2014 - 10 Best Cars + Grudge match: 2015 Mustang vs 2014 Camaro
#1
11-27-2013, 04:52 AM
2014 - 10 Best Cars + Grudge match: 2015 Mustang vs 2014 Camaro
2014 10Best Cars
These are the best cars on sale for 2014, period.
From the January 2014 Issue of Car and Driver
There are a lot of bests out there—best summer movies, best places to live, best pizza joints within two miles of your current location. Our 10Best award is not one of those. These are cars we’re talking about, people. We actually test these things.
For a full week each fall, we lock the office, turn off our phones, and engage in the most comprehensive and focused driving in the car-evaluation business.
Editors flog a dozen cars a day on the street and the track to determine everything from turn-in fidelity to the quality of a seat latch. What emerges is the fullest picture extant of the best cars on the market for under $80,000. These are the vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirited conversation. They are not always the newest or the trendiest, but they are the consistent overachievers. Cars like these don’t escape from manufacturer focus groups all that often.
Which is why this year is so special. Five all-new cars replace a few stalwarts, redefining excellence for the entire industry. And fully half of our awardees start under $25,000. The following pages tell the whole story—how we drove and how we argued over and how we finally determined the winners. We think you’ll find that most are available within a two-mile radius of your location.
“The S6 is a leather-covered cannonball.” –DANIEL PUND
“I initially feared that the 4-series might be mere marketing posturing. Is there any substance here? Answer: Yes. Oh, God, yes.” –JOHN PHILLIPS
“This thing feels nothing at all like anything else in its class—or any other class. The CTS is the ballsiest car here.” –JARED GALL
“If I tried in the C6 what I just did on a wet road in the C7, I’d be in a tree right now.” –EDDIE ALTERMAN
How the prosaic Fiesta gets turned into the winning ST.
“The Accord Sport is still a more gratifying car to heel-and-toe shift than most sports cars you could mention.” –DANIEL PUND
“Everywhere you look, selling out seems like the future. And then this happens. It’s heartwarming how great the 3 is.” –JARED GALL
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
“If every car were a Cayman, we would achieve world peace.” –JEFF SABATINI
“I like the GTI better than the Focus ST in much the same way most adults prefer the sound of vinyl to an MP3.” –EDDIE ALTERMAN
ARTICLE I • DEFINITIONS
1.1 Car: sedan, coupe, roadster, convertible, or wagon less than 64.4 inches tall.*
1.2 Base price: the current MSRP of any vehicle including any and all destination charges and gas-guzzler tax, if applicable.
ARTICLE II • PURPOSE
2.1 To determine 10 cars on a yearly basis that most excel in the areas of driving fun and execution of intended purpose and that offer an excellent value for the consumer.
ARTICLE III • ELIGIBILITY
3.1 To qualify, a car must adhere to 3.1.a, 3.1.b, 3.1.c, or 3.1.d; 3.1.e, and 3.1.f.
3.1.a Any all-new car or new sub-model in a vehicle line that previously competed in 10Best.
3.1.b Any significantly updated car, a definition that encompasses changes to its powertrain, chassis, or both. Any changes including—but not limited to—exterior colors, interior trim, restyled fascias, or nonessential equipment such as perfume atomizers do not meet 3.1.b.
3.1.c Any model unavailable for the previous running of 10Best, so long as the model does not violate 3.1.c.i or passes a vote† under 3.1.c.ii.
3.1.c.i If a vehicle is unavailable for two consecutive years, it will not get a third invitation. Exception:
3.1.c.ii A car may be granted a stay of execution if the 10Best committee chair-in-chief (Alterman) calls for a vote† and committee members (everyone else) reach a majority. This has never happened. Ever.
3.1.d Any 10Best winner from last year.
3.1.e A car must be on sale by January 31 of the 10Best year and in production, even if said car qualifies under 3.1.c or 3.1.d.
3.1.f Must have a base price of $80,000 or less.‡
*The height of the original Subaru Forester, which is the point at which a crossover swings both ways.
†The committee has 10 members, and the chair-in-chief’s vote counts as 11 votes.
‡Often referred to as the diminishing-return article, because above 80 grand you’re just paying for mink glove-box liners and perfume atomizers. Sometimes.
Continued...
These are the best cars on sale for 2014, period.
From the January 2014 Issue of Car and DriverThere are a lot of bests out there—best summer movies, best places to live, best pizza joints within two miles of your current location. Our 10Best award is not one of those. These are cars we’re talking about, people. We actually test these things.
For a full week each fall, we lock the office, turn off our phones, and engage in the most comprehensive and focused driving in the car-evaluation business.
Editors flog a dozen cars a day on the street and the track to determine everything from turn-in fidelity to the quality of a seat latch. What emerges is the fullest picture extant of the best cars on the market for under $80,000. These are the vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirited conversation. They are not always the newest or the trendiest, but they are the consistent overachievers. Cars like these don’t escape from manufacturer focus groups all that often.
Which is why this year is so special. Five all-new cars replace a few stalwarts, redefining excellence for the entire industry. And fully half of our awardees start under $25,000. The following pages tell the whole story—how we drove and how we argued over and how we finally determined the winners. We think you’ll find that most are available within a two-mile radius of your location.
“The S6 is a leather-covered cannonball.” –DANIEL PUND
“I initially feared that the 4-series might be mere marketing posturing. Is there any substance here? Answer: Yes. Oh, God, yes.” –JOHN PHILLIPS
“This thing feels nothing at all like anything else in its class—or any other class. The CTS is the ballsiest car here.” –JARED GALL
“If I tried in the C6 what I just did on a wet road in the C7, I’d be in a tree right now.” –EDDIE ALTERMAN
How the prosaic Fiesta gets turned into the winning ST.
“The Accord Sport is still a more gratifying car to heel-and-toe shift than most sports cars you could mention.” –DANIEL PUND
“Everywhere you look, selling out seems like the future. And then this happens. It’s heartwarming how great the 3 is.” –JARED GALL
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
“If every car were a Cayman, we would achieve world peace.” –JEFF SABATINI
“I like the GTI better than the Focus ST in much the same way most adults prefer the sound of vinyl to an MP3.” –EDDIE ALTERMAN
ARTICLE I • DEFINITIONS
1.1 Car: sedan, coupe, roadster, convertible, or wagon less than 64.4 inches tall.*
1.2 Base price: the current MSRP of any vehicle including any and all destination charges and gas-guzzler tax, if applicable.
ARTICLE II • PURPOSE
2.1 To determine 10 cars on a yearly basis that most excel in the areas of driving fun and execution of intended purpose and that offer an excellent value for the consumer.
ARTICLE III • ELIGIBILITY
3.1 To qualify, a car must adhere to 3.1.a, 3.1.b, 3.1.c, or 3.1.d; 3.1.e, and 3.1.f.
3.1.a Any all-new car or new sub-model in a vehicle line that previously competed in 10Best.
3.1.b Any significantly updated car, a definition that encompasses changes to its powertrain, chassis, or both. Any changes including—but not limited to—exterior colors, interior trim, restyled fascias, or nonessential equipment such as perfume atomizers do not meet 3.1.b.
3.1.c Any model unavailable for the previous running of 10Best, so long as the model does not violate 3.1.c.i or passes a vote† under 3.1.c.ii.
3.1.c.i If a vehicle is unavailable for two consecutive years, it will not get a third invitation. Exception:
3.1.c.ii A car may be granted a stay of execution if the 10Best committee chair-in-chief (Alterman) calls for a vote† and committee members (everyone else) reach a majority. This has never happened. Ever.
3.1.d Any 10Best winner from last year.
3.1.e A car must be on sale by January 31 of the 10Best year and in production, even if said car qualifies under 3.1.c or 3.1.d.
3.1.f Must have a base price of $80,000 or less.‡
*The height of the original Subaru Forester, which is the point at which a crossover swings both ways.
†The committee has 10 members, and the chair-in-chief’s vote counts as 11 votes.
‡Often referred to as the diminishing-return article, because above 80 grand you’re just paying for mink glove-box liners and perfume atomizers. Sometimes.
LOW: Mazda 3 i - 155
HIGH: Chevrolet Corvette - 460
MEDIAN: 259
MEAN: 267
BRAKING (70–0 mph, feet)
HIGH: Chevrolet Corvette - 460
MEDIAN: 259
MEAN: 267
BRAKING (70–0 mph, feet)
LONG: Volkswagen GTI - 187
SHORT: Chevrolet Corvette - 146
MEDIAN: 170
MEAN: 166
1/4-MILE TIME/SPEED
SHORT: Chevrolet Corvette - 146
MEDIAN: 170
MEAN: 166
1/4-MILE TIME/SPEED
SLOW: Mazda 3 i - 16.3 sec @ 87 mph
FAST: Chevrolet Corvette - 12.2 sec @ 117 mph
MEDIAN: 14.5 sec @ 100 mph
MEAN: 14.4 sec @ 100 mph
WEIGHT (pounds)
FAST: Chevrolet Corvette - 12.2 sec @ 117 mph
MEDIAN: 14.5 sec @ 100 mph
MEAN: 14.4 sec @ 100 mph
WEIGHT (pounds)
HIGH: Audi A6 - 4105
LOW: Ford Fiesta ST - 2745
MEDIAN: 3364
MEAN: 3346
CENTER OF GRAVITY (inches)
LOW: Ford Fiesta ST - 2745
MEDIAN: 3364
MEAN: 3346
CENTER OF GRAVITY (inches)
HIGH: Ford Fiesta ST - 23.0
LOW: Chevrolet Corvette - 17.5
MEDIAN: 21.8
MEAN: 21.1
SKIDPAD (g)
LOW: Chevrolet Corvette - 17.5
MEDIAN: 21.8
MEAN: 21.1
SKIDPAD (g)
LOW: Mazda 3 i - 0.82
HIGH: Chevrolet Corvette - 1.08
MEDIAN: 0.87
HIGH: Chevrolet Corvette - 1.08
MEDIAN: 0.87
Continued...
Last edited by Space; 02-22-2014 at 09:05 AM.
#3
11-27-2013, 05:03 AM
Leaked! This is Almost Definitely the 2015 Ford Mustang: Exclusive 360º View and Full Details!
All the dirt on the 2015 Mustang that Ford doesn't want you to know. And yes, it still has those nifty sequential turn signals.
From the December 2013 Issue of Car and Driver
In a nation obsessed with the right now, few things have held up over the past 50 years as well as the Ford Mustang. The first pony car debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and instantly became a tent pole of Americana. Before the model officially turns 50 on April 17, 2014, Ford will celebrate its lasting contribution to the postwar-boom culture with a brand-new, much anticipated Mustang.
But the times, they are a changin’ (yep, a song also released in 1964). Ford’s American icon continues to gain offshore admirers. The Blue Oval plans to sell the next Mustang globally, and to appease overseas buyers, the car will need to be lighter and more efficient. But that’s not to say that traditional fans will be disappointed.
BODYWORK
While the new Mustang will keep the somewhat hefty proportions of its predecessor, exterior dimensions will shrink ever so slightly. It will also cease to have stand-alone styling within Ford’s lineup. A number of design cues will evoke the familial design language pioneered by the Fusion, and the Mustang’s new front end clearly has been influenced by the brand’s Evos concept from the 2011 Frankfurt show.
The car’s headlight motif joins the rest of the Ford family, but the upright grille remains Mustang-esque. It makes subtle use of the brand’s current Aston Martin-via-Dearborn mouth while still maintaining an appearance that’s unflinchingly pony car. The design process has taken longer than the folks at Ford would’ve hoped, we’re told, after the initial proposal was rejected for not being Mustang enough. We imagine that it was a little too Euro-soft, a little too much like the Evos.
CARRY-OVER POWERTRAINS
At launch, the Mustang will be available with the same engine options offered by the current Mustang: a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 and the “Coyote” 5.0-liter V-8, each with the same power ratings as the Mustangs on showroom floors today (305 and 420 horsepower, respectively). Transmissions, too, will carry over at the outset, with shoppers given a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. That will change in the two to three years after launch, when the 10-speed auto being jointly developed with GM will replace the six-speed slushbox.
However, the Mustang’s 2015 model year will be a long one—as was 1965—and thus, Ford will offer powertrain upgrades in the months after its launch. Updates to the V-6 will be minimal, but we understand that the GT-badged “five-oh” will jump to 500 horsepower.
TURBO-FOUR CAFE SPECIAL
Sometime after the new Mustang reaches dealer lots, we will begin to see interesting underhood options. With European and federal fuel-economy standards in mind, Ford will introduce the first turbocharged four-cylinder Mustang since the 1986 SVO model. And the engine will be the same size, 2.3 liters, as that car’s four-banger. It’ll generate 310 horsepower with direct injection, and it will be marketed as an uplevel alternative to the base six. Its premium should be justified not only by its expected mileage gain but also by its high, flat torque curve.
All the dirt on the 2015 Mustang that Ford doesn't want you to know. And yes, it still has those nifty sequential turn signals.
- OCTOBER 2013
- BY MULTIPLE AUTHORS
- MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
- ILLUSTRATION BY NICK KALOTERAKIS
From the December 2013 Issue of Car and DriverIn a nation obsessed with the right now, few things have held up over the past 50 years as well as the Ford Mustang. The first pony car debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and instantly became a tent pole of Americana. Before the model officially turns 50 on April 17, 2014, Ford will celebrate its lasting contribution to the postwar-boom culture with a brand-new, much anticipated Mustang.
But the times, they are a changin’ (yep, a song also released in 1964). Ford’s American icon continues to gain offshore admirers. The Blue Oval plans to sell the next Mustang globally, and to appease overseas buyers, the car will need to be lighter and more efficient. But that’s not to say that traditional fans will be disappointed.
BODYWORKWhile the new Mustang will keep the somewhat hefty proportions of its predecessor, exterior dimensions will shrink ever so slightly. It will also cease to have stand-alone styling within Ford’s lineup. A number of design cues will evoke the familial design language pioneered by the Fusion, and the Mustang’s new front end clearly has been influenced by the brand’s Evos concept from the 2011 Frankfurt show.
The car’s headlight motif joins the rest of the Ford family, but the upright grille remains Mustang-esque. It makes subtle use of the brand’s current Aston Martin-via-Dearborn mouth while still maintaining an appearance that’s unflinchingly pony car. The design process has taken longer than the folks at Ford would’ve hoped, we’re told, after the initial proposal was rejected for not being Mustang enough. We imagine that it was a little too Euro-soft, a little too much like the Evos.
In the final shape, a pair of large vents resides on the front of the hood, creating the appearance of flared mustang nostrils that hint at the power lurking beneath. The rear window features a sort of widow’s peak extending from the roof, à la the SRT Viper, and the side windows feature a more cohesive shape—as opposed to the quarter-windows separated by fat B-pillars on the current car—with an upward kink that resembles the new Corvette’s treatment.
INTERIOR
Retro is not completely dead in the new cockpit, either. Two large, tubular gauges will continue to sit in front of the driver as they do today, and circular air vents will reside atop the center stack, flanked by a rectangular duct at each end. The upper portion of the dashboard will be canted forward and have dual cowls, another cue from the Mustang museum.
The center stack will offer either traditional stereo and HVAC controls or the MyFord Touch do-everything touch screen, available for the first time in a Mustang. After taking a drubbing in customer-satisfaction surveys, Ford is emphasizing the evolution of the MyFord Touch interface. The next-gen system debuts in the Mustang, offering redundant buttons and switchgear for those who prefer to handle real controls instead of virtual ones. The changeable ambient lighting continues, but it will spread beyond the dials, cup holders, and speakers to other points within the cabin, something also found in European luxury cars like the new S-class.
INTERIORRetro is not completely dead in the new cockpit, either. Two large, tubular gauges will continue to sit in front of the driver as they do today, and circular air vents will reside atop the center stack, flanked by a rectangular duct at each end. The upper portion of the dashboard will be canted forward and have dual cowls, another cue from the Mustang museum.
The center stack will offer either traditional stereo and HVAC controls or the MyFord Touch do-everything touch screen, available for the first time in a Mustang. After taking a drubbing in customer-satisfaction surveys, Ford is emphasizing the evolution of the MyFord Touch interface. The next-gen system debuts in the Mustang, offering redundant buttons and switchgear for those who prefer to handle real controls instead of virtual ones. The changeable ambient lighting continues, but it will spread beyond the dials, cup holders, and speakers to other points within the cabin, something also found in European luxury cars like the new S-class.
CARRY-OVER POWERTRAINSAt launch, the Mustang will be available with the same engine options offered by the current Mustang: a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 and the “Coyote” 5.0-liter V-8, each with the same power ratings as the Mustangs on showroom floors today (305 and 420 horsepower, respectively). Transmissions, too, will carry over at the outset, with shoppers given a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. That will change in the two to three years after launch, when the 10-speed auto being jointly developed with GM will replace the six-speed slushbox.
However, the Mustang’s 2015 model year will be a long one—as was 1965—and thus, Ford will offer powertrain upgrades in the months after its launch. Updates to the V-6 will be minimal, but we understand that the GT-badged “five-oh” will jump to 500 horsepower.
TURBO-FOUR CAFE SPECIALSometime after the new Mustang reaches dealer lots, we will begin to see interesting underhood options. With European and federal fuel-economy standards in mind, Ford will introduce the first turbocharged four-cylinder Mustang since the 1986 SVO model. And the engine will be the same size, 2.3 liters, as that car’s four-banger. It’ll generate 310 horsepower with direct injection, and it will be marketed as an uplevel alternative to the base six. Its premium should be justified not only by its expected mileage gain but also by its high, flat torque curve.
Ford is also considering offering the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 found in the Taurus SHO. Tuned to churn out 400 horsepower (up from the 365 it makes in the SHO), this engine could potentially replace the 3.7-liter V-6 and serve as a natural steppingstone between the turbo four and the Coyote. The EcoBoost V-6 is unlikely to appear in the Mustang’s engine bay before the 2017 model year.
A STABLE FULL OF WILD HORSES
Ford has many plans for ultra-high-performance Mustangs. The first will be a successor to the Shelby-branded GT500, and the company will continue to offer Ford’s “Trinity” supercharged 5.8-liter V-8 making 662 horses. Past the new-gen Shelby GT500, Ford has additional powertrain options for two more hi-po nameplates.
The first is a twin-turbocharged V-8, code-named “Voodoo,” which displaces between 5.0 and 5.5 liters and, most intriguingly, has a “flat-plane” or 180-degree crankshaft, as Ferrari has used in its V-8s since 1973. This configuration, also found in the late Lotus Esprit V-8, is akin to connecting two four-cylinder banks to a common crankshaft. Flat cranks theoretically improve power, throttle response, and the soundtrack at the expense of greater vibration. This EcoBoost V-8 will produce between 550 and 600 horses. It will power a Shelby GT350–branded model that eventually will take over from the GT500, as Ford is desperate to discontinue that car’s costly and thirsty Trinity.
A STABLE FULL OF WILD HORSESFord has many plans for ultra-high-performance Mustangs. The first will be a successor to the Shelby-branded GT500, and the company will continue to offer Ford’s “Trinity” supercharged 5.8-liter V-8 making 662 horses. Past the new-gen Shelby GT500, Ford has additional powertrain options for two more hi-po nameplates.
The first is a twin-turbocharged V-8, code-named “Voodoo,” which displaces between 5.0 and 5.5 liters and, most intriguingly, has a “flat-plane” or 180-degree crankshaft, as Ferrari has used in its V-8s since 1973. This configuration, also found in the late Lotus Esprit V-8, is akin to connecting two four-cylinder banks to a common crankshaft. Flat cranks theoretically improve power, throttle response, and the soundtrack at the expense of greater vibration. This EcoBoost V-8 will produce between 550 and 600 horses. It will power a Shelby GT350–branded model that eventually will take over from the GT500, as Ford is desperate to discontinue that car’s costly and thirsty Trinity.
The last high-performance Mustang will be a successor to the Boss 302. What will power it is still not finalized. If all goes according to plan, Ford would like to use a naturally aspirated version of the Voodoo engine. However, initial testing has not yielded the desired results in Dearborn, and it’s possible that a hotted-up version of the 5.0 Coyote could be used—as was the case in the previous Boss.
CHASSIS
The introduction of an independent rear suspension, not seen in Mustangdom outside of the 1999–2004 SVT Cobra, will improve handling, ride comfort, and packaging. This should address some key Mustang criticisms and lend it credibility when taking on its European contemporaries in markets where the pony-car genre isn’t sustained by nostalgia and cheap fuel, as it is here. A new platform—code-named “S550”—will underpin this new Mustang, and through that architecture, Ford is expecting to shed some 200 pounds from the current car’s roughly 3500-pound curb weight. View Photo Gallery
CHASSISThe introduction of an independent rear suspension, not seen in Mustangdom outside of the 1999–2004 SVT Cobra, will improve handling, ride comfort, and packaging. This should address some key Mustang criticisms and lend it credibility when taking on its European contemporaries in markets where the pony-car genre isn’t sustained by nostalgia and cheap fuel, as it is here. A new platform—code-named “S550”—will underpin this new Mustang, and through that architecture, Ford is expecting to shed some 200 pounds from the current car’s roughly 3500-pound curb weight. View Photo Gallery
Last edited by Space; 11-27-2013 at 05:05 AM.
#4
11-27-2013, 05:13 AM
2014 Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang
INSTRUMENTED TESTarrow2014 Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang
To Roush or to Shelby, that is the question.
- OCTOBER 2013
- BY MIKE SUTTON
- PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARC URBANO
From the November 2013 Issue of Car and DriverTESTED
It’s hard to do anything but love the basic goodness of the Ford Mustang. Its brutally simple recipe ensures not only lots of old-fashioned fun behind the wheel, but also an enormous aftermarket that can, for a price, one-up the factory’s effort with greater style and performance. But with today’s stock Mustangs being so well sorted, adding to the formula doesn’t necessarily improve the outcome.
Roush Performance in Plymouth Township, Michigan, founded by racing icon Jack Roush, currently of NASCAR’sRoush Fenway Racing, has been tuning fast Fords since 1995. Roush has the engineering talent to develop a seemingly formidable street package, such as promised by this $65,980 Stage 3 Mustang based on the 10Best-winning GT model.
Here is the most extreme turnkey pony car Roush offers through select Ford dealers, complete with a three-year/36,000-mile powertrain warranty. It includes the cosmetic and suspension mods of Roush’s lesser Stage 1 ($4500) and Stage 2 ($7950) kits, along with more power under the hood. The centerpiece of the $17,000 Stage 3 upgrade is an Eaton TVS supercharger that huffs eight psi of boost into the otherwise stock 5.0-liter V-8. The company says that’s enough to increase horsepower from 420 to a tire-shredding 575, with the bulk of the gain found near the engine’s 6750-rpm redline. Despite claimed torque also rising from 390 pound-feet to 505, actual forward thrust feels surprisingly similar to our long-term 2013 Mustang GT’s with a six-speed manual, Track package, and 3.73:1 axle ratio.
Here is the most extreme turnkey pony car Roush offers through select Ford dealers, complete with a three-year/36,000-mile powertrain warranty. It includes the cosmetic and suspension mods of Roush’s lesser Stage 1 ($4500) and Stage 2 ($7950) kits, along with more power under the hood. The centerpiece of the $17,000 Stage 3 upgrade is an Eaton TVS supercharger that huffs eight psi of boost into the otherwise stock 5.0-liter V-8. The company says that’s enough to increase horsepower from 420 to a tire-shredding 575, with the bulk of the gain found near the engine’s 6750-rpm redline. Despite claimed torque also rising from 390 pound-feet to 505, actual forward thrust feels surprisingly similar to our long-term 2013 Mustang GT’s with a six-speed manual, Track package, and 3.73:1 axle ratio.
About the only thing not Roush-branded here is the rubber. And you better like the name because you’ll pay big money for it.
The test track confirmed our suspicions, as the 126-pound-heavier Roush could only tie the normal car’s 4.5-second sprint to 60 mph. It did beat, by a tenth and 3 mph, the stocker in the quarter-mile, running a 12.9 at 114 mph. Both figures slightly trail our best from the dearly departed 444-hp Boss 302 and are a full second behind the 662-hp Shelby GT500’s. Handling and braking data, as well as overall feel, are also similar to the GT’s, despite the Stage 3’s lower and firmer suspension system (new shocks and springs, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, and a rear axle upper-control link); a $2350 performance brake option; and $1115 20-inch wheels shod with 275/35R-20 Cooper Zeon RS3-S rubber. When confronted with our less-than-stellar results, Roush confirmed that the blown 5.0’s power levels were accurate, despite our lingering reservations.
So what else do you get with the Stage 3 and our car’s additional $10,890 in Roush options? For starters, you get 67 badges, stickers, and ornaments with the word “Roush” or the company’s signature “R” on them. You also get aggressive body extensions, a Boss 302–style X-brace where the rear seats used to be ($1975), and a barrel-chested exhaust system ($525) that rattles eardrums like machine-gun fire in a drainage pipe. Roush does not do stealth.
Also included in our test car was an additional $3415 in special upholstery and Roush-themed interior upgrades, which curiously excluded one of the GT’s best features: the optional $1595 Recaro front seats. Overall comfort from the less-supportive chairs was still good and was made better by a well-controlled ride, light clutch effort, and a slick manual shifter.
The Roush is more adolescent and special than the GT without being punishing, and the build quality and warranty coverage are genuine assets. To say the Roush reminds us of the Boss 302 is the greatest compliment we can give it, even if the latter feels more refined and hums a sweeter melody through its factory side pipes.
If you like elements of the Roush treatment but don’t see the value in the full Monty depicted here, most of the Stage 3’s components are available separately for both coupe and convertible models with manual or automatic gearboxes, warranty included. Roush will even sell you additional engine packages good for up to 675 horsepower. But if you’re looking for a supercharged pony car with a famous racer’s name on it, you might first consider the $55,595 Shelby and the full backing of Ford’s engineers. View Photo Gallery
PHOTOS (35)So what else do you get with the Stage 3 and our car’s additional $10,890 in Roush options? For starters, you get 67 badges, stickers, and ornaments with the word “Roush” or the company’s signature “R” on them. You also get aggressive body extensions, a Boss 302–style X-brace where the rear seats used to be ($1975), and a barrel-chested exhaust system ($525) that rattles eardrums like machine-gun fire in a drainage pipe. Roush does not do stealth.
Also included in our test car was an additional $3415 in special upholstery and Roush-themed interior upgrades, which curiously excluded one of the GT’s best features: the optional $1595 Recaro front seats. Overall comfort from the less-supportive chairs was still good and was made better by a well-controlled ride, light clutch effort, and a slick manual shifter.
The Roush is more adolescent and special than the GT without being punishing, and the build quality and warranty coverage are genuine assets. To say the Roush reminds us of the Boss 302 is the greatest compliment we can give it, even if the latter feels more refined and hums a sweeter melody through its factory side pipes.
If you like elements of the Roush treatment but don’t see the value in the full Monty depicted here, most of the Stage 3’s components are available separately for both coupe and convertible models with manual or automatic gearboxes, warranty included. Roush will even sell you additional engine packages good for up to 675 horsepower. But if you’re looking for a supercharged pony car with a famous racer’s name on it, you might first consider the $55,595 Shelby and the full backing of Ford’s engineers. View Photo Gallery
Specifications >
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED: $65,980 (base price*: $54,455)
*Base price includes performance-enhancing options.
ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 302 cu in, 4951 cc
Power (mfr's claim): 575 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque (mfr's claim): 505 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 73.9 in Height: 54.8 in
Curb weight: 3776 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.2 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 19.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 114 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 147 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 169 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 14/22 mpg
C/D observed: 14 mpg
PRICE AS TESTED: $65,980 (base price*: $54,455)
*Base price includes performance-enhancing options.
ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 302 cu in, 4951 cc
Power (mfr's claim): 575 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque (mfr's claim): 505 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 73.9 in Height: 54.8 in
Curb weight: 3776 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.2 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 19.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 114 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 147 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 169 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 14/22 mpg
C/D observed: 14 mpg
#5
11-27-2013, 05:17 AM
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#6
11-27-2013, 05:30 AM
Do U like it ? Do you want one ? or ________?
Quick Drive: 624-HP 2014 Shelby Mustang GT Drops at L.A. Auto Show
Exhaust note is superb. How about the rest of it?
By Christian Seabaugh | Photos By Robert Guio | November 21, 2013 |
Its namesake and founder may have passed away but Shelby is still going strong at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Despite the fact that a new Mustang is about two weeks away, Shelby today unveiled the 2014 Shelby GT and Shelby GT/SC in L.A. Based on the current-generation
Ford
Mustang GT, we lucked out and got a chance to drive the top-spec 624-hp version a week before its debut.While those sick of Shelby's shtick will find nothing to be excited about in the 2014 Shelby GT and GT/SC, it is a pretty cool package. Paying homage to the 2007 Ford Shelby GT, the new Shelby GT takes a standard 2011-2014 Mustang GT, and upgrades it to make it look, sound, and drive better. Visually, the Shelby GT gets a unique front bumper complete with a billet grille, a Shelby-designed fiberglass hood, carbon-look hood louvers, and stripes. The interior also gets outfitted with Katzkin leather, and the Shelby-required number plaque with Carroll Shelby's signature. Functional upgrades on the Shelby GT include a Ford Racing suspension, upgraded brakes, a short-throw shifter, Shelby wheels, a cold air intake, and a Borla exhaust, among a few other things. With the upgrades, Shelby says the GT's 5.0-liter V-8 makes 430-hp, up 10-hp from
stock
. The Shelby GT package costs $14,995 on top of the 2014 Mustang GT's $30,900 base price.
If you've got a bit more dough, though, you can get much more power
Read more: 2014 Shelby Mustang GT Quick Drive
Last edited by Space; 11-27-2013 at 07:13 AM.
#8
11-27-2013, 07:34 AM
^ Thanks `Tadd, I agree 4$ure<
Chevy reveals Corvette, Camaro, SS for SEMA
Muscle cars join hot hatches, pickups
Chevy
This SEMA Stingray was inspired by "Gran Turismo 6."
By: Jake Lingeman on 11/04/2013
Related Articles
Chevy saved its best SEMA reveals for Monday. The Bowtie brand unveiled SS sedan, Corvette and Camaro concepts for the yearly aftermarket industry show. Last week the company showed its hopped-up four bangers and front-wheel drive cars.
The Jeff Gordon Chevy SS sedan will show off at SEMA.
NASCAR great Jeff Gordon gave his input for the SS sedan concept. It wears a coat of satin red paint with 20-inch wheels, carbon fiber spoiler and a custom grille. The Gordon SS concept also gets high-performance brakes and a Borla exhaust. Under the hood is the 415-hp, 415-lb-ft of torque 6.2-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission.
A special-edition Corvette Stingray will make an appearance wearing “Gran Turismo” livery, commemorating the game's 15th anniversary. It features a custom blue paint scheme with graphics, yellow-tinted headlights, carbon fiber rear wing, carbon fiber hood, ground effects kit, custom exhaust tips, tow hooks, custom front grille, custom sport seats, racing harnesses and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Chevy's 6.2-liter LT1 will power the Vette, making 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Chevy Corvette Stingray Atlantic concept for SEMA
Also from the Stingray stable comes the Convertible Atlantic concept. One part of a pair of coastal-themed concepts, the Atlantic comes in Blade Silver, which Chevy says is meant to call to mind a private jet. The front splitter, rocker extensions and lower diffuser are covered in Carbon Flash Metallic.
Accessories include chrome five-spoke wheels, molded splash guards, wheel center caps with Stingray script, custom luggage and an embroidered center armrest with the Stingray logo. The LT1 provides power and it's paired to a six-speed automatic.
Chevy Corvette Stingray Pacific concept for SEMA
As a counterpoint to the Atlantic concept, Chevy is also revealing the Pacific concept, inspired by West Coast culture (?—ED.). The Torch red Corvette gets the Z51 package, meaning a dry-sump oiling system, enhanced cooling and braking systems and an electronic limited-slip differential in the rear. The concept gets a number of accessories, including 20-inch, satin black wheels.
The Garage Camaro concept started life as an SS but has a few choice parts from the ZL1 and Z/28 Camaros including the brakes and short-throw shifter, shorty exhaust headers, front ride and handling links, rear upper control arms, stabilizer bars, helical differential, brake ducts and the fantastic DSSV (spool valve) dampers, which are being evaluated for a future a la carte release.
Three more Camaros will be displayed alongside the rest of Chevy's muscle. The V6 and V8 Chevy Performance Camaros will both get a handful of upgrades from the Chevy Performance catalog, while the Camaro Spring Special Edition will be offered for sale based on uplevel 2LT and SS trims.
Chevy's muscle car selection will join its concept pickup trucks and hot hatches in Las Vegas
Chevy This SEMA Stingray was inspired by "Gran Turismo 6."
By: Jake Lingeman on 11/04/2013
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- Chevy invites Transformers to SEMA show preview
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- Volkswagen debuts tuned Jettas for SEMA show
- American Expedition Vehicles to debut off-road Ram Concept at SEMA
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- Audi and VW tuner ABT Sportsline to show Audi AS6 sedan at SEMA
Chevy saved its best SEMA reveals for Monday. The Bowtie brand unveiled SS sedan, Corvette and Camaro concepts for the yearly aftermarket industry show. Last week the company showed its hopped-up four bangers and front-wheel drive cars.
The Jeff Gordon Chevy SS sedan will show off at SEMA.
NASCAR great Jeff Gordon gave his input for the SS sedan concept. It wears a coat of satin red paint with 20-inch wheels, carbon fiber spoiler and a custom grille. The Gordon SS concept also gets high-performance brakes and a Borla exhaust. Under the hood is the 415-hp, 415-lb-ft of torque 6.2-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic transmission.
A special-edition Corvette Stingray will make an appearance wearing “Gran Turismo” livery, commemorating the game's 15th anniversary. It features a custom blue paint scheme with graphics, yellow-tinted headlights, carbon fiber rear wing, carbon fiber hood, ground effects kit, custom exhaust tips, tow hooks, custom front grille, custom sport seats, racing harnesses and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Chevy's 6.2-liter LT1 will power the Vette, making 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Chevy Corvette Stingray Atlantic concept for SEMA
Also from the Stingray stable comes the Convertible Atlantic concept. One part of a pair of coastal-themed concepts, the Atlantic comes in Blade Silver, which Chevy says is meant to call to mind a private jet. The front splitter, rocker extensions and lower diffuser are covered in Carbon Flash Metallic.
Accessories include chrome five-spoke wheels, molded splash guards, wheel center caps with Stingray script, custom luggage and an embroidered center armrest with the Stingray logo. The LT1 provides power and it's paired to a six-speed automatic.
Chevy Corvette Stingray Pacific concept for SEMA
As a counterpoint to the Atlantic concept, Chevy is also revealing the Pacific concept, inspired by West Coast culture (?—ED.). The Torch red Corvette gets the Z51 package, meaning a dry-sump oiling system, enhanced cooling and braking systems and an electronic limited-slip differential in the rear. The concept gets a number of accessories, including 20-inch, satin black wheels.
The Garage Camaro concept started life as an SS but has a few choice parts from the ZL1 and Z/28 Camaros including the brakes and short-throw shifter, shorty exhaust headers, front ride and handling links, rear upper control arms, stabilizer bars, helical differential, brake ducts and the fantastic DSSV (spool valve) dampers, which are being evaluated for a future a la carte release.
Three more Camaros will be displayed alongside the rest of Chevy's muscle. The V6 and V8 Chevy Performance Camaros will both get a handful of upgrades from the Chevy Performance catalog, while the Camaro Spring Special Edition will be offered for sale based on uplevel 2LT and SS trims.
Chevy's muscle car selection will join its concept pickup trucks and hot hatches in Las Vegas
#9
11-30-2013, 06:18 AM
"Wish List"
Dear `Santa,
Please add the below to my Xmas list...Thank You!
I know, I email you everyday, but I really believe in you...
I hope that you can find me this year & that your GPS is working.
Please add the below to my Xmas list...Thank You!
I know, I email you everyday, but I really believe in you...
I hope that you can find me this year & that your GPS is working.
Free Vid's > EnJoy