The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic vehicles on the road today with a long lineage in the heart of America. Just about every enthusiast has some type of Mustang story, even if they never drove or road in one. The 2014 Ford Mustang is the last of its breed featuring its solid rear axle, which is one of the major changes for the highly anticipated 2015 model we should see on the road in the months to come.
I had the chance to pay one last tribute to the 2014 Ford Mustang GT. Time behind the wheel reminded me when Ford decided to introduce a 5.0-liter V8 several years ago for the 2011 model. I can remember the first time I experienced the new 5.0-liter in a pre-production 2011 Ford Mustang GT coupe. It was blast taking it out for the first time rowing through all 6 gears in the short-shifting manual transmission. I knew Ford was really on to something that could compete with the big dogs costing nearly twice as much as basic Mustang GT with the 5.0-liter V8 engine pumping out 412 horsepower. Ford shocked me again a couple years later when a new 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 arrived at my doorstep packing in 662 horsepower from its 5.8-liter supercharged V8. This was THE Mustang to give supercars a run for their money, in more ways than one.
Looking to the horizon, the 2014 Mustang GT provides a small glimpse of what is to come in the all-new 2015 Mustang. Not only will Ford be using the technically mastered 5.0-liter V8 engine again, but they will have a return of the efficient yet powerful V6 and an all-new 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine. Already, the talk around the internet is at full throttle as many of us wait for a chance to experience the real full-throttle in a new 2015 Mustang with its new independent rear suspension, completely redesigned body and a new pony-car cabin.
Already, much has been revealed about the 2015 Mustang but no one has driven one yet. We hope to be on the short list to get a chance behind the wheel of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang and we will be sure to share our experience with our faithful readers and fans. Stay Tuned!!!
From Automotive Addicts Senior Editor, Chris Brewer:
Some cars are almost larger than life. Ford’s fifth-generation Mustang GT, equipped with the abundantly powerful 5.0 engine, is one of those cars.
The football linebacker inspired stance, extra wide tires, bug-eyed fog lights, and chiseled hood let you know that the Mustang means business. Jumping in and turning the key awakes all 412 horses and places them on high alert. The initial snarl and bark of the exhaust greets you like that old friend that your parents didn’t want you to hang around with, hand raised for a devious high-five. The Mustang GT begs you to misbehave.
I’ve been able to spend some time behind the wheel of both the standard and automatic transmission equipped 2014 Ford Mustangs, and I can whole-heartedly say that both are an absolute blast to drive. I am convinced that for the money there is very little that can touch the driving excitement that the current generation of Mustang offers. A stripped, bare bones 2014 5.0 is fairly comfortable to drive, brilliantly fast, and can be had for around $32k. The fact that you can buy a stock car that will take you from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds (some reports have that number a lot closer to 4) for less than $50k is pretty brilliant.
2015 Ford Mustang GT
Sure I am excited about the arrival of the all-new 2015 model and after a chat with the manager of brand marketing Melanie Banker, I can assure you that the new car will be amazing. But the fifth generation 5.0 will always have a warm place in my heart. Thank you Ford for daring to bring back legendary 5.0!
