Ford Mustang Performance Review.
Introduction:
This edition of the Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the
1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4942cc 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, Coupe 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 1295 kgs (2854 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 in the same weight category as the
2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.
![Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo - [2022] image](/editionimages/2335.jpg "Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo - [2022] image")
The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)
In terms of power the 4942cc 16V V8 engine produces 140 bhp (104 kW) @ 3600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).
The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 250 lb-ft (338.9 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the
2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 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.
![Vauxhall-Opel Chevette 2300 HS - [1978] image](/editionimages/925.jpg "Vauxhall-Opel Chevette 2300 HS - [1978] image")
The 1978 Vauxhall-Opel Chevette 2300 HS (133.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.
The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 108.1 bhp per ton and 193.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Mustang competing with the
1978 Vauxhall-Opel Chevette 2300 HS (133.1 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (133.1 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 193.0 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
2014 Volvo V60 3.0 Turbo Polestar (218.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (217.8 lb-ft per ton).
Acceleration:
With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).
![Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD - [2018] image](/editionimages/2005.jpg "Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD - [2018] image")
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.19 secs @ 79.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (17.12 secs), the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro (17.15 secs), and the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto (17.16 secs).
Top Speed:
Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 120mph.
Top Speed of the 1979 Mustang equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)
If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 then how about
the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).
