$65K Mustang VS $145K 911? ‘MotorTrend’ Dives In
MotorTrend compares the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 with the 992-gen Porsche 911 Carrera S on the track.
Shelby GT350 vs Porsche 911 Carrera S is an unlikely match-up. In one corner is the $64,860 American muscle car. The Mustang certainly has no shortage of power thanks to its burly 5.2-liter V8 that pumps out 526 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. In the other corner, however, is the far more expensive German sports car. The $143,350 Porsche is more than twice as much coin and produces less power. The twin-turbo flat-6 in the 911’s tail produces 443 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque at a usable 2,300 rpm. Of course, that’s Porsche horsepower, which is usually put to far more effective use than in most cars.
MotorTrend contributors Johnny Lieberman and Jethro Bovingdon compare the two cars on the road before they head to the track. “The Mustang and the 911 both date back to the middle of the 1960s and have been loved globally ever since,” says Lieberman. “The amazing part? These two living legends are better than ever. The 992 is all new. It’s a little bit wider and a little bit heavier and has a little bit more power. The Shelby is a refresh of there 2016 model. They’ve changed the dampers and a little bit different aero, plus of course the tires.” Bovingdon favors the 911: “The Porsche has probably got its nose ahead,” he says. “They’re just so good, these cars. But at the track, the Ford has more power. A 5.2-liter, flat-plane-crank V8, 526 horsepower and it has those big, fat, sticky Michelin Cup II tires. Can the Ford beat the Porsche?”
To answer that question, MotorTrend hands the two cars over to pro-racer Randy Pobst. For this video the team uses WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA. “Nice car to drive on track,” says Pobst of the Ford. “It’s very comfortable, strong braking, good pedal feel, no fade… a lot of tire grip.” He does note that the Mustang exhibits understeer on the longer corners which costs it time around the track. “Otherwise it’s a really, really enjoyable car to drive. That crazy, flat-plane-crank V8 goes all the way to 8200-rpm.” Pobst is also impressed with the Mustang’s stability, particularly coming down the famous “Corkscrew” corner at Laguna. “Really fun track car. It works.”
Pobst likes the Shelby but he absolutely loves the 911. “I don’t want to stop,” he says of the Porsche. “Number one, this 911 is on a normal street tire. Yet the traction and the grip are really impressive. It has a beautiful balance. The tail will move and its got a little bit of 911 character. It just rotates and drifts down into the corner. It’s got better balance than the Mustang. It’s a very different experience.”
Pobst also reckons that the Porche’s PDK gearbox is the best transmission from any manufacturer for track use. “I really, really enjoy the driving experience. I can really place the 911 where I want it.” He also notes that the 911’s torque from the twin-turbo engine really drives it out of corners. “It even sounds like an older vintage 911 sometimes but it runs with the modern torque of turbos. I’m just in love! The 992 continues the 911 tradition of terrific handling and performance.”
In the end, the matchup proves surprisingly close. Pobst coaxes a 1.35.52 lap time from the rear engine 911. The Mustang comes in a close second though with a 1.36.83 lap. Considering the large price differential between the two cars it’s definitely an interesting outcome. It’s worth watching the video just to see Pobst slide the two cars to some pretty insane angles.
Screengrabs: MotorTrend / YouTube