Ford Mustang GT Premium 5.0L V8

The Mustang GT Convertible, its rear wheels powered by a formidable 460 horsepower, 420 lb-ft of torque 5.0-liter V8 engine, is a veritable icon in the It's powerhouse motor, governed by a polished ten-speed automatic gearbox, rips from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds - 4.1 seconds with the stock six-speed manual gearbox in play. It comes equipped with an array of performance-based underpinnings and features a fully lined power-operated cloth top, which - along with its nifty powertrain - cement its appeal. Nailing the trifecta of thrilling power, inspiring capability, and cinematic top-down joyrides, the Mustang GT Convertible has a well-deserved reputation. Yet, with long-standing rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro offering packages just as appealing, competition for the Mustang is as stiff as ever. Nevertheless, the venerable pony-car has a distinctive novelty about it, and now with its modernized conveniences that have been well-integrated with its nostalgic retro styling, it manages to stay near the top of the log for any enthusiast looking for pony-car revelry. Or does it?
The Mustang line keeps the exterior updates from its mild 2018 facelift. The front end is characterized by a forward-sloping hood featuring dual vents, and sporting a distinctive front fascia. LED headlights, and Mustang's signature LED three-blade running lights, flank the Mustang's classic black mesh grille, while a molded chin skirting underscores the narrow LED turn signals and integrated fog lamps. A fully lined black cloth soft-top discerns the top half of the Convertible, while 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels fill the arches of the low-slung frame. A blade decklid spoiler, LED sequential taillights, and dual bright rolled polished exhaust tips fashion the rear end.
The stirring 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque from the potent 5.0-liter V8 engine are dispatched to the rear wheels of the Mustang GT, modulated via a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional ten-speed automatic. Off-the-line acceleration is instantaneous and awe-inspiring - the V8 and manual gearbox propel the pony-car from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Shifts are smooth and swift, and the act, most importantly, is highly immersive. The automatic gearbox gets the GT through to the 60 mph mark in a quicker 3.9 seconds, and although it feels properly programmed to deliver intuitive shift points and matching rev ranges, it can feel sluggish at times and is completely discombobulated when switched to manual mode. The manual transmission is the better choice in terms of feel, but buyers won't regret choosing the auto either, especially for casual drivers who prefer the GT Convertible for its relaxed, top-down experience over its sports car underpinnings.
An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen adorns the center dash of the Mustang GT, tethered to a nine-speaker stereo system with AM/FM radio. Ford's functional and intuitive SYNC 3 system is installed to the setup as standard, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, as well as voice control, Bluetooth technology, AppLink, 911 Assist, and SiriusXM radio connectivity. A smart-charging USB is located on the front center dash, and another within the center armrest console. The SYNC 3 infotainment system is favorably responsive, and the user interface is easy to use and understand - it's better than many of the rival systems out there. A premium 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen surround-sound system is optional and comes with a single-CD player intake and HD Radio connectivity.
The NHTSA has not fully evaluated the Convertible variant of the Mustang GT, although rollover scores were given at a full five stars. Additionally, its stablemate, the Coupe variant, was awarded top-notch overall safety ratings of five out of five stars. The IIHS gave the Convertible a top rating of Good for three specified evaluations. The Mustang GT's standard safety consignment includes only six standard airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, an SOS post-crash alert system, a rearview camera, and reverse parking sensors.
With only the single trim option available, the decision comes down to which gearbox and what options to include to get the most out of the Mustang GT Convertible. The manual gearbox is the one we'd go for, purely for the fact that it augments driver engagement and adds to the GT's raw pony-car ethos. The automatic transmission is a decent option too but performs far less attractively when switched to manual mode. To compound on the Mustang GT's capability, we suggest ticking the box for the GT Performance Package which, along with a few sportier cosmetic items, adds a decent array of performance-based underpinnings, including Brembo six-piston front brake calipers. The premium Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker surround-sound audio system is also a worthwhile upgrade, along with the Ford Safe & Smart Package which comprises some much-needed driver aids, including lane-keeping assist, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and forward collision warning with brake support.