Performance Review: Ford Mustang FR 500 - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang FR 500 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Ford Mustang has a 4997cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1627 kgs (3586 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang FR 500 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 4997cc 32V V8 engine produces 415 bhp (309 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 365 lb-ft (494.8 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG S Estate (279.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 255.0 bhp per ton and 224.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 Mustang competing with the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG S Estate (279.4 bhp per ton) or the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (279.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 224.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 6.2 V8 (249.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (249.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Ford Mustang FR 500 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs). This Ford Mustang FR 500 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.87 secs @ 106.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs), and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Ford Mustang FR 500 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 Mustang equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Ford Mustang FR 500 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph), the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (179 mph), or the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (179 mph).

Related Links:

1999 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison