How fast is the mustang gt California special?

Answer 1

The world smiled down on me when record high temperatures, beautiful sunshine and a Mustang GT California Special convertible arrived in town at the same time. The 2012 Mustang is a fun car to drive - you could tell by the smile on my face, and the convertible is even better when the weather is perfect. From the way it turned heads, others thought so too.

This 2012 Mustang GT came with the California Special package. Ask a Mustang historian about the California Special and you will probably get a story about the 1968 Mustang. The California dealers wanted something unique so a factory run of just over 4100 Mustang "California Specials" were built for their market. Basically a trim package on the regular Mustang GT, the California Special models had an impact far larger than anyone would have imagined. The unique side stripes, false but good looking side air scoops, custom grille, rear spoiler, and C/S labeling made the car an instant hit.

For 2012, not much has changed as far as the appeal of the California Special models. They are unique and look great. The only difference is that now they are available everywhere - not just in California.

So what does the California Special package include? Unique items include 19x8.5 Argent painted alloy wheels, Leather-trimmed sport bucket seats with GT/CS labels embossed in the back rests, carbon appearing inserts in the centre seat panels and on the door trim, simulated rear gas cap with California Special on the large round emblem, a custom grille and lower facia with fog lights, a contrasting narrow side stripe with GT/CS as part of the stripe, a rear decklid spoiler and of course, the unique but still false side air scoops. All this comes as a $2000 package, and it looks well worth it, not only in looks but you will probably also recoup that money when you go to sell the car down the road.

While the California Special package is basically a make you feel and look good trim package, it is built on a Mustang GT platform and the GT is nothing to be taken for granted. New Dodge Challengers and Chevy Camaro's may look good but the Mustang is an equal match in styling and has a nimbleness and sporty feeling I think is better. It may have to do with the driving position. In the Mustang, outward visibility is much better in all directions even with the top raised. Lower the top and there is no blind spot. You can see and be seen! True, the dash is high and the front corners of the car can't be seen from the driver's seat, but the power bucket seat will help raise smaller drivers and the front corners are not that hard to predict.

New for 2012 is a customizable steering feel. The electric power steering enables the driver to select one of three settings, from a relaxed touring setting to a firm sports car setting. I kept it in normal mode most of the time. The steering feels good and cornering lines are easily predictable because the car maintains its line even when pushed hard.

There are two things I will always remember about this Mustang. One is the rumble of the exhaust during acceleration. Even at an idle there is a nice throaty sound. Step on the pedal and it gets louder but not that obnoxious rasping sound - it has a mellow full pitch that lets you know there is 412 horsepower from that 5 litre V8 under the hood.

The other thing I will remember is the precise shifting of the six-speed manual transmission. Shift throws are short and take very little effort, but also have a positive feel into each position. I loved how it shifted, which was good because the 7000 rpm redline came quickly when accelerating quickly in first gear mandating a quick shift to second. Get it out on the highway in 6th and fuel economy would improve, getting in the 7.8 L/100 km range if I drove carefully. Drive aggressively and expect to pay at the pumps, with readings of 20 L/100 km showing on the driver information centre.