2011 Ford Mustang to start at $22,995, pace Daytona 500?

With the 2011 Mustang, Ford has pushed power in both the V6 and V8 models up almost 100 horsepower respectively. Both have also received a host of significant upgrades that give them more ammunition in the reborn pony car wars of today.

With those type of improvements, one can only expect to see some type of price increase. Early word from the Mustang Source is that the V6 Mustang will base out at $22,995, which is a $750 increase over the '10 model but $500 cheaper than a V6 Camaro.

The GT will reportedly base at $30,495, (breaking the $30,000 barrier for the first time) which is $1,250 higher than '10 but $1,300 cheaper than an SS Camaro.

Also in Mustang news, the folks over at Mustang Heaven are telling us that the 2011 Mustang GT will pace the Daytona 500, which will be the first time a Ford has done so since the 1970 Torino GT.

Of course the pace car Mustang will get a Daytona red paint scheme with blue and white LeMans stripes. Lots of other random goodies will ensue as well. Ford only plans on building one, which will be offered up for auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona on Saturday, January 23rd.