MotorMouths

Although excellent for showing off to friends and attending track days, it will be tough to live with the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 on a daily basis because of ride quality and gas costs.

Cut off Samson’s locks, he loses his strength. Cut off the Mustang’s roof, it loses its sharp edge. That likely doesn’t matter to convertible buyers. But we think the ragtop gives up too much of the Mustang’s sportiness.

The 2011 Ford Mustang GT with automatic is perfectly happy to swallow interstate miles or drag race tarmac, but when the road turns twisty, it’s a dud thanks to the recalcitrant transmission.

For all its features and improvements, the 2011 V6 was still by far the most frustrating vehicle I’ve ever tested. Our Mustang sported Ford’s new 6-speed automatic transmission. Only there’s nothing “sport” about it.

The Mustang’s evolution has been slow. And by hewing closely to the original concept of the car, it has retained its character remarkably well. But for the first time, the Mustang has engines better than the rest of the car.

Ford’s 2011 Mustang V6 doesn’t quite offer the performance of last year’s GT, but it sure does come close. Boasting a lower cost of entry and more reasonable insurance than the GT, it will leave only the most hardened V8 fan unimpressed.

The 2011 Ford Mustang is a combination of the best of 2010 GT matched with 97 more horses under the hood, a tighter suspension, and slightly better fuel economy.

The 2011 Mustang delivers quicker acceleration, sharper handling, and a better driving character, yet its best quality may be that it’s an agitator. By taking such a direct shot at the Camaro, Ford has forced Chevrolet to return fire.

Calling the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 a (relative) lightweight is no insult, because it’s now a true heavyweight in the midst of its track-day peers.

With its new V6, the 2011 Mustang is distinctly more agile and precise, not to mention more powerful than its predecessors.

The Mustang delivered on the promise of its slinky lines, with the new V-6 providing plenty of giddy-up. Sound effects were sadly lacking, unfortunately. The Mustang could use some acoustic enhancement to go with its higher horsepower.

Last year, the Ford Mustang got a facelift. For 2011, it gets heart. Now the latest incarnation of the original pony car is complete with a more vigorous V6, and the return of the 5-liter V8. So watch out Camaro, it’s war