Built for Manitoba Summers, Designed to Impress

Built for Manitoba Summers, Designed to Impress

Driving a convertible in the summer in Manitoba is guaranteed to turn heads. Driving a convertible with a 5.0 litre V8 412hp engine added to the mix and you’ll catch everyone’s attention. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT Convertible did just that during a bright sunny weekend in August as I took the beast on several unplanned road trips and Sunday Night cruise night along Portage Ave.

Rolling up at stop lights, drivers and passengers in cars next too me would give me the thumbs up, that approval grin and nodding of the head. Everything about this Mustang GT was superb, great styling with retro modern detailing, wildly fast, wildly fun, and did I mention an impressive 5.0 litre V8 412hp engine? Lots of power under the hood of this pony. The leather seats along with Ford’s SNYC system refined the interior styling including the 19” factory rims and performance tires.

This is muscle car and when you’re burning rubber along Portage Ave, fuel efficiency is thrown out the window. Published numbers on fuel consumption are listed below. Speed and handling were great. I can definitely confirm published speed test for 0-100km in less than four seconds, or there abouts. As far as winter driving, I would suggest leaving putting the top up or better yet, just leave the Mustang in the garage and let winter pass by.

Overall, the Mustang GT Convertible is a real no-nonsense performance sports car that provides great value. I’m certainly not a Mustang aficionado as this was my first ride behind one of North America’s iconic sport cars. Chatter on several car sites and online forums indicate that those aficionados are excited and thrilled to know that “5.0” is back. For a short weekend behind the wheel of the Mustang GT convertible, I can certainly appreciate why those rev-happy pony owners are excited.

Specifications: Engine: 5.0-litre 32-valve V-8; Power: 412 hp @ 6,500 rpm; Fuel consumption: 12.2 L/100 km city, 7.6 L/100 km highway; Base price (Mustang GT Convertible): $42,899; Price as tested: $46,449