2007 Ford Mustang Overview Change Vehicle

This 2007 Ford Mustang overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2007 Ford Mustang, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2007 Ford Mustang.

The biggest news for 2007 is the debut of the Shelby-badged lineup of Mustangs: the Shelby GT, and the Shelby GT500. The limited-production Shelby GT is essentially last year’s Shelby GT-H “Rent-A-Racer” updated for direct sale to consumers through Ford dealerships. The Shelby GT500 is an extreme factory modification of the Mustang, equipped with a 500-horsepower V8 engine and numerous performance tweaks from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Shelby.

In other Mustang news, the V6 Standard model is dropped, making Deluxe trim the standard once again. Mustang GT models can be equipped with the GT California Special Package and the GT Appearance Package, and selected models are offered with a new Comfort Package that includes heated front seats, a power front passenger’s seat, and an auto-dimming rearview mirrors. All models are equipped with a standard auxiliary audio input jack, or can be outfitted with Sirius satellite radio. A DVD navigation system is also available for 2007. Finally, there are two new colors: Grabber Orange and Alloy.

For 2007, the Ford Mustang is available in a wide variety of trims, in coupe or convertible format. The least expensive version is the Mustang V6 Deluxe, including air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, a CD player, floor mats, and machine-faced alloy wheels. Leather upholstery comes with the V6 Premium model, along with a Shaker 500 audio system with a CD changer and MP3 player.

Though most people choose the one of the two V6 models, performance requires a V8 engine. For that, there’s the Mustang GT. The GT Deluxe builds from the V6 Deluxe model with ABS, traction control, 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, ABS, front fog lights, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. GT Premium models add Aberdeen leather and the Shaker 500 audio system.

Notable new options for the Mustang GT include the California Special Package (unique front and rear bumper design, GT/CS door stripes, 18-inch wheels, side scoops, chrome rolled exhaust tips, black leather with Dove or Parchment inserts, larger air intake, lower chin spoiler) and the GT Appearance Package (hood scoop, chrome rolled exhaust tips, engine cover with Pony emblem).

Available in limited numbers, the new Shelby GT offers a bit more power and plenty more performance in terms of handling prowess. Set apart from other Mustangs with different front styling, a brushed aluminum grille, and a special hood secured by pins and featuring a scoop that comes directly from the famed Shelby Cobra roadster. The Shelby GT is painted white or black, with silver LeMans stripes – white cars get polished 18-inch wheels and black cars get black painted wheels. Inside, brushed aluminum pedals and lots of “Shelby” badges remind the driver this is a special car. Ford Racing Performance parts (cold air kit, muffler kit, cat-back performance exhaust) increase horsepower to 319 and torque to 330 ft.-lbs., while suspension modifications (dampers, springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace) combined with high-performance tires make the Shelby GT drive better than a stock GT.

At the top of the Mustang heap is the new Shelby GT500, built in partnership between Ford’s Special Vehicle Team and Shelby. Representing a significant performance upgrade over other Mustangs, the Shelby GT500 features a supercharged V8 engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a race-tuned suspension, four-piston Brembo brakes, and high-performance rubber. Styling differences clearly separate the Shelby GT500 from other Mustangs, inside and out. Hint: there are several Cobra snake badges on this car. Oh, and bright white LeMans stripes on the Shelby GT500 Coupe. The interior also makes use of satin aluminum in place of chrome, swaps the tachometer and speedometer locations for better visibility during performance driving, gets better seat bolsters, and features a gorgeous aluminum shift knob.

Most of the Mustangs that are sold have the standard 210-horsepower V6 under the hood, delivering 240 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic. Fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the manual and 18 city/26 highway with the automatic.

With the debut of the Shelby models, the Mustang GT is the entry-level performance edition. Its 4.6-liter V8 makes 300 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 320 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm. The EPA says this engine gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the manual and 17 city/23 highway with the automatic.

The Mustang Shelby GT contains a 4.6-liter V8 massaged by Ford Racing Performance, and it’s good for 319 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 330 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm as long as it’s fed premium unleaded. The Shelby GT is offered with a Hurst manual or a five-speed automatic, and achieves the same EPA fuel economy estimates as the standard GT.

Supercharged and intercooled Shelby GT500 models have a dual overhead cam, 5.4-liter V8 engine cranking out 500 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the Shelby GT500 achieves mileage estimates of 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

Except for the basics, safety equipment is optional on the 2007 Mustang V6, GT, and Shelby GT. Traction control, ABS, and side-impact airbags are optional, and Ford does not offer a stability control system or side curtain airbags. Traction control and ABS come standard on the Shelby GT500.

In crash tests performed by the NHTSA, the 2007 Mustang earns 5-star ratings in frontal impact and rollover assessments, while front seat, side-impact occupant protection rates 4 stars. The NHTSA has not assigned a rating for rear passenger protection in a side-impact crash, and the only one of these ratings that applies to the convertible is the 5-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Mustang Convertible an Acceptable rating in the frontal offset crash test, a Good rating in the side-impact crash test when equipped with side-impact airbags, and a Poor rating for rear crash protection. The IIHS has not performed tests on the coupe version.

Ford must have taken last year’s dependability downgrade from J.D. Power and Associates seriously, because the market research firm says long-term dependability is back to being better than average for 2007. Furthermore, JDPower.com says the Mustang was the highest-ranked car in its class for Initial Quality. Consumer Reports also reflects an uptick in reliability, returning the Mustang to an average rating in 2007.

Despite the fact that the majority of Mustangs sold are of the V6 variety, Ford knows that enthusiasts love to talk about the performance models, so new Shelby editions of America’s favorite pony car roll out for 2007, and Ford dresses up the Mustang GT with new option packages that give the car a unique appearance. Ford has also bumped quality and reliability back up after a down year in 2006, and a favorable new side-impact crashworthiness measure shows that the Mustang is adept at protecting front seat occupants in a side-impact crash. Given these improvements, and the arrival of the stunningly powerful Shelby GT500 models, Vehix is happy to once again recommend the Ford Mustang.