Ford Mustang Performance Review.
Introduction:
This edition of the Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the
1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4601cc 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 1552 kgs (3421 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible in the same weight category as the
2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo 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 4601cc 16V V8 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).
The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 285 lb-ft (386.4 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the
2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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.
![Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero - [2006] image](/editionimages/514.jpg "Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero - [2006] image")
The 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.
The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 138.5 bhp per ton and 183.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Mustang competing with the
2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mazda RX8 1.3 (163.5 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 183.6 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
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe 1st Gen (208.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z 5.7 V8 (208.5 lb-ft per ton).
Acceleration:
With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).
![Alpine A610 3.0 V6 - [1991] image](/editionimages/1412.jpg "Alpine A610 3.0 V6 - [1991] image")
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1991 Alpine A610 3.0 V6
When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.78 secs @ 86.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Alpine A610 3.0 V6 (15.71 secs), the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.8 V6 (15.72 secs), and the 2003 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 24v (15.72 secs).
Top Speed:
Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible has a maximum speed of 135mph.
Top Speed of the 1997 Mustang equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)
If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible then how about
the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).
