2024 Ford Mustang GT/Dark Horse

 

 The most well-known, iconic, and best-selling American pony car in the Ford Mustang has been redesigned for 2024, entering its seventh generation. Not only is it an evolution of the previous Mustang, but significant upgrades and other changes were made as well. The new Mustang is currently offered in EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse versions, while the EcoBoost and GT also offer Premium packages and convertible forms. For the purposes of this post, I will cover the GT and Dark Horse specifically, especially since I have only taken photos of those two versions, and most enthusiasts and I care the most about the V8-powered Mustangs over any lesser version of it. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 carries over from previous Mustang generations, except that it has been upgraded to 480 horsepower in the GT, 486 horsepower in the GT with the performance exhaust, and 500 horsepower in the Dark Horse. Torque figures remain relatively steady at 415 pound-feet in the GT and 418 pound-feet in the Dark Horse, while they improve to 481 pound-feet in the GT with the performance exhaust. Launching from zero to 60 mph occurs in 4.2 seconds for the GT and 4.1 seconds for the Dark Horse, while top speeds are set at 155 mph for the GT and 166 mph for the Dark Horse. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board with the 2024 Mustang, while the GT and Dark Horse can be optioned with a 6-speed manual as well.

The new Mustang's suspension has been revised compared to its predecessor for a better handling and driving experience. Its optional Performance Pack consists of a front strut-tower brace, Torsen limited-slip differential, wider wheels and tires, bigger Brembo brakes, and a MagneRide active-dampening suspension. Other optional performance extras include Recaro bucket seats and a Performance Electronic Parking Brake that resembles a traditional handbrake and makes the vehicle easier to drift. Inside, the cabin has received some improvements, such as a standard 12.4-inch instrument cluster, 13.2-inch infotainment screen with Ford Sync 4 software, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, ambient lighting, Amazon Alexa and Ford Streaming voice command capabilities, Ford Power-Up that allows for over-the-air software updates and vehicle function enhancements, and an optional wireless smartphone charger. Some leather and stitched interior trim pieces are standard in the Mustang GT and Dark Horse, and a Remote Rev function was introduced on the new Mustang, allowing its engine to rev up the RPMs from the press of a button on the key fob from outside of the car.

Pricing for the 2024 Mustang GT and Dark Horse starts at $43,305 and $61,080 respectively. The first example was on display at a car show I attended in early October and marked the first 2024 Mustang that I've seen in person and the only new Mustang Dark Horse that I've seen up close to date. As for the two 2024 Mustang GTs featured in this post, I saw the red one at three different car meets that took place all within the past month, and I spotted the black one earlier this month. I have seen a handful of other 2024 Mustangs out and about, but I don't have any photos of those, and that's no big deal to me. Like with previous Mustang generations, I expect to see more of the new one on the streets and at car meets in the coming years, and I am especially looking forward to what's in store for the Shelby versions down the road. Overall, I am a fan of the new Mustang and see it as one of the best generations of the legendary pony car. In addition, I have developed a greater appreciation for the new Mustang, especially its V8-powered versions, partly due to the uncertain futures of the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, the Mustang's two chief competitors.

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Bentley Mulsanne Speed

 

 The Mulsanne Speed is the performance-oriented version of Bentley's flagship sedan from the late 2010s to 2020. Powering the Mulsanne Speed is a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 with 530 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque, the latter figure being one of the highest torque figures of any four-door high-end luxury vehicle, paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 190 mph. The Speed variant adds carbon fiber and darker trim, unique 21-inch wheels, a tinted grille, tinted headlights and taillights, and a Sport mode on its tuned suspension system. The modified suspension in the Mulsanne Speed allows for a more engaging driving experience over its standard and long-wheelbase counterparts. Its interior remains one of the most comfortable and luxurious in the car industry, adorned in high-quality leather, aluminum, and wood trim with amenities such as rear-seat fold-down picnic tables, an 8-inch infotainment screen, two 10.4-inch screens mounted on the backs of the front seats, and an optional champagne bottle chiller with crystal champagne flutes.

Bentley gave the Mulsanne a facelift in 2017 before discontinuing it altogether in 2020. Pricing started at close to $345,000 during the Mulsanne Speed's last model year in production, but a typical Mulsanne Speed can be sold for significantly less on the resale market today. The example featured in this post is of a facelifted Mulsanne Speed, which appeared at a car show that I was attending back in late September. I don't see these particular Bentleys that often, especially facelifted Mulsanne Speeds, so it should come as no surprise that I was more fascinated by this Mulsanne Speed than most vehicles on display at that show, which featured mainly classic American muscle and hot rods. Overall, the Bentley Mulsanne Speed is an amazing ultra-luxury sedan, and there's something about it that makes it one of the more appealing vehicles to grace the Flying B.

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2017 Dodge Viper ACR

 

The 2017 ACR marked the end of the Dodge Viper as we knew it. This version is the most track-focused and represented peak Viper, powered by a 8.4-liter V10 with 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 177 mph. The ACR adds an elongated front splitter, front winglets, front fender vents, a massive rear wing, and a tuned suspension over the base Viper, Viper GTC, and Viper GTS for improved aerodynamics and handling. In addition, its Brembo carbon ceramic brakes were specific to the last Viper ACR and a first for a Viper. Every third-gen Viper contains an exterior and interior with a better design and build quality than any other Viper before it.

 It would be ideal if Dodge continued to produce the Viper today, but I fully understand why it was discontinued and that it more than likely won't ever be revived for a fourth generation. The most recent Dodge Viper ACR was priced at around $150,000 when it was new in 2016 and 2017 but is currently worth at least $200,000 on the resale market and up to $500,000 for the Viper ACR's final editions. Dodge Vipers are generally pretty rare, especially the third and final generation, but I happened to see two examples of the last Viper ACR at two different car shows within the past five months. The first one (in black) was seen in late September, and the second one (in silver with black and red stripes) was seen just over a week ago. Although the more recent Corvette generations may be better all-around sports cars, the third and final generation Viper is the best and coolest Viper ever made, and I appreciate it more and more over time due to its rarity, beautiful design, raw performance, and purity that can't be found in any other car.

 

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