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The new 2.3 Litre Turbocharged Mustang. Is it any good? Is it worth a look? Can it even compare with the 5.0 Litre V8 GT Mustang? Maybe that comparison isn't really the most relevant. Maybe...this is more like a tuner-stang. Yeah...a tuner-stang that will appeal to a younger driver, who might otherwise be into cherried out Honda Civics.
Ford has done away with the V6 option on the Mustang. Why??? The answer is under the hood. This 2.3 litre Ecoboost turbocharged mill, produces 310 horsepower. Yeah...310 horsepower from an all aluminum engine that displaces just 2.3 litres. Wow. That's almost exactly the same amount of power as the old V6 option, but the ecoboost 4 produces more torque.
There is more to this car than the engine though. Climb inside. Sink into the leather 6 way power drivers seat. Take hold of the leather wrapped steering wheel. Take a look at the classic styling of the dash. Gotta love the way the Mustang still keeps that symmetrical angled dash for both driver and passenger. Gotta love the retro aviation - rocket toggles. Really gotta love this digital instrument cluster. It's got options. Lots of options. Choose from different layouts to match your customizable driving mode. Pick track, sport, or normal. Pick a different colour for your instrument display.
Yeah, this is the stuff that tuner car enthusiasts are into. This is the stuff that will get a whole new generation of driver into Mustangs. Oh yeah don't forget the Magna Ride suspension. Yes, it's customizable. Pick your driving mode and the handling characteristics change.
True the 5.0 litre Mustang with that awesome V8 has more juice with about 460 horsepower, but this four cylinder turbo is lighter. It's not better or worse, it's just different. It's a tuner-stang.
Check out the sync infotainment and interior comfort systems. It's not quite as advanced as some of the newer systems on the market but it still has it where it counts, with a back up camera, six speaker stereo, navigation, full connectivity for your mobile device, dual zone climate control.
Oh yeah...the drivers seat...it has three memory settings. The passenger gets a 6 way power seat too. Back..seat? Forget it. It's for little kids and emergencies. Hey it's a Mustang. It comes with the territory.
Outside you get dual bright exhaust tips. The capless gas filler is convenient. Fuel economy? 21 MPG in the city. 31MPG on the highway. That's way better than the 5.0 litre V8 which gets 15MPG in the city, and 24 MPG on the highway. A lot will depend on how you drive that ecoboost 4 though. When you stomp on it and spool up that turbo it burns more fuel.
Gotta love the gauges. There are readings for manifold temperature, turbo boost, and oil pressure in analog and digital form....because it's a tuner-stang.
The real story here though is the 10-speed automatic transmission. Yeah 10 speeds. It's a transmission that was co-developed with General Motors and is also used in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The tranny is smooth. It's all computer controlled of course, and it shifts faster than any human possibly could which is what makes this a faster car than a Mustang equipped with a stick shift. You get paddle shifters if you really want full control. You get advance track, with stability control.
This is the convertible. We like convertibles. You get 323 litres of cargo space in the trunk on the convertible...but you get unlimited headroom.
You get 17 inch wheels standard, or upgrade to 18 inch wheels. They look great.
With the turbo four you get a car that has better balance than the V8 GT. Because the engine is lighter it puts the center of gravity closer to the center of the car. Combine that with the independent rear suspension, and add in the optional Magneride shock system and you have a car capable of competing with the best from Japan and Europe. Yes, this is a Mustang that can run with BMW's, Camaro's, and boosted Civics. It's got retro style, but it's high tech.
It's a Tuner-Stang, and it is SST approved.
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