Sunday, May 29, 2016

2016 FORD GT MUSTANG 5.0 CONVERTIBLE



Yes after 50 plus years and over nine (9) million Mustangs sold according to Ford Motor PR department I see nothing but higher sales. I love the 500GT Convertible it has the long front end we all know well. It has kept the roar of the Mustang. That sound is important to consumers and to Ford.  One European journalist  stated that the V8 really wins out is with its timeless, filthy eight-cylinder soundtrack. Most of the time it’s a soft but menacing wub-wub.  Hit the pedal to the metal and it and  the wub-wub roar explodes.







I wish the quality of some of the interior would step up a notch. The price of the Mustang is high. Demand is high  and in the market today it is hard to find a Coupe or Convertible. The model I drove come in under $50,000 dollars. Look at the photos and you will see the amazing Mustang as I do through my lens. 

The rear wheel drive has improved and a superb suspension makes the drive a treat. More than that the power to the paddle puts a smile on your face.  Ford states 4.6 seconds to 60 MPH. The five (5) liter V8 delivers 420 horses and 390 foot pounds of torque.





















On the highway the Pony moves well at all speeds. In the smaller mountain ranges I traversed the suspension and handling was terrific.  If you love Mustang GT 500’s you will not complain.  Sure the Nissan 370Z, Audi TT, Audi A5 Cabrio, BMW’s cabrio plus Mercedes and exceptional on the same drive and those owners will not want to discuss Mustang, Challenger, or the advances the Camero have made.

The top on the Mustang GT 500 convertible fit well and to raise or lower it was fast and simple. Trunk space is excellent and it holds a lot more than previous models. Ford states the trunk holds two sets of golf clubs? What size golf bags I wonder.

I like the improvements on the interior. Other journalist complaint the seats are not up to par!  They don’t like the steering wheel. Improvements over the years I have seen. True Mustang owners will continue to buy the Pony car.

The Mustang has added upgraded infotainment system including their Synch 3 and Conversational  Voice Recognition and smartphone-like touch screen.










Convertible competition could be the Nissan 370Z  Cabrio, Audi TT Cabrio, Chevy Camaro 2LT convertible,  Audi  A5 Cabrio, Mercedes SLK, and the BMW  4 series convertible.  The Dodge Challenger is a bargain and has superb features as does the Camaro  2 LT Convertible. The Camaro is $35,000 plus for the V6. Get serious price is nearly $20.00 less than the Mustang Convertible? The Challenger V8 convertible starts at $31,000- a deal and I love this car!
























THE ENGINE IS WHAT MAKES THE 5.0!












NOT MUCH ROOM IN THE REAR! THE LEATHER INTERIOR IS A PLUS.






NO SPARE TIRE BUT YOU CAN ORDER ONE.





















Convertible competition could be the Nissan 370Z  Cabrio, Audi TT Cabrio, Chevy Camaro 2LT convertible,  Audi  A5 Cabrio, Mercedes SLK, and the BMW  4 series convertible.  The Dodge Challenger is a bargain and has superb features as does the Camaro  2 LT Convertible. The Camaro is $35,000 plus for the V6. Get serious price is nearly $20.00 less than the Mustang Convertible? The Challenger V8 convertible starts at $31,000- a deal and I love this car!

Fifty years ago, Ford Motor Company, Shelby American and Hertz teamed up to introduce the 1966 Shelby GT350-H – kicking off what was known then as the Hertz “Rent-A-Racer” program. To celebrate 50 years of the famed Shelby GT350-H “Rent-A-Racer,” the three iconic brands have partnered again to create a special run of performance-modified 2016 Shelby GT-H vehicles. Beginning this summer, a limited number of 2016 Shelby GT-H vehicles will be available for rent exclusively through the Hertz Adrenaline Collection at select U.S. airport locations.

Each Shelby GT-H wears black exterior paint, set off with gold racing stripes, a hallmark of the Hertz brand dating back to the 1920s.

Shelby’s traditional "Le Mans" dual racing stripes are combined with a set of rocker stripes that include special "Shelby GT-H" nomenclature.
Each car sports a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and features Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered badge.

Special badges appear in the front grille, rear faux gas cap and trunk lid. Inside, Shelby GT-H logos are on the head restraint, sill plates and floor mats.
To hint at the 5.0 liter V8 engine’s capabilities, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with a unique Shelby-designed vented hood, carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler.

·       Ford Performance cat-back performance exhaust for that throaty sound that makes this car unmistakably a Shelby Mustang GT-H.
·       To put all of the horsepower to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H also comes with the Ford Racing Handling Pack, including special-tuned dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a staggered wheel kit.
·       The Shelby GT-H rides on 19-inch aluminum wheels wearing high performance Michelin rubber.

Another first for Ford is that the Mustang models will be available in Asia and Europe.

UK buyers have a choice of two engines: the V8 or a  2.3 liter EcoBoost 2.3-litre four  cylinder (310bhp, 320lb ft and 35.3mpg). The latter’s undoubtedly the more practical option, capable of going almost twice as far on each gallon than the eight, and the performance sacrifice isn’t as grave as you might think: a second on the 0-62mph sprint (5.8sec against the V8’s 4.8) and 10mph at the top end (145mph versus 155mph).  In the UK and Europe the EcoBoost the audience does not like. They feel the Mustang must be delivered with a V8 or at least a V6.

I do not have details on how the Mustang’s will be delivered to Asia at this time.
I cannot wait to I get the opportunity to drive the Mustang  500 GT Convertible or the Shelby to do a more in depth review with out staff.



BRUCE HUBBARD
BRADLEY HUBBARD
JB WELKER
AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

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