar. However, when the engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team developed the GT500, they opted to mount the GT's cylinder heads on the cast iron block used in the big F-Series pickup trucks. After debuting a visual refresh for the Mustang a year ago, Ford has spent the last two months announcing fresh new powertrains for the base and GT models. That process has now come full circle with SVT rolling out a heart transplant for the Shelby GT500. The 2011 model finally has the aluminum powerplant we all wanted when it debuted, and the effect is absolutely en-lightening.

The SVT engineers actually had a reason for going with the iron block in the first place. Mustangs like the GT500 and its Cobra ancestors often end up being heavily modified for use at drag strips and race tracks, and the SVT crew wanted to make sure the standard block could stand up to the rigors of those significantly higher outputs. They chose not to use an aluminum block until they had a chance to develop one with the same strength as the iron version, and that time has now come.

We recently had a chance to sit down with GT500 chief nameplate engineer Jamal Hameedi in his office at SVT's headquarters to learn more about what's new for 2011. Switching to an aluminum block was a bit more complicated than simply digging out the casting molds that were used for the GT. The engine in that 200+ mph supercar used a dry sump lubrication system and featured iron cylinder liners. The new GT500 engine is derived from the structural design of the older block but retains the wet sump system used in other Mustangs. The real magic is something that most owners will likely never actually see.



Last June we learned about an award that several Ford researchers had received for a cylinder bore coating system they developed called the Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) process. The Ford press release at the time framed the award in terms of fuel efficiency and gave no real hint about what was about to come. It now turns out that the first production Ford to use the PTWA process will be the 2011 GT500.

The heart of the PTWA process involves feeding a steel wire into a device that heats it up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit and then sprays it onto the aluminum cylinder bores. Ford is not actually the first company to use a process like this. Similar mechanisms have been used to coat the fan blades in jet engines for a number of years. One of the primary differences is that Ford is using PTWA with a conventional steel alloy rather than some super exotic aerospace material. Ford isn't even the first automaker to use this specific coating process. That honor falls to Nissan, which actually licensed the technology from Ford for use on its V6 engine in the GT-R.

Hameedi believes that Ford has an important advantage over Nissan. Anyone that has ever used a teflon-coated pan is familiar with the problem of the non-stick coating peeling off over time. In the past BMW has also had issues with the nickasil coatings prematurely separating on some of its aluminum blocks. Getting any dissimilar materials to adhere to each other is always a problem, so the initial surface has to be specially prepared in order for the coating to have something to hang on to. Nissan licensed Ford's coating technology but used its own surface preparation process. According to Hameedi, Ford's surface preparation works so well that even after engines have gone through a full durability cycle the bores still look like new.

Using the PTWA process allows the block to have a thinner surface coating – only 150 microns deep – that is just as tough as one with cast or pressed-in iron or steel liners. However, using less material results in lower weight. According to Hameedi, the GT500 block is 8.5 pounds lighter than the sleeved GT version. Overall, the complete engine is 102 pounds lighter than the 2010 cast iron engine. The steel coating has also helped Ford reduce the internal friction of the engine, aiding both efficiency and power production.

Hameedi explained that some drag racers complained of power drop off on humid summer days, which was attributed to reduced heat transfer efficiency. SVT addressed this with a larger intercooler that helps the engine deliver more consistent power over its entire operating range as well as under different environmental conditions. Hameedi tells Autoblog that the new aluminum block engine should be able to survive "at least" as much maximum power in modified form as the iron block equivalent. Also aiding breathing is a larger exhaust system with 2.75 inch header pipes like those on the new 5.0-liter in the Mustang GT. Out of the box, the new powerplant delivers 10 more horsepower bringing the tally up to 550 hp with the same peak torque of 510 pound-feet. Eighty percent of that torque is available everywhere between 1,750 rpm and 6,250 rpm.

For 2011, Hameedi tells us "We're at the top of the power heap, we're the fastest accelerating vehicle, so this really wasn't about going any faster in a straight line. This was about improving the weight distribution and handling of the vehicle." The new engine contributed to a 120 pound overall weight reduction with most of that coming off the front axle. Most of the rest of the weight loss came from new lighter weight wheels that are part of the SVT Performance Package. The front wheels that come with the Performance Package remain 19 inches in diameter but are 4.7 pounds lighter. The rears grow to 20 inches but are still 2.8 pounds lighter. Cutting unsprung mass is never a bad thing when it comes to both ride quality and handling. Along with the extra rear grip provided by the larger Performance Package wheels and tires, SVT has added a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio.



Like other 2011 Mustangs, the GT500 gets a new electric power assist steering (EPAS) system that Hameedi describes as "extremely precise." At parking lot speeds, he describes the steering effort as Lincoln-like but it rapidly builds up as you drive more aggressively and it supposedly has excellent on-center feel, something that is often tough to achieve with EPAS. We'll have to wait a few more months to find out just how precise that is since we won't get to drive the car until Spring.

Getting any high-powered car to accelerate, stop or turn is highly dependent on the adhesion between the tire and the road surface, especially when it's wet. SVT has adopted the latest generation Goodyear F1 supercar tires for the 2011 GT500, which Hameedi says are "a major step" beyond the previous version in both wet and dry grip. With the reduced mass on the front axle, SVT has also modified the spring and damper rates on both base and Performance Package models. The latter version gets 20.5-percent stiffer front springs and 9.5-percent tighter rears that also bring the front end 11 millimeters closer to the road and the rear 8 mm lower.

One of the main criticisms of the Mustang convertible ever since the S197 debuted for 2005 (actually ever since pretty much forever) is a lack of structural integrity. Because of that flexibility, the 2010 model GT500 convertible was actually considered more of a cruiser model and was thus tuned more for ride comfort than handling. Thus the old convertible was only available with 18-inch wheels. For 2011, SVT took the lead on developing an upgraded body structure for the convertibles that should help keep the corners of the car from moving relative to each other. The effort was successful enough that the changes are being implemented across the board on all 2011 Mustang convertibles. The 2011 GT500 convertible also gets bumped up to the 19-inch wheels and offers handling that is supposedly much closer to the coupe without degrading the ride comfort.

For those who want the sun to shine but still want the extra stiffness of the coupe, the GT500 is now available with the glass roof that has been available on regular Mustangs for the past two years.



Regardless of the roof type, Hameedi tells us that the GT500 has "a very different driving experience driving an '11 from a '10, they're much more nimble, they feel more alive, the steering is quicker." The straight-line acceleration was improved by about 1/10th of second, but overall drivability and handling are said to be vastly improved. The upgrades are far more apparent on a road course than they are at the drag strip. According to SVT spokesman Patrick Hespen, the 2011 GT500 model is three seconds a lap faster than the 2010 around a certain un-named 2.3-mile-long, northern California racetrack that happens to play host to a big historic racing event every August. Closer to home at Grattan raceway in west Michigan, the 2011 GT500 is also about 2.5-3 seconds a lap faster. Given the relatively modest power increase, those are some big numbers.

The Performance Package also gets some modest visual differentiators including narrower racing stripes down the center of the body along with the new wheel design. Inside the car, the shift knob on the Performance Package model lacks the stripes found on the base model.

While most GT500 drivers are unlikely to be too concerned about fuel efficiency, it is a political and commercial reality that Ford does have to deal with. The EPA rated the 2010 GT500 at 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway and slapped a $1,000 gas guzzler tax on the hood. The addition of EPAS, reduced mass and reduced friction all helped to improve the 2011 GT500's EPA numbers to 15 and 23 mpg and cleared the GT500of the dreaded guzzler label.

Finally, just like the new 2011 V6 and GT Mustangs, the GT500 will go into production this Spring with an on-sale date before Summer. We'll be anxiously awaiting our first time behind the wheel of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500.

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