So, F**d is bringing out an all-new Mustang GT. Motor Trend prints an exclusive "Track Test" and comes up with some performance numbers: 1/4 mile - 13.6 @ 99.9; Slalom avg mph - 66.1; Braking 60-0 - 120ft; figure-8 - 26.61sec.@ 0.67 avg g. In their side bar commentary they offer this remark, "In case you're wondering how the new Mustang stacks up against the GTO; The American pony is faster and nimbler than the Australian-bred goat–automatic or manual...".
Let's go to the Road Test Results section of this same magazine, on page 180. There we find the 12/03 test results performed on the 2004 Pontiac GTO M6: 1/4 mile - 13.6 @ 104.8; Slalom avg mph - 63.5; Braking 60-0 - 120ft; figure-8 - 26.4sec.@ 0.68 avg g.
Faster? not by a long shot. Nimbler? Slalom, yes, braking, tie, figure-8, no way. Remember, the new Mustang is about 300 lbs lighter than the slightly pudgy goat, yet the GTO brakes as well and runs the figure-8 better than 2 tenths faster and pulls a better gforce. Sounds like a little blue oval favoratisim in play here. Or maybe the author can't comprehend and compare simple statistics.
Oh wait, FoMoCo has purchased advertising on 15 pages in this issue. Is it just me, or does somebody else detect a little journalistic prejudice/brain fart here?
|
Threaded Mode