This car is definitely underrated. Ford says that the 2011 Mustang GT makes 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its new, advanced 5.0-liter V8. Well, it belted out 395 horsepower at 6,600 RPM and 365 pound-feet of torque at 4,350 rpm. That's at the wheel, natch, and since IL estimates the 'Stang sees only an 11% to 13% driveline loss thanks to its stick axle, the car is likely making somewhere between 438 and 446 horsepower at the crank – far more than the advertised 412
Is it possible that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT media launch testers are juiced? Sure it is, but we think it's unlikely. Reason number one is that Ford would be exposed the moment customer cars started getting delivered and dynoed, which would then look really foolish. Reason number two is the 1999 SVT Cobra. Upon its release, that particular car became infamous for not making its advertised 320 horsepower. While Ford eventually made things right via a recall, the incident was clearly embarrassing and likely left Dearborn with a "never again" mentality that sticks to this day. Hence, we're inclined to think Inside Line's numbers are no fluke. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, with its new engine, is designed to punch the Chevrolet Camaro in the teeth and make it taste blood.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/25/video-inside-line-dynos-the-2011-ford-mustang-gt-5-0/#continued
Is it possible that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT media launch testers are juiced? Sure it is, but we think it's unlikely. Reason number one is that Ford would be exposed the moment customer cars started getting delivered and dynoed, which would then look really foolish. Reason number two is the 1999 SVT Cobra. Upon its release, that particular car became infamous for not making its advertised 320 horsepower. While Ford eventually made things right via a recall, the incident was clearly embarrassing and likely left Dearborn with a "never again" mentality that sticks to this day. Hence, we're inclined to think Inside Line's numbers are no fluke. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, with its new engine, is designed to punch the Chevrolet Camaro in the teeth and make it taste blood.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/25/video-inside-line-dynos-the-2011-ford-mustang-gt-5-0/#continued
