Latest news with #Mustangs
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SMU's successful bid to join ACC leads to playoff berth, record donations — and more interest
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — SMU bet on itself when it made a bold bid to join the Atlantic Coast Conference — and it has paid off big time. Now the Mustangs are looking build on that momentum in Year 2. The Dallas-based school chose to forego nine years of media-rights distribution simply for the opportunity to move from the American Conference — where it won the conference championship in 2023 — into a Power Four conference. And the Mustangs not only proved they could compete in the conference, but could win at the next level. Advertisement They ran the ACC table in the regular season finishing 8-0 in conference play under coach Rhett Lashlee to reach the ACC championship game, where they lost to perennial league power Clemson. But it was enough to get SMU into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. 'I would say it validated a lot of things for us,' Lashlee said Tuesday during the league's preseason media days. 'It validated that we belonged. It validated all of the support from donors and fans. And I think for a lot of the fans that been around for the 30 or 40 years it was vindication.' SMU earned a $4 million payday for the CFP bid, the product of the ACC's 'success initiative' allowing teams to keep money generated by their own postseason success. But equally as important, it helped ignite a level of interest in the program not seen since before the school received the notorious 'death penalty' from the NCAA in 1987 for secret slush-fund payments to players after multiple warnings. The Mustang Club, the fundraising support arm for SMU athletics, had record support by raising more than $65 million in cash gifts from 6,158 donors for the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of $10 million from the previous year. Football season tickets and revenue also reached record highs, with 2024 season tickets doubling from a year earlier, increasing revenue by 157%. Income from concessions, parking and licensing revenue all rose more than 100% after the move to the ACC. Advertisement Last year, SMU arrived at its first ACC media days after announcing it had surpassed a $125 million fundraising goal since being added to the ACC along with California and Stanford. In an email to The Associated Press, SMU spokeswoman Megan Jacob said first-year undergraduate applications for the fall semester reached more than 24,000 after hovering from 14,000-16,000 going back to 2016. Jacob said the school also had a 63% increase in applications from transfer students for the upcoming semester from a year earlier. 'We didn't just enter the ACC. We confidently announced our arrival,' said Josh Whittenburg, SMU's associate athletic director for development, in a release from the school. 'Nowhere is that more evident than in the generosity of our donors. They saw a need and answered the call. I'm inspired by their commitment, and the growth we've experienced is a direct reflection of their belief in SMU's future.' In an interview with the AP, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips described the deal that brought SMU into the fold alongside California and Stanford — which took seven years of reduced media payouts (about 30%) — as an 'innovative' move. Advertisement 'It shows you the will of an institution, if you're just talking about SMU, to just want to get a chance to play at the Power Four level, what they're willing to do,' Phillips said. 'I'm not overly surprised at what I witnessed, what the country witnessed. ... You could see that was a school that was thirsty for the opportunity to get to the P-4. And I think you'll see them continue to be really successful, not only in this league but nationally.' SMU's success has also allowed Lashlee and his staff to pave major inroads into the historically strong region of high school football recruiting in Texas known as the Metroplex. 'Arguably year in and year out, the best high school talent comes out of the Metroplex,' Lashlee said. 'So for us to be positioned there as the only school within 30 miles of downtown Dallas is a huge advantage for us. Kids want to stay in Dallas, they want to stay and play in Texas, we just had to give them a reason.' They certainly have it now with the program on the upswing. Advertisement The Mustangs return Kevin Jennings at quarterback, who said the goal for the school's encore season in the ACC is to win a conference title and a national championship. 'The energy level on campus is crazy,' Jennings said. 'We know what we can do. The sky is the limit.' ___ AP college football: and
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SMU's successful bid to join ACC leads to playoff berth, record donations — and more interest
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — SMU bet on itself when it made a bold bid to join the Atlantic Coast Conference — and it has paid off big time. Now the Mustangs are looking build on that momentum in Year 2. The Dallas-based school chose to forego nine years of media-rights distribution simply for the opportunity to move from the American Conference — where it won the conference championship in 2023 — into a Power Four conference. And the Mustangs not only proved they could compete in the conference, but could win at the next level. They ran the ACC table in the regular season finishing 8-0 in conference play under coach Rhett Lashlee to reach the ACC championship game, where they lost to perennial league power Clemson. But it was enough to get SMU into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. 'I would say it validated a lot of things for us,' Lashlee said Tuesday during the league's preseason media days. 'It validated that we belonged. It validated all of the support from donors and fans. And I think for a lot of the fans that been around for the 30 or 40 years it was vindication.' SMU earned a $4 million payday for the CFP bid, the product of the ACC's 'success initiative' allowing teams to keep money generated by their own postseason success. But equally as important, it helped ignite a level of interest in the program not seen since before the school received the notorious 'death penalty' from the NCAA in 1987 for secret slush-fund payments to players after multiple warnings. The Mustang Club, the fundraising support arm for SMU athletics, had record support by raising more than $65 million in cash gifts from 6,158 donors for the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of $10 million from the previous year. Football season tickets and revenue also reached record highs, with 2024 season tickets doubling from a year earlier, increasing revenue by 157%. Income from concessions, parking and licensing revenue all rose more than 100% after the move to the ACC. Last year, SMU arrived at its first ACC media days after announcing it had surpassed a $125 million fundraising goal since being added to the ACC along with California and Stanford. In an email to The Associated Press, SMU spokeswoman Megan Jacob said first-year undergraduate applications for the fall semester reached more than 24,000 after hovering from 14,000-16,000 going back to 2016. Jacob said the school also had a 63% increase in applications from transfer students for the upcoming semester from a year earlier. 'We didn't just enter the ACC. We confidently announced our arrival,' said Josh Whittenburg, SMU's associate athletic director for development, in a release from the school. 'Nowhere is that more evident than in the generosity of our donors. They saw a need and answered the call. I'm inspired by their commitment, and the growth we've experienced is a direct reflection of their belief in SMU's future.' In an interview with the AP, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips described the deal that brought SMU into the fold alongside California and Stanford — which took seven years of reduced media payouts (about 30%) — as an 'innovative' move. 'It shows you the will of an institution, if you're just talking about SMU, to just want to get a chance to play at the Power Four level, what they're willing to do,' Phillips said. 'I'm not overly surprised at what I witnessed, what the country witnessed. ... You could see that was a school that was thirsty for the opportunity to get to the P-4. And I think you'll see them continue to be really successful, not only in this league but nationally.' SMU's success has also allowed Lashlee and his staff to pave major inroads into the historically strong region of high school football recruiting in Texas known as the Metroplex. 'Arguably year in and year out, the best high school talent comes out of the Metroplex,' Lashlee said. 'So for us to be positioned there as the only school within 30 miles of downtown Dallas is a huge advantage for us. Kids want to stay in Dallas, they want to stay and play in Texas, we just had to give them a reason.' They certainly have it now with the program on the upswing. The Mustangs return Kevin Jennings at quarterback, who said the goal for the school's encore season in the ACC is to win a conference title and a national championship. 'The energy level on campus is crazy,' Jennings said. 'We know what we can do. The sky is the limit.' ___ AP college football: and
Time Business News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
Why Is the Mustang Fastback 2+2 Loved by Collectors?
The Ford Mustang is more than just a car; it's a cultural icon that has captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts for over six decades. Among its many iterations, one model stands out as a timeless masterpiece: the Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2. Introduced in the mid-1960s, this sleek, sporty vehicle redefined American muscle cars with its bold design and exhilarating performance. For collectors, the allure of the 1967 Mustang Fastback lies in its perfect balance of vintage aesthetics and raw power, making it a coveted piece of automotive history. The Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is instantly recognisable for its aggressive stance and sleek lines. Launched as part of the Mustang's first generation, the fastback body style was introduced in 1965, with the 1967 model refining the design to near perfection. Its long hood, short deck, and sloping roofline create a silhouette that remains iconic to this day. The 1967 Mustang Fastback's design was a departure from the boxy cars of its era. The fastback roofline, which seamlessly flows into the rear, gives the car a sense of motion even when standing still. This design, paired with signature elements like the tri-bar taillights and side scoops, makes the 67 Mustang Fastback a visual standout. Revology Cars, based in Orlando, Florida, has mastered the art of recreating the Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 with meticulous attention to detail. Their reproductions stay true to the original design while incorporating modern materials and manufacturing techniques. For instance, Revology uses CAD-designed production fixtures and structural adhesives to enhance body rigidity, eliminating the squeaks and rattles common in vintage Mustangs. This blend of classic style and contemporary craftsmanship makes their 1967 Mustang Fastback for sale a top choice for collectors who want the best of both worlds. Beyond its stunning looks, the Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is celebrated for its performance. In the 1960s, the Mustang set the standard for American muscle cars, and the fastback model was the pinnacle of this legacy. Its combination of power, handling, and versatility made it a favourite among car enthusiasts. Revology Cars elevates the performance of the Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 to modern standards. Their reproductions feature Ford's 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, producing 460 horsepower in standard models and an impressive 710 horsepower in supercharged Cobra Jet and Shelby GT500 variants. Paired with a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission, these cars offer thrilling acceleration and smooth handling. Revology also equips their Mustangs with a double-wishbone front suspension and a Ford 8.8-inch rear end with a limited-slip differential, ensuring superior drivability compared to the original 1967 Mustang. The Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is more than a car; it's a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and American ingenuity. Its cultural significance has made it a favourite among collectors who value its historical and emotional resonance. The 1967 Mustang Fastback gained legendary status through its appearance in films like Bullitt , where Steve McQueen piloted a Highland Green fastback through the streets of San Francisco in one of cinema's most iconic chase scenes. This exposure cemented the 67 Mustang Fastback as a cultural touchstone, driving demand among collectors. Revology Cars offers a Bullitt -inspired model, complete with the signature Highland Green paint and minimalist grille, appealing to fans of both the car and the film. The 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback captured the spirit of a transformative decade. It appealed to the youthful, adventurous Baby Boomer generation, who saw it as a statement of individuality and performance. For collectors, owning a 1967 Mustang Fastback for sale is like owning a piece of that era, a tangible connection to a time when automotive design was bold and unapologetic. Revology Cars has redefined what it means to own a Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2. By building brand-new reproductions rather than restoring old models, they offer collectors a unique opportunity to own a classic car with modern reliability and performance. Unlike traditional restomods, Revology's Mustangs are built from the ground up using new parts and advanced manufacturing techniques, with a unibody chassis reinforced with additional welds and structural adhesives, increasing rigidity by 40-60% compared to original Mustangs. This results in a quieter, safer, and more durable vehicle, ensuring the 1967 Mustang Fastback stands the test of time, which collectors highly value for its meticulous craftsmanship. Revology equips its Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 with modern features like air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, and power-assisted brakes and steering, making it suitable for daily driving. These upgrades preserve the car's classic charm while allowing collectors to enjoy their investment on the road, addressing the lack of conveniences found in vintage 67 Mustangs for sale. For collectors, the Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is not just a passion project; it's a sound investment. The value of classic Mustangs, particularly the 1967 models, has steadily appreciated over the years due to their rarity and cultural significance. The 1967 Mustang Fastback is one of the most sought-after classic cars, with well-preserved or professionally restored models fetching high prices at auctions. Revology's reproductions have also shown strong resale value, with one Shelby GT500 fastback selling for $299,000 in 2025. As the only company licensed by Ford to produce brand‑new 1960s Mustangs, Revology Cars holds a unique position in the market. Their 1967 Mustang Fastback for sale offers collectors the chance to own a car that feels authentic yet performs like a modern vehicle. With only a few hundred units produced since 2014, these cars are rare, further enhancing their investment potential. Enthusiasts often share insights and photos in Reddit communities, and you can explore more in Mustang discussion threads. The Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is a collector's dream, blending timeless design, thrilling performance, and cultural significance. Its sleek fastback silhouette, powerful V8 engines, and iconic status make it a standout in the world of classic cars. Revology Cars has elevated this legend by crafting brand-new reproductions that combine the 1967 Mustang Fastback's vintage charm with modern engineering. Whether you're drawn to its cinematic legacy, its historical importance, or its investment potential, the 67 Mustang Fastback remains a beloved icon. For collectors seeking a perfect blend of nostalgia and performance, Revology's Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 is the ultimate choice. The 1967 Mustang Fastback is popular due to its iconic design, powerful V8 engines, and cultural significance, especially its role in films like Bullitt . Its rarity and timeless style make it a valuable collector's item. Revology Cars builds brand-new 1967 Mustang Fastbacks with modern materials, advanced engineering, and features like a 710-horsepower V8, touchscreen infotainment, and enhanced safety, ensuring reliability and drivability. Yes, the 1967 Mustang Fastback is a strong investment due to its rising market demand and limited supply. Revology's reproductions, with their modern upgrades, also hold significant resale value. The 1967 Mustang GT models feature a manual transmission, while the GTA models come with an automatic. Both offer high-performance engines and classic fastback styling, appealing to collectors. Revology's 1967 Mustang Fastback is designed for daily driving, with modern amenities like air conditioning, power steering, and a reliable V8 engine, making it practical yet nostalgic. The cost of a Revology 1967 Mustang Fastback varies based on customization, but prices often approach $300,000 due to their premium build quality and modern features. Check for details. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hamilton Spectator
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
People say it's not a Mustang, but they would be surprised. It's the real deal
Three years ago, when Danielle Hornby was shopping for a new car, her top priority was all-wheel drive. She also had an interest in EVs due to increasing gas prices. She's 'not a car person' and wasn't set on a particular brand, but ended up buying a white Ford 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium Edition, an all-electric crossover named for the iconic Ford pony car. 'I had a leased Audi Q5 and the lease was coming up. Driving to work in winter (then Whitby to the Pickering nuclear plant, now Cobourg to Darlington), I have to deal with bad weather on the highway and having anything but all-wheel drive is not a consideration. I didn't know of many electric vehicles, other than the Nissan Leaf, but my husband Kent had done research and knew about EVs. I put a deposit on another EV, but it would not be in when I had to give up my leased car. You didn't have to wait long to get a Mach-E. The Ford dealership had one in the shop getting its software upgraded. I couldn't drive it, as it was someone's car, but I got to sit in it. It's the first car I've bought that I never test drove. I put my husband in the back seat, as he's six-foot-two, and my son is six-foot-four, so I wanted to make sure there was enough headroom for my oversized family and that it had adequate trunk space. It's one-pedal drive, like a Tesla, so there was a big of a learning curve. You put your foot on the accelerator and it moves off, you take your foot off and it brakes. It has its own sound when it backs up, and has an electric whine when it's running, but it's so quiet, some people don't hear it, so it's good that it has really good brakes. A few of my co-workers drive gas Mustangs. People who own those Mustangs say my car is not a real Mustang, and I don't call it that. I call it a Mach-E. It's not a sports car; it's a crossover vehicle. It's likely the most powerful vehicle I've ever driven. It has instant torque and all those who say it's not a 'real' Mustang would be surprised. (It can go from zero to 96 kph in 3.5 seconds.) It's handy when I have to pass slow people on the 401, or to get away from tail-gaters. It handles well in snow. It's 4,800 pounds, so it's heavy. I was at a stop sign and got rear-ended by a Honda Pilot minivan. My car didn't move, but the Honda spun around and almost hit me again. I thought it was impressive that a much larger car bounced off the Mach-E and it didn't budge. When we moved to a new house this year, we brought the Canadian-made Grizzl-E Level 2 car charger we had and had an electrician install it in the garage. There are chargers at my workplace, but you have to pay for them, but I never use them. EV owners typically follow the ABCs — Always Be Charging — but I don't charge my car every night. It has a 400-km range, although it's less in winter. When we lived in Whitby, I charged it to 100 per cent and we drove it to Niagara-on-the-Lake and back, and it still had 20-per-cent charge. Typically, I don't charge it to more than 90 per cent to preserve the battery life. I have no range anxiety and our other car is a gas vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma. The Mach-E is the commuter car. Last year, there was a fatal crash on the 401 on my way home from work, and my 20-minute drive took two hours. Running out of charge wasn't a concern. People have misconceptions about electric cars, but if you're not moving, you're hardly using any charge. I've never had so many people come up to one of my cars to check it out as this one. The car has dual electric motors, and one of the strangest questions I got was whether I got to pick how many motors it had. If it's after dark and I approach the car, welcome lights turn on, including a projection of the Mustang pony logo. I like the vehicle. It's got lots of headroom, it's fun to drive, it's easy to handle, and it's fun to leave someone in the dust. For a commuter car, I'd get an EV again.
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Top 10 Ford Mustangs of all time: A legendary ride through history
Over the course of history, American muscle has come in a ton of different flavors, but perhaps one of the most longstanding and iconic is the Ford Mustang. Introduced at the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Mustang was an immediate sales hit thanks to its affordable price and great looks. More than six decades later, Ford has produced countless Mustang models and variants, each unique and distinct. What's fascinating is they haven't always adhered to a consistent formula, but the execution has always been the same: to give much higher-dollar and more exotic sports cars a run for their money. That's what we call a democratization of performance and power. Below, we've made the difficult choice of narrowing down our favorite Mustangs to the 10 listed in chronological order. Did your favorites make it? Keep reading to find out. 1964.5 Ford Mustang Here's how confident Ford was in the brand-new, first-ever Mustang when it made its debut in 1964: It had journalists take the test cars on a 750-mile trip from Westchester County, New York, back to its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, for what was clearly intended to be a reliability test. Ultimately, Mustang sales quadrupled what Ford estimated them to be. Part of that, surely, was because of the sheer number of options offered. Not only were there 15 exterior paint colors to choose from, but there were also five different selections for vinyl seat upholstery. Convertibles and hardtops were available side by side, and convertible customers could have either white or black fabric roofs, while hardtops could be had with either white or black vinyl tops. Then there were the engine options. You could get the first Mustang with either a 2.8-liter inline-six with 101 hp, a 4.3-liter V-8 with 164 hp, a 4.7-liter V-8 with 210 hp, or a special, high-compression version of the 4.7-liter that kicked power up to 271. The six-cylinder and 4.3-liter V-8 came standard with a three-speed manual, and the 4.7-liter V-8 had a four-speed manual. Everything except the high-compression 4.7-liter could be fitted with Ford's three-speed automatic. 1964.5 Ford Mustang specs 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 It didn't take long for the iconic Mustang to reach a new stratosphere of iconic with the 1965 Shelby GT350. Built for the track, the first GT350s ignored comfort in favor of lap times. Turning the Mustang into a bona fide Corvette-killer proved no easy task, as the Ford Falcon platform underpinning the car wasn't exactly motorsport material. Engineers had to keep costs down, too. 'The decision to go with the live axle was okay with Ford,' we wrote in a retrospective from 2017, 'as Klaus Arning estimated the development of the [independent rear suspension] would cost upwards of $85,000. The Shelby G.T. 350 utilized the Galaxie station wagon rear end equipped with a towing package with Ford's largest rear brakes at 10 inches in diameter with 2.5-inch-wide sintered metallic brake linings. Best of all, this axle bolted right into the Mustang chassis with very little modification.' The result? Something very good: 'At Interstate speeds, the GT350 is rough and ready,' Donald Farr wrote in 2010. 'It's not a luxury car by any stretch of the imagination. The suspension is stiff, wind whooshes by the open side windows, and header heat rises off the floor pans. The car even smells fast. And did I mention that it's loud? At 65 mph and 3,000 rpm, the blown-out glasspacks drown out any attempt at passenger conversation.' 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 specs 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake Once upon a time, there was a Mustang with the heart of a GT40. As the story goes, Carroll Shelby was hired to showcase some new Goodyear tires. The Super Snake that resulted was a one-off GT500 prototype that used a monstrous 427 V-8 like one found in the Ford GT40 race car. A Shelby test diver took the car 500 miles around Goodyear's oval test track and averaged 142 mph, thus showing the Goodyears were more than up to snuff. Plans to build more of the GT500 Super Snakes were scrapped, so this is the only one in existence. It might very well be the most valuable Mustang ever. Half a century later, Shelby finally created a 'continuation run' of cars built on real 1967 Mustangs and given all the GT500 Super Snake hardware. The cars are not technically from the time, but they're also not new cars, either. Regardless, when a '67 Super Snake rides again, everyone wins. 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake specs 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR With plenty of spoilers and scoops, the GT500KR was the nastiest Mustang of its age. Knowingly, KR stood for 'King of the Road.' With just 933 fastbacks built, the GT500KR wears the beautiful, elongated lines that define '60s car design. 'The KR does its talking underhood, though,' we wrote in a 2001 comparison against a 1999 Mustang SVT Cobra. 'In mid-1968, Ford spanked the competition with a surprise of its own: the Bob Tasca Ford–inspired 428 Cobra Jet FE-series big-block in the GT500. Period road tests prove the 428 Cobra Jet could rocket the Shelby Mustang through the quarter mile in 14 seconds flat with 3.91:1 gears; with 3.50:1 cruising gears, 14.5 seconds. This makes the GT500KR a formidable competitor for the SVT Cobra. In perfect tune with a seasoned drag racer at the wheel, the KR will stay flush with the more high-tech Cobra.' We won't spoil the rest. 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR specs 1984 Ford Mustang SVO As a response to fuel shortages and high gas prices of the '70s, the Mustang underwent some market-demanded changes but emerged to usher in the '80s with the Fox body. And one of the coolest of the Fox-bodied Mustangs was the 1984 Mustang SVO. The SVO implemented a ton of Mustang firsts, including disc brakes at all four wheels and intercooled turbocharging for its small-displacement four-cylinder. Because it saved 150 or so pounds over the 5.0-liter Mustang GT, the SVO wound up being quite the handling athlete, with us calling it 'the best-driving street Mustang the factory has ever produced' at the time. It proved you didn't need a giant engine and massive power to make a Mustang fun. Sometimes you just need lightness. Maybe that Colin Chapman guy did know a thing or two about cars. Plus, the SVO was better on gas, which, with ever-shifting fuel prices, is something that's always a plus. 1984 Ford Mustang SVO specs 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R It pretty much goes without saying that if you see an 'R' anywhere in a car's name, chances are it'll be awesome. The 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R was no exception. With a quoted top speed of 170 mph, the R version of the Cobra had a 5.4-liter, 385-hp V-8, a lowered suspension setup, bigger brakes and wheels, stickier tires, exterior aero bits, and Recaro bucket seats. Oh, and it came with a manual transmission, too. Only 300 were built. 'Our acceleration tests revealed steam catapult-like launches with 60 mph arriving in just 4.4 seconds and the quarter taking 12.9 seconds at 110.8 mph,' we reported in a 2004 road test. 'That compares favorably with the Corvette's 4.8-second run to 60 and 13.3 at 108.6 through the quarter mile. To more reliably and efficiently handle the 5.4's extra muscle, Ford specified beefier axle shafts, a 3.55:1 axle ratio, and a Gerodisc hydromechanical differential with speed and torque sensitivity. But, of course, these goodies would be useless if the suspension couldn't keep the rubber on the ground most of the time.' 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R specs 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Whether you believe Steve McQueen's 1968 movie Bullitt delivers either the greatest car chase scene in cinematic history or is the most boring hyped-up movie to date, the first Mustang Bullitt deserves to be on this list simply because of how great it looks. Dark metallic green is a lovely shade on any car, but it's extra special here. We were even able to look past the fake hood scoop. 'Except for balls-to-the-wall acceleration, the Bullitt is by far the best GT ever,' we wrote in 2002. 'The handling is flatter, the styling better and the braking shorter than any non-Cobra that's come before it. The interior is totally cool, and Team Mustang obviously sweat the details with the aluminum trim, red rotors, etc.' We just really, really didn't like the fact that the modified engine made just 5 hp more than stock. Ultimately, we deemed the first Bullitt Mustang had a ton to love but also needed work. 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt specs 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 The fifth-generation Mustang caught a lot of heat for its continued use of a solid rear axle. But before retiring the technology on the Mustang for good in favor of an independent rear suspension, Ford made it the best version of itself in the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302. In our first drive from 2011, we called it 'the best of all the current Mustangs.' Jason Cammisa wrote, 'It's the best expression of a modern muscle car and, frankly, it's the best all-around sports car to wear a Mustang badge. Unburdened with the extra weight and disproportionate thrust of the supercharged GT500, unafflicted with the GT's cushy suspension, and unfettered by the V-6's incorrect soundtrack, the Boss 302 is, to us, exactly what a Mustang should be.' The Laguna Seca version lost the rear seats and replaced them with a cross brace and added a 1.0mm larger anti-roll bar, Torsen limited-slip differential, stiffer rear springs, and 1.0-inch-wider rear wheels with R-compound Pirelli Corsa tires. Cool in concept, but unless you're tracking it often, we didn't know if the reduction in practicality was ultimately worth the $6,995 premium. 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 specs 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Perhaps this author's favorite Mustang of all time is the 2016 Shelby GT350. As a tribute to the original GT350, it's a very fitting one. From the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated flat-plane Voodoo V-8 with an 8,250-rpm redline came the music of the gods. Perfectly paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the 2016 GT350 was a delight both on and off track. 'The engineering effort translates into a Mustang that is ridiculously fun and easy to drive at speed,' we wrote in a first drive. 'The readiness of the chassis and suspension gives drivers confidence and a variety of driving situations. Stability, feel, and control have been taken to a new level. The body remains flat during all phases of cornering, and when braking, you'll sense virtually no nose dive or nervousness in the rear. Turn-in occurs immediately, almost as if your thoughts, rather than your hands, are connected to the wheel. The steering is the most precise we've seen from a production Mustang. Save for a touch of understeer, the balance was spot on.' 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 specs 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse The Shelby GT350 is no more, but fans of the current-generation Mustang can get their fix with the Dark Horse, which was a finalist in our recent Performance Vehicle of the Year event. Though there's the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 under this hood instead of the berserk Voodoo engine, you still get a Tremec six-speed manual if you so choose. Plus, the automatic-equipped Dark Horse currently holds MotorTrend's shortest braking-distance record (from 60 mph to a standstill) to date at just 86 feet. This means it beat out all the Ferraris, Porsches, and other high-performance stuff we've tested. 'When you put the spurs to the Dark Horse, a tuned version of Ford's naturally aspirated Coyote V-8 pushing an even 500 horsepower howls through a standard active exhaust,' we wrote in our PVOTY review. 'In our testing, we hustled a manual-transmission-equipped model like the one we had at Chuckwalla to a 0–60-mph time of 4.1 seconds. (We got it down to 3.7 in an automatic-equipped car.)' 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse specs Photos by manufacturer, MotorTrend staff, Ryan Lugo
