2013 Ford Mustang GT Premium

This 2013 Mustang GT Premium has just emerged from a day at the spa; rejuvenated and looking good.  New this year are restyled front and rear fascias, a more aggressive grille and splitter, body-color rocker panels, standard HID headlamps with signature LED bars, and LED taillamps.  And even though the 5.0 has been back on the menu for a few years now, horsepower has been boosted to 420 while its 390 pound feet of torque remain the same.

This car begins life at about $35,000 with the Premium treatment and my tester adds a package that would have been great if it had not been December in upstate New York; and that’s the Brembo Brake Package.  Beyond the added stopping power, this group bundles Pirelli P Zero Max Performance tires not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.  All 3 of which reared their ugly heads this week.  So most of my driving centered on the challenge of finding traction and on the rare occasion when that occurred, the fog arrived.  I think the Mustang felt as frustrated as I did, spinning its tires at almost every touch of the throttle.  So to state the obvious, if you live in a cold weather state this car, even fitted with snows, is probably not your best year-round driving choice.  And when it’s time to change these 19” P Zeros, they retail at $350 and up per tire.

With its retro design cues, heritage underpinnings and brawny V8, you feel like you’re driving a piece of automotive Americana.  The Mustang GT is so intertwined with our country’s nostalgia for classic muscle cars that its lack of finesse is an appreciated part of its DNA.  The combination of tire shredding power, road conditions with elusive grip and a solid rear axle quickly develops a healthy respect from the driver.  The limited slip helps some but the rear end breaks loose with ease and in general feels eerily disconnected from the rest of the car.  Whether you call it rowdy fun or unrefined one thing is for sure; you put this Mustang in the hands of an inexperienced driver and there will be trouble.  A couple of items everyone can embrace are the sweet shifting, short-throw 6-speed manual and a clutch pedal that won’t leave you guessing about its engagement point.  The new hill start assist feature also makes life just a little easier.  Ride quality and cabin comfort are perfectly suited for everyday use. Aiding those qualities is electric power steering with 3 unique driver selectable settings. And the very cool track apps let you record vitals, including this awesome countdown start feature.  When the tarmac is warm and dry, the GT can put down a 0-to-60mph time in the mid 4s.  Gas mileage on recommended premium but OK with regular, is 15mpg city/26mpg highway.

The interior continues the retro imagery, though largely not in the same flattering way.  The electronics are very good.  No MyFord Touch but this unit is packed with features and is easy to use while the driver info display contains numerous customization options for ambient lighting and much more.  The font on the analog gauges makes them difficult to read and other than these optional, highly bolstered, leather Recaro seats the materials used in the interior are not befitting those of a car carrying a sticker price of $42,210.  As Ford mulls over the evolution of the next-gen Mustang due in 2014, this GT continues to carry the Pony Car torch in the most authentic of ways.