Ford Mustang

Impressions: While Chevrolet are Dodge are busily developing competitors to the Mustang for what will no doubt be an all-out return of the "Pony Car" wars of the 1960s — but not for another year or so — Ford is laughing all the way to the bank . . . right now. Selling the Mustang, as it turns out, is all about packaging that tickles buyers' nostalgia nerves. "A steed for every need," according to the company's PR machine. Trading heavily on the fact that 80-something-year-old Carroll Shelby used to take Mustangs and tune them up to run on race tracks across America 40 years ago, Ford now offers the Shelby GT, essentially the same car as the GT-H (for "Hertz") that's available only at select airport rental-car outlets. Dressed in several colors (the GT-H is black and gold, only) with a lowered ride height, and available as a coupe only (no convertible) it packs special wheels, a special hood and a 325-horsepower version of the optional 4.6-liter V8 (a stock Mustang GT makes 300). With a supercharged 500-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 under its bulging hood, it's no wonder that the new-for-2007 Shelby GT500 is Ford's new flagship sports car. Available in hardtop and convertible, it comes with special wheels that mimic those of the outgoing 550-horsepower GT supercar. While 500 horsepower is nothing to sneeze at, weight is the enemy as GT500 coupe tips the scales at a chunky 3,920 pounds with the ragtop checking in at 4,040. Luckily, there are enormous 14-inch front brakes to slow this beast (stockers are 12.4 inches in diameter). Also new is a California Special Package that takes your GT (V8) and adds unique body bits, special wheels, leather seats and a 1.5-inch drop in ride height. Buyers interested in the look of a fast car without incurring the expense of actually buying a fast car can outfit their 4.0-liter V6-powered Mustangs (210 h.p.) with most of the visual trimmings from the GT. Standard Mustang features include power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, four-wheel disc brakes and air conditioning. Master packagers? The Mustang is proof that you don't have to build a brand new model to get a model that feels brand new. Base price: $20,000 Type: Two-door coupe/convertible Base engine (hp): 4.0-liter OHV V6 (210) Optional engine (hp): 4.6-liter DOHC V8 (300/325); 5.4-liter DOHC V8, supercharged (500) Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive Transmission: Five-speed manual; five-speed automatic Mileage (city/hwy): 19/28 (V6) Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags (opt.); anti-lock brakes (opt.); traction control (opt.) Weight (lb.): 3,360 Basic warranty: 3/36,000 Roadside assistance: Yes Web: ford.com