2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium (California Special) $12,990

The revitalized 2011 Ford Mustang looks to be the best pony car on the market. ehicle overview Frankly, this isn't the Ford we used to know. With the venerable Mustang coming off a host of big changes just last year, including updated styling, a higher-quality interior and new features, we would have thought nothing would change for the 2011 Mustang. Old Ford would have declared this good enough and kicked back on the porch with a beer in hand. But today's Ford, the one that's been building impressive cars like the Flex and Fusion, has reloaded yet again, and for 2011 it's targeted the 2010 'Stang's primary weakness: powertrains. We'll start with the V6. No longer is it a woefully underachieving lump that hadn't changed much since the 1990s. The 2011 Ford Mustang's new 3.7-liter V6 now has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. It's enough to crank out 305 hp, or just 10 hp less than last year's V8. Torque is up by 40 pound-feet as well, to give you 280 lb-ft; that screeching sound you hear is a Mustang V6 actually doing a respectable burnout. 2011 Ford Mustang models The 2011 Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible. There are four trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT and GT Premium. The base V6 starts with 17-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, keyless entry, side spotter mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories and a CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The V6 Premium adds upgraded 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, Ford's Sync system, color-adjustable gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded interior trim and a Shaker 500 stereo system. The V8-powered GT comes with the base V6's features plus 18-inch alloys, a rear spoiler and foglamps. The GT Premium is essentially a GT with different 18-inch wheels and the V6 Premium's roster of features. Options on the base Mustang V6 include an exterior appearance package and an anti-theft system. The V6 Premium unlocks a slew of packages and options in addition to those available on the base model, including the Pony package and Mustang Club of America Special Edition (both consist of various exterior styling enhancements), the Comfort package (power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror) and the Electronics package (voice-activated navigation system with travel link, automatic climate control). Also available are remote start, a performance 3.31:1 rear-axle ratio, xenon headlamps, a glass roof, a tonneau cover for convertible models and a back-up camera (which requires the Electronics package). A V6 Performance package (late availability) gets you the suspension and brakes from the GT plus 19-inch wheels, summer tires and a recalibrated stability control system. The Mustang GT can be outfitted with a Brembo Brake package, which includes more powerful brakes, 19-inch wheels, summer tires and the recalibrated stability control system. Two performance axles (3.55:1 and 3.73:1) are also available. The GT Premium can be had with all the V6 Premium's and GT's options plus an array of 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, a California Special package (more exterior styling variations) and a more powerful Shaker 1000 sound system (not available with the Electronics package). 2011 Highlights Following up on interior and exterior revisions last year, the 2011 Ford Mustang receives all-new engines this year, including a 305-horsepower V6 and a 412-hp V8. They're backed up to new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Other changes include a switch to electric power steering (from hydraulic), larger brakes, revised suspension tuning, added noise insulation, additional body bracing for the GT convertible, blind-spot mirrors and Ford's MyKey system.