Ford Mustang Performance Review.
Introduction:
This edition of the Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the
1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5766cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.
![Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 - [2023] image](/editionimages/2343.jpg "Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 - [2023] image")
Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the
2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.
Power and Weight:
Weighing in at 1532 kgs (3377 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible in the same weight category as the
2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.
![Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo - [2022] image](/editionimages/2340.jpg "Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo - [2022] image")
The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)
In terms of power the 5766cc 16V V8 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 2600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).
The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 350 lb-ft (474.5 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the
2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).
Power to Weight:
If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.
![Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe - [1993] image](/editionimages/932.jpg "Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe - [1993] image")
The 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe (181.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.
The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 156.6 bhp per ton and 228.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Mustang competing with the
1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe (181.6 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8 (181.6 bhp per ton).
Power to Weight(cont.):
If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 228.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the
2017 Lotus Evora GT430 Auto 3.5 V6 Supercharged (253.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro (253.3 lb-ft per ton).
Acceleration:
With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe
When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.15 secs @ 90.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t Coupe (15.08 secs), the 1995 Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R (15.08 secs), and the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (15.09 secs).
Top Speed:
Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible has a maximum speed of 130mph.
Top Speed of the 1971 Mustang equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)
If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible then how about
the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).
