Test Drive: 2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 25, 2016

Ford has revived a classic Mustang trim package, and it’s worth a close look if you’re shopping pony cars this year. The 2016 Mustang GT California Special is a remake of the original 1968 GT/CS that was dreamed up by the southern California district sales manager.

The California Special does not offer any additional performance, but the Mustang GT really doesn’t need additional performance. Ford’s new Coyote V8 engine wrings 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque out of a normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. Pair that with Ford’s best 6-speed manual transmission, or an automatic if you prefer that, and you’ve got a potent rear-wheel-drive sports car.

What you get with the California Special is a trim and looks package that includes special wheels, stripes, combination leather and suede upholstery, and some nifty turn signal indicators built into the hood. You also get a sporty splitter under the front bumper and a spoiler on the trunk lid. The California Special package costs $1,995, but it comes on top of a well-equipped vehicle.

By the time you’re thinking about the California Special edition, you’re already looking at a Mustang that includes features like heated and ventilated seats, a SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment system, a 12-speaker Shaker Audio sound system, and an optional GPS navigation system. Ford deserves special praise here because the navigation system adds just $795 to the price, recognizing that smart phones have taken the price premium out of built-in navigation.

Out on the road, the Mustang GT is a powerful machine. The V8 engine offers all the power you could ever need, and the 6-speed manual transmission is quick to shift and precise in its feel. If you opt for the automatic, you get paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, so you don’t really sacrifice the sports car experience. The Mustang feels bigger than it is because of the long hood, but it also feels stable and responds well to steering inputs.

One thing to note — the Mustang GT suspension is still a road comfort setup. If you want a Mustang that’s more purely a sports car, you can opt for the performance package for $2,995. That gets you larger Brembo brakes, heavy springs, chassis bracing, a larger radiator, a bigger rear sway bar, performance chassis and stability control tuning, and a sport ratio limited slip rear axle.

In my opinion, the Mustang GT is the most attractive of the new generation of domestic retro-performance cars (including the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger). While all offer comparable performance, the rest of the driving and ownership experience points to the Mustang as the leader of the pack.

2016 Ford Mustang GT California Special

Base price: $37,295

Price as tested: $42,275

Type: Two-door Coupe

Engine: 5.0-liter V8 (435 hp, 400 lbs-ft)

Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 15/25

Road noise: Average

Overall length: 188.3 inches

Curb weight: 3,729 pounds

Final assembly: Flat Rock, Michigan