After watching a video comparing the handling of a 2011 Mustang GT to a BMW M3, I am baffled about what Ford has done to improve the handling by that much. Race driver Randy Pobst even said the 2011 Mustang GT is a better balanced car than the BMW M3 :
So here's the question I've been asking myself for weeks:

Why is the current 2013 Mustang GT such a better balanced and better handling car compared to my 2007 Mustang GT when it has the same chassis, wheelbase, dimensions, weight, and the same MacPherson struts?

Car and Driver tested the 2007 Mustang GT they gave it a roadholding skidpad rating: 0.89g

Motortrend tested the 2013 Mustang GT they gave it a roadholding skidpad rating: 0.94g

Even with the Ford Racing Handling Pack installed on my 2007 Mustang GT (with sway bars, strut tower brace, and springs that lower the car by 1.5 inches) I cannot achieve a rating of .94g skidpad.

What has Ford done to improve the handling that much? Have the PZero Nero Summer Tires made that much of an impact on handling?
Any thoughts?

 

Tires make a huge difference skidpad / grip measurements.

 

Don't know how accurate Fords built in G meter is in the Accelerometer is but this is from my 2013 V6 Performance package

 

The mid-cycle refresh in 2011 addressed: engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension (there is much more, but these are the four big ones). For suspension, ALL of the rates were changed and re-tuned for the springs, struts, shocks, and sway bars. Yes, tires play a huge role in handlinG dynamics. But using much more agressive rates for these components transformed the handling of the car, to make it a legitimate sports car. See Motor Trend's article describing some of this:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...all.html?ti=v3

 

I had a 2007 GT, and there was noticeable difference in the steering feel, body lean minimization, and rebound dampening between it and the 2010 GT, which was based on the '08-'09 Bullitt. So the changes were already starting ahead of the new engines. Of course, there was the 2010 Track Pack, which also saw the introduction of the stickier Pirelli summer tires.

The 2011 changes made even more of a transformation, as noted above.

Another thing that happened was some additional strengthening of the coupe body in 2008, which was carried over in the 2010+ chassis. This was done to support the improvements for the GT500. A stiffer platform does wonders for handling improvements.

 

I drove a leftover 09 GT and (then new) 10 GT back to back. It was night and day. Everything felt more refined and stiffer. The 09 had rattles already. It wiggled down the road like a PI Crown Vic. There was no way I would've bought the 09 after driving the 10, no matter how cheap they would've given it to me.

 

The only thing that kind of annoys me about my car is I come close to getting a nose bleed every time I get in. What's up Ford? You couldn't have lowered it a little. I mean there's like 3 whole inches to play with before you hit the top of the front tire. Sheesh. Just kidding. But kind of not really.

 

NOPE! Removing the two rear seats would make it a sports car, its still a pony car.

 

So a Porsche 911 isn't a sports car?

 

In their ads, the Porsche is apparently a school bus and pickup truck, too.

I've done 2 track days so far in my stock 2011 GT... I can NOT wait until I have cash saved up for some REAL wheels and tires for this! Even with the relatively slower speeds I was going, they were still a LOT of fun!

The Pirelli all-season tires are NOT track tires. There is so much more cornering and braking I'm itching to make use of... hehe

 

What tires do you plan to go with?

 

I'm going to get in on this one

With Porsche and its rear engine there is no choice but to have something there so it may as well be seats. It's body would be way to short if it was just rear engine, front seats hood. Sports cars are built to be no bigger than needed and have top power for its time. I.E. Porsche, Vette.

As I see it, mustang is pony car and that goes for all versions no matter how awesome its numbers are. It's designed bigger than its performance needs. Plus I like the name pony car

All those little "sports cars" are not sports cars either I.E. brz, miata, genesis coupe. They do not have top power for their time. I just call them little cars

 

Allow me to clarify. Folks in this post are technically correct in that a 'sports car' must have only two seats. What I meant by 'legitimate sports car' (in my original post above) is that the Mustang GT really improved it's handling and chassis dynamics with the 2011 MCR (so did the 2011 GT500, BTW). So much so, that the car (in stock form) could actually be compared to benchmark cars known for excellent handling and track performance, at half the cost. The 2011 Mustang GT's handling impressed virtually every journalist that had the opportunity to put it through its paces.

 

AutoX a miata. Or hell just find a tight country road. You'll change that tune quick. Personaly the feel for the road ease of control and predictability at the edge makes the miata a great Sport car. I've never driven a genesis or brz but if the brz is as good as a miata then it is one hell of a car. Power is great and makes quick smiles easy. But cars have to do more than just accelerate.

 

"Probably" Nitto 555's in either 255's or 275's all around. Most likely on 18x9 GT500 rims. Not definite yet, and I won't be buying now at the start of winter. I'll do more checking around come spring.

 

Nitto 555 isn't a track tire either ...

 

Well, I need a good summer tire that will suffice for track days. I can't run slicks on the roads and can't do 3 sets of tires, either. The Nitto's will be a big step up from the stock Pirelli's. I'm not trying to set any record lap times here.

 

You can safely go with a good Max Performance Summer tire, and you'll be fine. There are decent prices for: Kumho, Hankook, Sumitomo, BFG, Continental.

 

Don't get me wrong they are great cars but none of those cars can accelerate in the top bracket of performance cars. Miata does 0-60 in the 7's and 1/4 mile in the 15's. most luxury sedans do better than that.

Power+ handling + designed for track first/ street second = sports car for me

 

Fixed. But again, acceleration numbers don't tell the whole story. Proper "sports cars" have never had to have been the top accelerating cars on the market. It was about the whole experience. By your own admission, if every day family sedans are that quick, then do you not consider them sports cars??