2012 Ford Mustang Charlotte NC

The 2012 Mustang line delivers more features and more refinement than any so-called pony car line-up before, not to mention a whole lot of performance per dollar. The new Ford Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible, with either a V6 engine or one of three increasingly powerful V8s. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, though an automatic is optional on most. Improvements for 2012 include more standard features and a selectable power steering system that changes steering effort and feedback from comfort to normal to sport at the driver's selection. The big news, however, is the return of the Mustang Boss 302. It's a modern take on one the great cars in American road-racing lore.

Lineup of the 2012 Mustang

The Mustang V6 coupe comes with standard cloth upholstery, cruise control, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM-FM stereo with a single CD player and auxiliary jack, a compass, outside-temperature indicator, theft-deterrent system, limited-slip differential and P215/60R-17 tires on alloy wheels. The Mustang V6 convertible features a power-operated convertible fabric top. It deletes the standard split-folding rear seat, but is otherwise equipped identically to the base coupe.

The Mustang GT adds features, including aluminum interior trim, automatic headlights, rear spoiler, fog lights, and wider tires on 18-inch wheels. The Mustang Boss 302 coupe is geared toward hard-core enthusiast drivers and offered only with the manual transmission. Output from its 5.0-liter V8 increases to 444 horsepower, thanks largely to a higher RPM redline. It's fairly sparsely equipped inside, but virtually every component, from its manually adjustable suspension to its brakes, is upgraded of better race-track performance. The Boss 302 comes with the Boss Track Attack program, which includes complimentary driving instruction and track time. 

The Shelby GT500 coupe and convertible adds performance upgrades. The GT500s are also loaded with features, including premium audio and leather/Alcantara upholstery. 

All V6 and GT models are available with a Premium trim-level upgrade. This package adds leather upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 500-watt Shaker 500 audio upgrade with CD changer and satellite radio, Ford Sync entertainment and communications system, iPod adapter, wireless cell phone link, MyColor adjustable gauges, ambient lighting and an automatic day/night rearview mirror. There are also a variety of other packages available including a Sport Appearance package, the Mustang Club of America Special Edition for V6 models, and the California Special edition for the GT.

2012 Ford Mustang Exterior

The Mustang is available as a coupe, a convertible or a unique glass-roof coupe. The top-selling Mustang V6 and GT models are offered in all three body styles, in standard trim or a more feature-laden Premium level, with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Ford offers the Mustang with a range of appearance and wheel packages that change its look and allow buyers to tailor the car to taste. All variants start with a welded steel unibody (as opposed to a separate body and chassis), and half the body weight is high-strength, low-alloy steel. Mustang is by far the lightest of the new breed of pony cars, beating the Chevy Camaro by 300 pounds and the Dodge Challenger by as much as 500 pounds. The weight savings provide a definite advantage, in both performance and fuel economy.  The Mustang Boss 302 model, new for 2012, is a true attention grabber. To set this Mustang apart, Ford builds each with either a black or white roof panel, color-coordinated to the C-shaped graphics on its flanks. A low, aggressive splitter on the Boss's front air dam is also functional, improving engine cooling and adding downforce to the front tires.

Handling of the '12 Mustang

The Mustang V6 coupe is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 generating a substantial 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang GT coupe and convertible are powered by a 5.0-liter V8 delivering 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.  The Mustang Boss 302 coupe is geared toward hard-core enthusiast drivers and offered only with the manual transmission. Output from its 5.0-liter V8 increases to 444 horsepower, thanks largely to a higher RPM redline. The Shelby GT500 coupe and convertible are the alpha males of the Mustang line, powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 deliver 550 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Over the past two years, the Mustang chassis has been upgraded, tightened and stiffened, delivering a tauter ride, crisper response and less pitch, dive and body roll than any previous base Mustang. And the V6 comes standard with all the driving aids and skid control electronics, including anti-lock brakes, traction control and AdvanceTrac stability control.

New Ford Mustang Cabin

The Ford Mustang's interior mixes excellent build quality with improved materials and a straightforward dashboard layout.A range of noise, vibration and harshness countermeasures have made what was once a rather loud car pleasingly smooth and quiet. The look and feel inside the Mustang is even better with the Premium model package offered on both V6 models and V8 GTs. It adds leather-upholstered sport bucket seats with cashmere accents running down the middle, as well as a dark aluminum instrument panel and unique door inserts. The dash layout and switch panels are uncomplicated, aesthetically balanced and very effective. Most controls are large pushbuttons, though temperature, fan speed, volume and tuning are extra-big radial knobs. Even the base model has a very readable video display for audio and other information.

Conclusions

Standard crash-protection features include front-impact airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags and full cabin head-protection curtains, as well as Ford's SOS post-crash alert system, which unlocks the doors, turns on the four-way flashers and sounds the horn if an air bag is deployed. All Mustangs come with anti-lock brakes, stability control and Ford's MyKey feature, which allows parents to limit speed and audio volume, among other things, when teens drive the car.  The Mustang as been in continuous production for nearly five decades, making it the longest running model in Ford history. Whether you call it a pony car, muscle car or American Iron, it remains the class benchmark 47 years after it was introduced.  For more on this model, visit the official Ford Mustang website!

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com