‘LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL ALONG’
Since its introduction in model year 1964, the Ford Mustang has been the most customized two-door coupe in the automotive marketplace. Factory custom offerings as well as custom models from Shelby, Saleen, and Steeda, etc, make the Mustang available for any type of application-regular driver or weekend warrior.
For model year 2013, the factory is offering a limited-edition ‘Mustang Club of America’ (MCA) model in coupe or convertible configuration available in many paint schemes but with only the 3.7 liter 305hp V6 engine.
The MCA package includes a custom billet grille with a tri-bar Pony badge, MCA sport tape stripes, front lower fascia with foglamps, deck lid spoiler, 18X8 inch Sterling Gray metallic wheels shod with Pirelli 235/50ZR18 inch P Zero Nero low profile performance tires and custom embroidered MCA front floor mats. The MCA package is priced at just $995.00 and the optional ‘GOTTA HAVE IT GREEN is a real eye catcher with consumers checking out the car on the road and when I parked it.
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This year Ford updates the look of the entire Mustang line with new front and rear fascias, a more prominent grille and splitter, standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps including signature lighting with two individual light-emitting diode bars accentuating the headlamps , painted body-side moldings, and dramatic high-gloss black panel that connects the taillights and keeping the sequential turn signal Mustang is known for, the taillights have a smoked appearance that matches the more purposeful look up front. New, remote controlled sideview mirrors with the galloping pony projection light on the pavement instead of just regular puddle lamps.
A new optional 4.2 inch LCD screen now features Track Apps, which enables you to monitor performance measures such as g-forces, shows acceleration times in quarter-mile and 0-60mph increments, and displays braking times, complete with automatic and countdown starts. New Shaker audio systems provide a complete acoustic experience that simulates being at a live performance.
Ford has added more standard features to the V6 Mustang and they include dual stainless steel exhaust with dual, polished stainless steel exhaust tips, variable intermittent wipers/washers, leather trimmed sport seats with 6-way power driver/4-way power passenger bucket seats, center console with armrest and storage bin, dual cupholders, A/C, ambient lighting, great 3-spoke/leather/metal tilting steering wheel with cruise control/Bluetooth/audio control buttons, Shaker audio system, SYNC Voice Activated system, SIRIUS satellite radio, front floor mats, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, electric power-assisted rack & pinion steering that is perfectly weighted giving a great feel for the road, easy fuel capless filler, two power points, power windows with both express up/down, remote keyless entry, power door locks, metal foot pedals with rubber inserts, leather-wrapped/aluminum shifter knob, universal garage door opener, limited slip rear axle that really puts the power down on the pavement, 6-speed manual transmission. Options that I really enjoyed during my seven-day test drive was GOTTA HAVE IT GREEN paint, the six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift sequential shifting, Electronics Package with Ford’s Navigation System, dual-zone climate control, rear sensing parking assist, active anti-theft system, wheel locking kit, heated front seats, heated sideview mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, rear video camera, and the black vinyl convertible top that takes only 20 seconds to raise or lower. The top is extremely water tight as I drove the car during two very heavy downpours and noticed no water getting into the front or rear of the car.
Standard safety features include AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control, traction control, dual front and side airbags, LATCH system for child seats, 3-point safety belts with front load limiters/pretensioners, front/rear crumple zones with steel beams in each door, tire pressure monitor system, SOS post-crash alert system, MYKEY and integrated spotter mirrors that help detect vehicles in the blind sport.
Aside from the standard and optional equipment in my new Mustang MCA, you’ll really enjoy the 3.7 liter, aluminum block/heads, with DOHC’s and twin-independent variable camshaft timing that generates an excellent 305hp at 6,500rpm and 280lb.ft. of torque at 4,250rpm. You have a choice of the smooth shifting six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic with SelectShift that allows you to hold each forward gear up to the 6,850rpm reline to quicken your heartbeat. You blast out to 60mph from a standstill in just 5.8 seconds as the standard limited-slip differential puts the power down on those 18X8 inch tires.
The rack & pinion with electric power-assist gives you an excellent feel for the road and very quick and precise change of direction from your inputs. It is also perfectly weighed for high-speed driving, getting around slow city traffic or when parking at slow speeds.
Making getting around slow city traffic or when looking for challenging twisting roads is the excellent suspension system that features an independent front with reverse-L MacPherson struts, a 28.6 mm tubular stabilizer bar and a wide aluminum strut tower brace, while the rear stays in place utilizing a three-link solid axle setup with coil springs, gas-charged monotube shocks, a panhard rod and a solid stabilizer bar.
The braking system is up to par with four-wheel vented discs-12.4 inch up front clamped with 43mm floating aluminum calipers, and 11.8 inch discs clamped with 43mm floating iron calipers in the rear. Standard ABS keeps you in control when braking on wet or slick surfaces. Standard traction control and AdvanceTrak keep you in control of your direction when taking on the most difficult of curving roads at higher than posted speed limits.
The Mustang is iconic in the automotive marketplace with vehicles roaming the world’s cities and backroads. The all-new 2013 MCA Mustang is just another model that continues the trend of making the car more personal to the owner.
The base price of the MCA Mustang convertible is $31,200.00 and the loaded model I tested was priced at $37,810.00.
COPYRIGHT: 2012: HARVEY SCHWARTZ
