<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/driving/" rel="tag">First Drive</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/lead1mustanggtfd2011.jpg" /><br />
</a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
The reborn <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/camaro">2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS</a> is the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/review-2010-ford-mustang-gt/">2010 Ford Mustang GT's</a> most obvious competitor (obviously). While the Camaro is certainly a head turner, it's just not that great of an all around performance car. However, despite the 2010 Mustang GT coming out on top in many comparisons against its crosstown rival, one fact is undeniable: When it comes to power, the Camaro SS kicked the Mustang GT's butt up and down the block. Across the drag strip, too. The 6.2-liter LS3-equipped SS (manual only, as automatic Camaros get the weaker L99 motor) produces a screaming 426 horsepower and 420 rumbling pound-feet of torque, enough mojo to embarrass the 2010 Mustang GT's relatively wimpy 4.6-liter V8 with its 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. True, the Mustang handled better, rode better, had a <em>much</em> better interior and cost less, but at the end of the day we're talking muscle cars. Gumption matters. Chevy was king. Ford had to act.<br />
<br />
And act it did. Meet the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, or as everyone is already calling it, the 5.0. That's right, Ford is offering enthusiasts an honest to goodness 5.0-liter V8 (302 cubic inches, baby! Check out our <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/deep-dive-fords-all-new-5-0-v8/">Deep Dive</a> for all the technical mumbo jumbo) in the 2011 Mustang GT. As we're sure you know by now, thanks to some fancy breathing, the all new small-block produces 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. That's less than the Camaro, sure, but remember that the Mustang is lighter than the Chevy by a good 300 pounds. Besides, it's looking like Ford has decided to <a href="http://wot.motortrend.com/6659607/auto-news/mustang-power-we-dyno-the-2011-ford-mustang-50-v-8-and-37-v-6/index.html">underrate the 5.0's output</a> by about 30 ponies for who knows what reason. Meaning that while Ford might be using invisible ink, the Mustang's got the Camaro beat on paper. But what about in the real world? Make the jump to find out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/">First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/02mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/03mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/04mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/05mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Photos by <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotography.com/">Drew Phillips</a> / </small></strong></em><em><strong><small>Copyright (C)2010</small></strong></em><em><strong><small> Weblogs, Inc.</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT changes the game</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/">First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT changes the game</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:05:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19417631/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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</a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
The reborn <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/camaro">2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS</a> is the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/review-2010-ford-mustang-gt/">2010 Ford Mustang GT's</a> most obvious competitor (obviously). While the Camaro is certainly a head turner, it's just not that great of an all around performance car. However, despite the 2010 Mustang GT coming out on top in many comparisons against its crosstown rival, one fact is undeniable: When it comes to power, the Camaro SS kicked the Mustang GT's butt up and down the block. Across the drag strip, too. The 6.2-liter LS3-equipped SS (manual only, as automatic Camaros get the weaker L99 motor) produces a screaming 426 horsepower and 420 rumbling pound-feet of torque, enough mojo to embarrass the 2010 Mustang GT's relatively wimpy 4.6-liter V8 with its 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. True, the Mustang handled better, rode better, had a <em>much</em> better interior and cost less, but at the end of the day we're talking muscle cars. Gumption matters. Chevy was king. Ford had to act.<br />
<br />
And act it did. Meet the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, or as everyone is already calling it, the 5.0. That's right, Ford is offering enthusiasts an honest to goodness 5.0-liter V8 (302 cubic inches, baby! Check out our <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/deep-dive-fords-all-new-5-0-v8/">Deep Dive</a> for all the technical mumbo jumbo) in the 2011 Mustang GT. As we're sure you know by now, thanks to some fancy breathing, the all new small-block produces 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. That's less than the Camaro, sure, but remember that the Mustang is lighter than the Chevy by a good 300 pounds. Besides, it's looking like Ford has decided to <a href="http://wot.motortrend.com/6659607/auto-news/mustang-power-we-dyno-the-2011-ford-mustang-50-v-8-and-37-v-6/index.html">underrate the 5.0's output</a> by about 30 ponies for who knows what reason. Meaning that while Ford might be using invisible ink, the Mustang's got the Camaro beat on paper. But what about in the real world? Make the jump to find out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/">First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/02mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/03mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/04mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/05mustanggtfd2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Photos by <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotography.com/">Drew Phillips</a> / </small></strong></em><em><strong><small>Copyright (C)2010</small></strong></em><em><strong><small> Weblogs, Inc.</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT changes the game</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/">First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT changes the game</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:05:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19417631/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/2011-ford-mustang-gt-first-drive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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