A Legend Reborn

50 years ago, Ford introduced the first ever mustang, and soon followed up with a performance model, the original Shelby GT350.  Fast forward to today, Ford is proving that the past does repeat itself.  Because the all new 2015 Mustang has just hit the showrooms and now Ford is introducing their new performance Mustang, and is resurrecting a legend.

Introducing the new Shelby GT350

Making is debut at last weeks LA Auto Show.

This is the track focused version of the new Mustang, and it has its eye on very specific vehicle, Motor trend's best driver's car the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.

The new and improved pony gets its power from a 5.2-liter V-8.  Ford hasn't released exact details, but Ford has promised that the GT350 will make over 500 hp, and about 400 lb-ft of tourque.  It is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Ford has ever put is a Mustang.

The rest of the car has been tweaked over the standard mustang as well.  Every thing from a lower hood, a wider front track, stiffer suspension, and bigger brakes are new.  In fact every piece of the sheet metal in front of the windshield is brand new, and exclusive to the GT350.  The hood and the front fenders are made of aluminum to help save weight.  The fenders are also wider to help accommodate the brand new, specially developed Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The GT350 is wider and lower than the standard Mustang, sitting two inches lower.

The suspension is also brand new, not only for the Mustang, but for the entire Ford fleet.  The mustang brings with it MagneRide adaptive dampers, which is found in cars like the Ferrari 458.  The system monitors the road conditions and driving inputs every 8 milliseconds, and can adjust the liquid viscosity in the dampers every 10 milliseconds.

This new mustang on paper, sounds like it will be a formidable thorn in the Camaro's side.  We will just have to see if the Mustang can dethrone the king of muscle cars.

Photo Credit: (In order of appearance)

http://image.motortrend.com/f/wot/1411_ford_shelby_gt350_mustang_comes_to_l_a_with_flat_plane_v_8/84353145/2016-ford-shelby-gt350-mustang-front-end.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/wot/1411_ford_shelby_gt350_mustang_comes_to_l_a_with_flat_plane_v_8/84353142/2016-ford-shelby-gt350-mustang-front-end-02.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/wot/1411_ford_shelby_gt350_mustang_comes_to_l_a_with_flat_plane_v_8/84353172/2016-ford-shelby-gt350-mustang-rear-three-quarter.jpg

SEMA 2014

Every year the automotive industry looses their suit and ties and heads for Las Vegas.  For one week in November, companies all head to one of the most exciting cars shows of the year, the Specialty Equipment Market Association or SEMA. At this show, the name of the game is customization. And here the crazier the car the better.  Each car company pulls out all the stops and turns their normal everyday cars, into insane show cars.  The point of the show is for one, to prove that the big wigs at the car companies have a sense of humor.  But the main point is that aftermarket companies show off what you can buy for your car to make it look the the show cars.  Sound systems, body kits, hydraulics, and 4 foot spoiler that makes you look like an idiot, you name it, it's there.  With over 2000 companies showing up and over a million square feet of purely cars taking over the Las Vegas convention center, odds are that you will find something you like.

Photo Credit (in or of appearance)

http://www.businessinsider.com/25-insanely-cool-cars-from-the-2014-sema-show-in-las-vegas-2014-11#lowriders-like-this-ram-truck-are-crowd-favorites-4

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2014/10/28/Toyota-Reveals-SEMA-Bound-Concepts-7723344/

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2014/11/3/Chevy-Colorado-Performance-Concept-Powers-into-SEMA-7723456/

The American takes the Gold

The winner of Motor trend's Best Driver's Car competition is........**drum roll**

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
The track day special of GM's pony car has beat out nine of the years best performance cars. Which included two BMW's, a GTR and the previous winner the Porsche 911, pretty impressive.

If you have an hour to kill....and who doesn't?  You might want to check out Motor Trend's video they posted to Youtube.  They break down each test of each car and explain how they came to their decision.

Contenders and Placement

1st Place: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Second Place: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C

Third Place: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Forth Place: Nissan GT-R Nismo

Fifth Place: 2014 BMW M4

Sixth Place: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST

Seventh Place: 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Eighth Place: 2015 BMW i8

Ninth Place: 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

Tenth Place: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Photo Credits: "in order of appearance"
http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-z28-track-car/exterior-pictures.html
https://4c.alfaromeo.com
http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo-s/gallery/?gtabindex=1#
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/coupes/1408_2015_nissan_gt_r_nismo_first_test/63366825/2015-nissan-gt-r-nismo-front-three-quarters.jpg
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/mseries/m4coupe/2014/showroom/gallery/index.html#mediaID-3
http://www.ford.com/cars/fiesta/gallery/photos/
http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/wrx/photos-videos.html
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2014/i8/BMWi8/MediaGallery.aspx
http://www.jaguarusa.com/all-models/f-type/gallery.html?nojs=false
http://www.vw.com/models/gti/?cid=ssem_4begOEGL_57735352807_c