Parked at the Henry Ford Museum,...
Parked at the Henry Ford Museum, you can see the dual exhaust, a first for a V-6 Mustang. The MCA Edition features black tape treatment on the decklid.
Last spring, I had the opportunity to drive a new '11 Mustang across the state of Michigan, from Dearborn to Grand Rapids and back. The idea was sparked when my wife, Barbra, and I learned that our granddaughter, Victoria Jackson, was one of six finalists, as selected by the Young Playwrights Festival, to have a play produced at the Michigan State Wharton Center for Arts and Creativity.
A junior at East Grand Rapids High School, Tori was the first from her school to have a play selected, so the opportunity to watch Tori's play was something we did not want to miss. And having lived in Michigan for 25 years, much of it while working on Ford advertising business at J. Walter Thompson, I always like to find a reason to return to the Motor City-in this case, to pick up an '11 Mustang for our travels.
The Henry Ford II World Center...
The Henry Ford II World Center is the home to senior Ford management. I used to go there for ad and commercial approval meetings with Ford attorneys.
After talking with Mustang Product Marketing Manager Allison Revier and Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak, their excitement for the new V-6 was evident. Both felt the new 3.7-liter engine, six-speed transmissions, suspension updates, and electric steering transform the car into a true sports coupe. When I learned I was being assigned a Mustang Club of America Edition, I could not wait to try out the latest Mustang on a weekend road trip.
After picking up our Grabber Blue MCA Edition at the Detroit airport, we headed to Dearborn. Right away I noticed the six-speed's short shifter, which makes it effortless to locate all six gears, and the new electric power steering. Whether you are parking in a tight space, driving in the rain, or straightening a few curves, this is the best steering feel I have ever experienced in a Mustang. It really adds to the FPM-Fun Per Mile-of the new Mustang.
Pulling out on I-94, I noticed that the new V-6's sound resembles the high-pitched song of a GT race car. I've never heard a V-6 sound so good. The engine revs easily to its 7,000-rpm redline, with Ford rating the new V-6 at 305 hp with 280 lb-ft of torque. You can believe the numbers-this car is fast. Our Mustang came with the optional 3.31 rear, and that's definitely the way to go.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential...
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Grand Rapids. The former President grew up in Grand Rapids and is buried on the museum grounds.
In Dearborn, we stopped by the Ford Design Center, which was christened in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during Ford's 50th Anniversary. We also visited Ford World Headquarters where I spent many hours working with the Ford Office of General Council. All Ford advertising must be approved by Ford's legal department, so I had the pleasure of working with a number of talented attorneys during my many visits to the building, which was constructed in 1956.
Michigan roads are not known for their tabletop smoothness, but it didn't make any difference to our Mustang. Equipped with the optional V-6 Performance Package (GT suspension and brakes, strut tower brace, and 8.5x19 wheels with 255/40R19 Pirelli PZero tires), the Mustang handles like it is on rails yet exhibits excellent ride quality. When merging from the Southfield Freeway onto the Lodge Freeway, there's a curve that would test any vehicle. The Mustang went through it like it was a straightaway.
In no time, we arrived for a visit with our friends Jim and Carol Hearrell. While helping to unload, Jim noticed the pile of luggage in the trunk. Barbra does not travel light, so we loaded many a bag into the Mustang. When someone tells you they don't own a Mustang because the trunk is not large enough, refer them to the photo in this article.
While in the Detroit area,...
While in the Detroit area, we visited MRT Performance in Plymouth. Founded by former Team Mustang engineer Scott Hoag, who was responsible for the '01 Bullitt and '03-'04 Mach 1, MRT is a leading Mustang performance company.
It's always a pleasure to spend time with Scott Hoag, president of MRT Performance. I met Scott when he was program manager for the Mustang Bullitt. It was so much fun working with him on that project that I purchased Bullitt Mustang number 17. After Bullitt, Scott headed up the Mach 1 program before retiring from Ford and starting MRT. Scott was impressed by the '11 Mustang's total package, which includes dual exhaust, the first offered by the factory on a six-cylinder Mustang.
The historic Dearborn Inn...
The historic Dearborn Inn was originally built by Henry Ford as the hotel for the Dearborn airport, which is today the Ford Proving Grounds. Steeped in Ford Motor Company history, it's a wonderful place to stay when visiting Dearborn.
Later, it was back to Dearborn for dinner with Robert Parker, director of Ford product communications. A real car guy, Robert was responsible for the '06 Shelby Hertz Mustang as well as many other successful programs while working in his former position as car marketing manager. With people like Robert, it's easy to understand why Ford Motor Company is producing so many good vehicles these days.