Looks like you and I have been thinking along the same lines. They didn't add an extra overdrive gear. They extra gear allowed them to be much more aggressive with the trans gearing down low, helping to leave the line harder. Its a smart move that should make the car a stoplight jack-rabbit. Based on this, I expect the 5-speed to be faster, but not by much, although it should trap slightly higher as well. For the record, I think its a smart move, provided the trans can handle some power....

 

Personally, I think most folks will see about the same ET with the M5 - perhaps a tenth or two quicker, but several more mph - perhaps 103-105.

Of course, some folks really suck with manuals, and will be MUCH slower.

 

Al, the 5-speed will hit your mark with no problem. Just stay tuned and I'll post info when it comes out. You might even see it do 13.3-13.4 @ 10x.

 

Someone please welcome the new GT into 1/4 times done 7 years ago

TONY

But you can still buy a new mustang

 

I don't get your point? Those quarter mile times were done by cars long before the F-bodies as well.

 

Yes, but those cars were not the comparably priced, Pony car competitor the Camaro was and hopefully will be again. I dont think a car of the same class and price did those numbers until the LS1 F-Body. I think thats what he was getting at.

 

I agree with that. But the stang does those times for a proportionally better value than the F-bodies did. Yes, 7 years late, but its still quite an accomplishment to get those times out of a car and at the same time still have a successful formula for the entire model lineup.

Basically, the mustang did what the F-bodies didn't (unfortunately).....the model formula is actually sustainable while achieving those power outputs/times.

 

Better value? No. All you have to do is look at the Z28 or Formula to see the best bang for the buck. Both are just a hair slower than an SS or WS6 and could be had for well under 25k.

As far as the model formula of the F-body not being sustainable, I disagree and there have been many threads devoted to the F cars demise that show otherwise.

 

Go down to your local Chevrolet dealer, and ask to see a 2005 Camaro. Answers the sustainability question better than some silly threads.

GM has enough problems selling the GTO.

Getting back on topic, Mustang is decent, glad to finally see some modern underpinnings in a 25K V8, RWD car. Curious what the other model variations will bring. Agree that 5MT will get a tenth or two, but 3-5 mph in the 1/4. Time will tell.

-B

 

And that tells you what?

 

That apparently it wasn't sustainable?

 

I haven't seen it

I'm curious as to this gear drop-off, though? That 4th gear is the same as 3rd in basically every 4 spd auto out there, and the same as 4th in most manuals. The gears look pretty well spaced for both performance and econcomy. I would still say it only has one overdrive gear, no new car cruises around at 1:1 on the highway anymore. The whole hitting 4th through the traps and losing a couple mph because of it is believable, though. Haven't the magazines done any good testing of the manual versions (which I assume have different gearing and would show otherwise)?

 

See this image? Trust me, they're shipping.

 

Yes, forgot about the Overdrive thing. Anything less than 1.00 is considered overdrive, but not 1.00 or above. So, the Mustang has ONE overdrive gear in 5-speed AUTO, and that is the 5th gear. The 4th, having a ratio of precisely 1.00 is just straight gear.

6-speed fbody had 2 overdrive gears - 5th and 6th.