1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce and the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV.

This particular Ford Mustang has a 4942cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Ford Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) places the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Ferrari 296 3.0 V6 Speciale and the excellent 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0, give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 4942cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 210 bhp (156 kW) @ 4400 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX (201 bhp) and also the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 270 lb-ft (366.0 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft) or the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (295 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1985 Ford Mustang in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (172.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a power to weight ratio of 147.8 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1985 Mustang GT 5.0 V8 means you're competing with the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (172.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (172.6 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 generates around 190.1 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2015 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (215.0 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2015 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (214.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 6.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.1 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 include the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2022 BYD Dolphin FWD (7.00 secs) and the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 and the Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1985 Ford Mustang can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.39 secs with a trap speed around 88.5 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60 (15.40 seconds @ 88.5 mph) and a close race between the Jaguar XK 140 SE (15.40 seconds @ 88.4 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1985 version of the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Mustang equals the Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 then there's the slightly slower the Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (138 mph) or how about the impressive Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (138 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1985 Mustang Rivals List.
• 1985 Mustang: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Ford
• Compare the 1985 Ford Mustang