2011 Ford Mustang GT beats Camaro SS in unofficial 1/8th mile race

Can't wait for the inevitable challenges and showdowns that are coming between the 2011 Mustang GT and the Camaro SS? Well, the fun has already begun in a way. At a sectioned off part of the Camarillo Airport at last week's media launch for the new Mustang in California.

The 1/8th mile section of track was the first test for both the Camaro and Mustang, both featuring six speed automatic transmissions. Popular Hot Rodding managed a 8.82second run at 83 mph in the Camaro, and a 8.62 @ 86 mph in the Mustang.

So the Mustang take the crown in the first showdown in what promises to be many to come. With the Camaro currently besting the Mustang in sales, this is just what Ford's iconic pony car needs to win in the showroom and on the track going forward.

Video: Dodge Viper ACR-X on the dyno

There's something undeniably pulse quickening about race cars, and the brutal power that their engines produce. Perhaps it is the raw and purpose built nature that draws us to them, maybe it is just the fact that they are fast.

The Dodge Viper ACR-X is both purpose built and fast. It forgoes the stock Viper's catalytic converters, adds forged pistons, modified calibration, and long tube headers. All that is good for 640 horsepower and 605 pound feet of torque.

The video above shows the 8.4L V10 going through it's paces courtesy of Dodge engineers. As you will see, there's nothing more mesmerizing than the sound of the engine coupled with the ominous red glow of those long tube headers.

2011 Ford Mustang GT officially has 412 hp, 26 mpg highway

We've known for some time that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT was getting a vastly improved powerplant in the form of a 5.0L V8. An increase in power was a given, and the subsequent 412 hp is exactly what has been rumored for some time now.

But what no one seemingly expects to be synonymous with a bump in power is an increase in gas mileage. But as with it's V6 brethren, the V8 puts out a respectable 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway with a six speed manual, 18 and 25 with the automatic.

Those numbers are a large improvement over the outgoing 2010 model with the 4.6 V8, which was rated at 15/23 manual, 15/22 automatic. They also beat out the Camaro SS, which is rated at 16/24 manual and 16/25 automatic.

According to Ford, having an extra gear in the transmissions plays a large part in the better fuel economy, in addition to the Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) that can quickly adjust the intake and exhaust valves. Check out the press release for all the details.

Press Release

2011 FORD MUSTANG GT LEADS CLASS WITH 26 MPG HIGHWAY, 412 HORSEPOWER

DEARBORN, Mich., March 16, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, powered by a new 412-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine, adds yet another notch to its belt: an EPA rating of 26 mpg highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, giving it the best fuel economy in its class.

"The 2011 Mustang continues to exceed expectations in every category, and these fuel economy numbers are another chapter in an incredible story," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Global Product Development. "To offer this kind of horsepower and class-leading fuel economy in a comfortable, beautiful, tech-savvy and affordable package – it's really unprecedented."

With the six-speed manual transmission, Mustang GT coupe is rated at 17 mpg city and
26 highway, while models with the available six-speed automatic achieve 18 mpg city and
25 highway.

The GT's best in class fuel numbers come on the heels of the Mustang V-6, which just last week cracked the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce 305 horsepower and 31 mpg highway.

Mustang GT is powered by an all-new 5.0-liter double-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) V-8 with a host of advanced features to deliver the combination of power and class-leading fuel economy.

Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs. A carefully tuned intake and exhaust system ensures free breathing at all engine speeds. And all-aluminum construction results in a lightweight yet durable powerplant.

A pair of new transmissions, both with six forward ratios, also play a large part in making the 2011 Mustang a breakthrough car. Regardless of whether drivers want to shift for themselves or let the car shift for them, they're treated to carefully chosen gear ratios to maximize fuel economy while still delivering high-horsepower performance

"Mustang powertrain development has reached a point where customers don't have to choose between fuel efficiency and performance," says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. "Thanks to technologies like Ti-VCT and our six-speed gearboxes, a Mustang driver has the best of both worlds."