2019 Ford Mustang GT: 55 Years of Pony Power Stays True to the Past
When Robert S. McNamara was President of Ford, he tasked Lee Iacocca to create a sporty vehicle for the public, and the T-5 Project became the Mustang and Mustang II. In 1964, Mustang became the most successful Ford launch since the Model-A, and in the ensuing 55 years, Mustang would build 10 million vehicles (about 9.7 million sold) and, would endure as the greatest-selling Pony Car of all-time.
Mustang underwent its last complete redesign in 2015, and while it freshened for 2018 with a sleek new design, advanced tech and improved performance enhancements, Mustang largely stays the course for 2019, as Ford concentrated on bringing back a new commemorative “Bullitt” edition and the “California Special” Package, both homages to 1969. The Bullitt trim is a Mustang GT level with an exclusive 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine, plus distinctive design, special cosmetics and movie-authentic dark green exterior; and the California Special is a GT cosmetics package for $2000. The 2019 Shelby GT350 (Mustang) has also been improved with new grille, rear spoiler and better aerodynamics. Two new Mustang paint schemes have been added -- Need for Green and Velocity Blue – and a new Premium 12-speaker sound system has been installed, with Bang and Olufsen replacing Shaker.
In fastback and convertible designs, the unmistakable Mustang look comes at you with an aggressive grille and Pony insert, rounded, sleek lines and muscularity. The 2019 Mustang Fastback GT model I tested gained a standard quad-tip exhaust, heated steering wheel and rearview camera. Athletic and muscular, the Mustang GT is 188.5 inches long and 75.4 inches wide. Height is 54.3 inches for the Fastback and 54.9 for the Convertible, on 107.1-inch wheelbase. With the 5.0-liter engine, the Fastback with a manual transmission weighs 3934 lbs.
Pony-Power is in Mustang’s DNA, and the 2019 Ford Mustang offers a choice of three brawny engines. EcoBoost models have a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine stampeding 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter V-8 that powered my Mustang GT galloped out 460 hp and 420 lb-ft, and under the hood of the Shelby GT350 is a 5.2-liter V-8 that explodes 526 hp and 429 lb-ft. All Mustangs are rear-wheel drive and come with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is optional on all except the Shelby.
My test Mustang GT lived up to its heritage with tire-smoking acceleration and track-worthy handling. From a stop, I crushed a zero-to-60 sprint in 4.3 seconds en route to an exhilarating 12.6-second quarter-mile, in less-than-optimal track conditions. On the highway, my Mustang stuck to the surface with stability, cornered assertively despite some minor lag from the electric power-assisted steering with rack-and-pinion gear, and shifted as smoothly as my hand and foot moved through the manual gears. The Mustang GT is rated at 15mpg/city, 25mpg/highway and 18mpg/overall with the manual transmission, and I averaged 18.2mpg in mixed-use, pedal-mashing tests.
The cabin is intuitive, pampering and packed with tech and infotainment. Premium trim level features give the interior a luxury look and feel, with a hand-stitched wrap for the center console armrest, a look that is mirrored across the instrument panel and down the sides of the center stack. Centerpoint is a 12-inch all-digital cluster is an industry-first video game-like animation of a spinning alloy wheel kicking up a cloud of smoke when line lock is activated and engaged.
Headroom remains tight for taller drivers and passengers, and cozy for average-size inhabitants at 37.6 inches (Fastback) in row one and 34.8 in row two. Legroom is spacious up front at 45.1 inches and a knees-in-the-chest 29.2 inches in row two. Shoulder room measures 56.3 in front and 52.2 in the rear.
The 2019 Ford Mustang is available in Fastback and Convertible configurations. The Fastback is available in four trims: EcoBoost® Fastback ($26,395), EcoBoost® Premium Fastback ($31,410), GT Fastback ($35,355) and GT Premium Fastback ($39,355) – this trim adds Leather-Trimmed Heated and Cooled Front Seats, SYNC®3, Heated Mirrors with Integrated Turn Signal Indicators, Selectable Drive Modes with Toggle Switches and a 9-Speaker Stereo to the GT.
The Bullitt trim starts at $46,595; the Convertible has three trims: EcoBoost® Convertible ($31,895); EcoBoost® Premium Convertible ($36,910) and GT Premium Convertible ($44,855); and The Shelby GT 350 version starts at $59,140.
My test GT Premium Fastback with the 5.0-liter engine, manual transmission and dual-exhaust tips had a dynamic Orange Fury exterior for an extra $495. I prefer a stick (manual 6-speed for the Pony), and saved $1595 by not opting for the 10-Speed SelectShift® Automatic Transmission.
The 401A Premium Plus Package added $2200 for a 12-inch LCD Digital Instrument Cluster with MyColor®, Premier Trim with Color Accent Group, Heated Steering Wheel and Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System. The Ford Safe and Smart Package added $1000 for Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support and Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers. Destination charges of $1095 put the sticker-as-tested at $44,145 (and some incentives may be available, so check with your local dealer, as my test ride would have cost $42,645 after a retail customer cash incentive.)
To check out the new Mustang GT and a showcase of more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Ford vehicles spanning more than a century, visit the largest all-Ford event in the world, this year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, May 31 through June 2. And if you like Mustangs, there is a 50-year anniversary exhibition of the 1969 Boss 429 Mustang as well as Boss 302 and 351 displays. There will also be homages to the 1969 Shelby GT350 and GT500 Mustangs and the Mustang Mach 1. And there will even be a walk-around of the all-new 2019 Roush Stage 3 Mustang and Classic Mustang ride-alongs with Gateway Classic Mustang's professional drivers behind the wheel. Also, to capture the community, you can join or watch the Ford Parade and Street Party with some 400 vehicles on parade Saturday night, June 1, in Downtown Carlisle.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>
Mustang underwent its last complete redesign in 2015, and while it freshened for 2018 with a sleek new design, advanced tech and improved performance enhancements, Mustang largely stays the course for 2019, as Ford concentrated on bringing back a new commemorative “Bullitt” edition and the “California Special” Package, both homages to 1969. The Bullitt trim is a Mustang GT level with an exclusive 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine, plus distinctive design, special cosmetics and movie-authentic dark green exterior; and the California Special is a GT cosmetics package for $2000. The 2019 Shelby GT350 (Mustang) has also been improved with new grille, rear spoiler and better aerodynamics. Two new Mustang paint schemes have been added -- Need for Green and Velocity Blue – and a new Premium 12-speaker sound system has been installed, with Bang and Olufsen replacing Shaker.
In fastback and convertible designs, the unmistakable Mustang look comes at you with an aggressive grille and Pony insert, rounded, sleek lines and muscularity. The 2019 Mustang Fastback GT model I tested gained a standard quad-tip exhaust, heated steering wheel and rearview camera. Athletic and muscular, the Mustang GT is 188.5 inches long and 75.4 inches wide. Height is 54.3 inches for the Fastback and 54.9 for the Convertible, on 107.1-inch wheelbase. With the 5.0-liter engine, the Fastback with a manual transmission weighs 3934 lbs.
Pony-Power is in Mustang’s DNA, and the 2019 Ford Mustang offers a choice of three brawny engines. EcoBoost models have a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine stampeding 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter V-8 that powered my Mustang GT galloped out 460 hp and 420 lb-ft, and under the hood of the Shelby GT350 is a 5.2-liter V-8 that explodes 526 hp and 429 lb-ft. All Mustangs are rear-wheel drive and come with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is optional on all except the Shelby.
My test Mustang GT lived up to its heritage with tire-smoking acceleration and track-worthy handling. From a stop, I crushed a zero-to-60 sprint in 4.3 seconds en route to an exhilarating 12.6-second quarter-mile, in less-than-optimal track conditions. On the highway, my Mustang stuck to the surface with stability, cornered assertively despite some minor lag from the electric power-assisted steering with rack-and-pinion gear, and shifted as smoothly as my hand and foot moved through the manual gears. The Mustang GT is rated at 15mpg/city, 25mpg/highway and 18mpg/overall with the manual transmission, and I averaged 18.2mpg in mixed-use, pedal-mashing tests.
The cabin is intuitive, pampering and packed with tech and infotainment. Premium trim level features give the interior a luxury look and feel, with a hand-stitched wrap for the center console armrest, a look that is mirrored across the instrument panel and down the sides of the center stack. Centerpoint is a 12-inch all-digital cluster is an industry-first video game-like animation of a spinning alloy wheel kicking up a cloud of smoke when line lock is activated and engaged.
Headroom remains tight for taller drivers and passengers, and cozy for average-size inhabitants at 37.6 inches (Fastback) in row one and 34.8 in row two. Legroom is spacious up front at 45.1 inches and a knees-in-the-chest 29.2 inches in row two. Shoulder room measures 56.3 in front and 52.2 in the rear.
The 2019 Ford Mustang is available in Fastback and Convertible configurations. The Fastback is available in four trims: EcoBoost® Fastback ($26,395), EcoBoost® Premium Fastback ($31,410), GT Fastback ($35,355) and GT Premium Fastback ($39,355) – this trim adds Leather-Trimmed Heated and Cooled Front Seats, SYNC®3, Heated Mirrors with Integrated Turn Signal Indicators, Selectable Drive Modes with Toggle Switches and a 9-Speaker Stereo to the GT.
The Bullitt trim starts at $46,595; the Convertible has three trims: EcoBoost® Convertible ($31,895); EcoBoost® Premium Convertible ($36,910) and GT Premium Convertible ($44,855); and The Shelby GT 350 version starts at $59,140.
My test GT Premium Fastback with the 5.0-liter engine, manual transmission and dual-exhaust tips had a dynamic Orange Fury exterior for an extra $495. I prefer a stick (manual 6-speed for the Pony), and saved $1595 by not opting for the 10-Speed SelectShift® Automatic Transmission.
The 401A Premium Plus Package added $2200 for a 12-inch LCD Digital Instrument Cluster with MyColor®, Premier Trim with Color Accent Group, Heated Steering Wheel and Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System. The Ford Safe and Smart Package added $1000 for Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support and Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers. Destination charges of $1095 put the sticker-as-tested at $44,145 (and some incentives may be available, so check with your local dealer, as my test ride would have cost $42,645 after a retail customer cash incentive.)
To check out the new Mustang GT and a showcase of more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Ford vehicles spanning more than a century, visit the largest all-Ford event in the world, this year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, May 31 through June 2. And if you like Mustangs, there is a 50-year anniversary exhibition of the 1969 Boss 429 Mustang as well as Boss 302 and 351 displays. There will also be homages to the 1969 Shelby GT350 and GT500 Mustangs and the Mustang Mach 1. And there will even be a walk-around of the all-new 2019 Roush Stage 3 Mustang and Classic Mustang ride-alongs with Gateway Classic Mustang's professional drivers behind the wheel. Also, to capture the community, you can join or watch the Ford Parade and Street Party with some 400 vehicles on parade Saturday night, June 1, in Downtown Carlisle.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>
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