We pit Fords all-new Mustang V-6 against its natural rivals
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00:00 I'm here with the 2011 Ford Mustang V6, which happens to have a brand new 305 horsepower
00:14 engine.
00:15 Now, given this new power plant, we thought it only fitting to pit it against its crosstown
00:19 rivals, the Dodge Challenger SE and the Chevy Camaro RS.
00:24 But before we call it the group complete, we scan the field of rear drive, four seat,
00:29 V6 sport coupes, and found one more, an import from South Korea, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe
00:35 3.8.
00:36 Now, with pony cars, it's all about the numbers.
00:38 So we headed to the test track to see how they ranked.
00:52 [00:00:00]
00:59 [00:00:10]
01:06 [00:00:30]
01:26 [00:00:45]
01:41 Of course, test numbers don't tell the whole story.
02:06 So we headed out onto the streets to drive these machines and pick our favorite.
02:13 In fourth place, we have the Dodge Challenger SE.
02:16 This is the biggest vehicle here.
02:18 It's the heaviest vehicle here.
02:21 And alas, it's the least powerful.
02:23 So you put those traits together and you have the slowest car and you have the least fun
02:29 to drive vehicle of the four.
02:31 Out on a curvy road, this really, of the Fords, it's the one you kind of don't want to be
02:36 in.
02:37 But in a straight line on a highway, it drives great.
02:41 The ride is really plush.
02:42 It's smooth.
02:43 But again, you go back.
02:44 In this group, the car really needs to be fun to drive.
02:47 These are pony cars.
02:48 They're rear drive, sporty.
02:50 And this one simply is the least sporty here and the least fun.
02:55 So that's why we put it in fourth place.
02:57 In third place, we have the Chevrolet Camaro RS.
03:00 Now, we like this car for its styling, very cool exterior shape.
03:06 We like its quickness.
03:07 It has a great 304 horsepower direct-injected V6 paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
03:13 Overall, we like the handling, firm, sporty suspension, 20-inch wheels, Pirelli summer
03:21 tires, so good group through turns.
03:23 But overall, it's just not as fun to drive as the lighter, nimbler Mustang and Genesis
03:30 Coupe.
03:31 And then inside, we're not really fond of the overly retro design theme.
03:37 It seems that Chevy designers really chose style over ergonomics.
03:41 The trunk is very small.
03:43 Interior is kind of tight compared to some of the others.
03:46 So in the end, you combine the interior ergonomic lows along with the handling that's not quite
03:53 up to par with the Mustang and Genesis Coupe, and you arrive at third place.
04:00 In second place, we have the new 2011 Mustang V6.
04:03 This car is a huge, huge improvement over last year's car, which had a measly 210 horsepower
04:09 from a rather unrefined V6 engine.
04:13 This new motor is a 3.7 liter, puts out 305 horsepower, which makes this car in this group
04:19 the quickest one here.
04:21 It's also the best handling, thanks to a new suspension, which comes from the Mustang GT,
04:26 the V8 model.
04:27 So you get firmer dampers and springs, you get 19 inch wheels with summer tires.
04:33 At the end of the day, we really love this new Mustang V6.
04:36 It is by far the best V6 powered Mustang to date.
04:41 As I said before, sweet new 3.7 liter engine, 305 horsepower, a very slick six-speed manual
04:48 transmission, a great suspension from the GT.
04:52 You have those 19 inch wheels, exterior styling, we love the retro theme.
04:58 Interior is rather Spartan, but it's nice.
05:02 You can also step up to the premium model with leather.
05:05 But that said, there was one vehicle we liked a little bit more.
05:13 The Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
05:15 That's right, we're in the first place vehicle.
05:18 Now what really set the Hyundai apart from the others was its true sports car feel.
05:24 And what I mean by that is, when you drive this Genesis Coupe, you feel really low to
05:29 the ground.
05:31 It stays extremely flat through turns, it has really sharp, quick turn in.
05:38 And through the turns, there's a lot of grip.
05:40 It feels really planted, stable.
05:42 Then you have a very stout 3.8 liter V6 that's refined, it's eager to rev, it sounds great.
05:50 A slick six-speed manual transmission, 19 inch wheels, Brembo brakes.
05:56 So while the Challenger and the Camaro and the new Mustang are all great looking, fun
06:02 to drive pony cars, this Genesis Coupe 3.8 is the only true sports car, and it's the
06:08 best drive here.
06:13 (upbeat music)