Ford Innovation Through Performance Experience (July 16-17, 2015)

21 July 2015

Ford Innovation Through Performance Experience

(July 16-17, 2015)

DAY 1

Everyone hates queen bees, you always wait for them and they always arrives as last. During my first official Ford Mustang test drive made in Italy, Trenitalia has been crucial for me to skip the lunch and arrive in an epic delay. But the traffic jam in Rome has done the rest . I reached the Ford dealer Car Point with two hours and 40 minutes delay… a drama! Fortunately the excellent organization of the event took care about me by giving me one of the available cars in here: a family Focus ST and one of the nicest travel companion I have ever had Lorenzo Ermigiotti. Our journey started with a few bumps: the GPS lost itself a couple of time volte (and also we), but after some U –turns we went back on the track. In the high way everything was good, between, some chatting, a coffeein an autogrill we have also done some performance tests of the family Focus ST (which it was up to expectations of the segment to which it belongs ). We achieved the real spectacle when we reached and visit Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso: dug into the rock, this center is home to highest level experiments, with international partnerships from more than 20 years. A multicultural and Multilanguage environment, which, from my personal opinion, represents Italian excellence and that should be considered more. After a tour in the underground labs (the entrance was incredible, a huge shiny metal door, looks like the one in Bond movies or the 51 Area), and after an interesting explaination of the experiments done and also about those in progress (neutrinos, dark matter …), we went back to our cars. The route chosen by the organizers, within the Gran Sasso natural reserve, was worthy of the best episodes of Top Gear: asphalt of good quality, curves and breathtaking views. Some shots were inevitable. The hotel at which we arrived, after about an hour of exciting twists, it was really a unique experience: it consists of an entire medieval village, Sextantio, located on the top of a hill overlooking the valley. I have never been in a hotel like this, which has been restored in a conservative way and it was really unusual and fascinating. The only flaw is the height of the ceilings: they had to be dwarfs in the Middle Ages! After a quick shower and an aperitif with an amazing view on the valley, we went to one of the castle rooms for having an amazing dinner rich of local typical products.

DAY 2

The second day started really early: we made some cars shots, have breakfast in front of the valley view, an interview to Mr. Marco Alù (Director for External Relations of Ford Italy) where we tried to understand what can we expect as enthusiasts (in short time you will find the interview on our site) and we finally got the keys of a full optional Miami Yellow Ford Mustang GT 2015. Ford didn’t disappointed the expectations of the Enthusiasts, The car look, drives and runs great! The external differences between the European and the American Version are very easy to spot: First of all the European version of the GT has the performance package installed as standard. This means Brembo™ 6-piston front brake calipers with larger rotors, Strut-tower brace, Larger radiator, Unique chassis tuning, Upsized rear sway bar, Heavy-duty front springs, Instrument panel appliques are Engine Turn aluminum, Interior gauge pack (oil pressure and vacuum), K-brace, Unique 19”x 9” (front) 19”x 9.5” (rear) Ebony Black aluminum wheels, 255/40R19 (front) 275/40R19 (rear) summer only tires, Unique stability control, EPAS and ABS tuning, 3.73 TORSEN® rear axle, Spoiler delete. The hood is without vents, the daylights has been placed together with the fog lights the side marker become turning lights, the rear lights are a clear and fume, with the most external light of the tribar used as a turning light. Unfortunately the sequential tails light are not legal in Europe. The reverse light is placed together with the rear fog light. Last but not least the mirrors, that are smaller than the American version, with an integrated turning light and also reclosable. The interior with Recaro seats are something impressive, and make each session an experience; despite the race setting, it does not sacrifice the comfort of driving. Surprisingly I discovered that the section on the track app, despite predictions of skeptics, was maintained (including option line lock for burnout, unfortunately disabled in the car we had for test, but available and turned on the car at the time of withdrawal from dealers). We made a very detailed Test drive, using all the Selectable Drive Modes. The Handling, the Engine answer, the brakes are top of the class. The car also has a better weight distribution. The general sensation we felt is Ford let the mustang make a qualitative leap forward. It seems that a lot of the Enthusiasts requests has been listen. After a lot of stops for taking pictures, 2-3000 doughnuts, a driver change (well, yes, I had to leave to drive even Lorenzo, my traveling companion, otherwise I would never forgive !) a million of horning on the highway and but also many thumbs up, we gave the auto back to the dealer Car Point from where we start our journey. What we can say? We saw the faces of the people who usually writes about cars, get out of this car with a smile all around their faces. My journey companion, who writes about technology, was laughing as a child at each acceleration. Which is its potential? The emotions, the smiles that this car gives us; the sound which lull you during the journey. Will this car be successful? In our opinion yes and if the also the official sales numbers in Italy are confirming that: over the all the best expectations! Purchasing prices are really interesting: it starts from 36.000 € for the Eco-boost fastback version, arriving to 47.000 € for a GT convertible full optional. Which kind of car can you find with the same price can offer you that number of horses and optional? No one on the market! Which is the price that you give to an emotion? For us they are PRICELESS!! Go Guys! GO FURTHER!!!