My Dream Steed: the 2011 Ford Mustang at the 2009 LA Auto Show

You probably wouldn’t believe it, but what I consider to be my first car was actually a battery powered, bright pink, Barbie convertible (I was three at the time). As I grew older I kept my love for convertibles, but I needed something a bit more substantial. Enter my dream steed: the Ford Mustang. So I’m sure it’s not surprise when I say I was beside myself when I saw a shiny red 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 on the exhibition floor.

My childhood convertible looks like an undernourished colt next to this stallion. It’s got a 3.7 liter, 24 valve engine with dual-over-head-camshaft (DOHC). The camshaft uses Ford’s twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCI) resulting in 305 horsepower and 280ft.lb of torque. Even with all this extra flair under the hood, it gets an estimated 30mpg highway. No other car has this combination. How’s that for a little muscle?

The 2011 Mustang has also gotten some changes to improve handling. It now comes with an Electric Power Assist Steering system that eliminates the drag the steering pump creates. You can now find a new rear lower control arm and stiffened stabilizer bar bushings that make turning those corners a much smoother experience.

The 2011 Mustang can pick up speed easily, but it can stop just as quickly now that it’s equipped with 11.5 inch front and 11.8 inch rear ABS disc brakes. To add to its safety features, it also now features AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control.

Of course, you can’t forget Ford’s awesome tech bling. This 2011 Ford Mustang comes with Ford SYNC. The feature is full of goods like directions and information, Vehicle Health report, and 911 Assist. All these perks jut make me crazier about the car. It was so hard to leave it behind at the Auto Show.