America's icon returns with a gallop

As for the GT’s V8, Ford claims that the 2005 Ford Mustang engine (aluminum) weighs 75 pounds less than the 2004 engine. That’s important, because the new Mustang is a heavy critter, weighing in at 3,483 lbs, around 200 lbs. or so heavier than the previous version. The metal diet also includes the long, sloping hood: it’s aluminum, perhaps to provide weight savings. Stopping all that weight are standard four-wheel disc brakes than have, according to Ford, the biggest rotors and stiffest calipers ever fitted to a mainstream Mustang. The GT gets 12.4-inch ventilated front brake discs on GT models, and V-6 Mustangs get 11.4-inch ventilated rotors. There’s also an optional four-channel anti-lock braking system.

But really, stopping is just so boring when you can fly with your mane in the wind. The tough thing is to find a car that’s comparable both in performance, body style and price. Consider the 2004 Pontiac GTO -- by way of comparison, the 2005 Mustang GT is lighter than the 2004 Pontiac GTO, and costs around $5,000 less – and though you do get 40 more horsepower from a 5.7 liter V8 with the GTO, and the GTO has an independent rear suspension -- it would still be very interesting to cross-shop the two. The 2005 GTO is much more robust beast, however -- with a horsepower rating up to 400. In and of itself, however, Ford’s claim that the new Mustangs are better performing and more efficient is easy to agree with after a day behind the wheel of the new GT model and a week spent driving the old version.