Ford's latest 2024 Mustang model arrives with meaningful performance enhancements right out of the gate. The base model is now equipped with a spruced-up 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that confidently delivers 315 horsepower and an assertive 350 pound-feet of torque. This marks a modest 5-horsepower increase over its predecessor, albeit slightly shy of the previous EcoBoost Performance model's 330 horsepower.

The EcoBoost version commits to modern smoothness with a 10-speed automatic transmission standard across the board. However, it’s the Mustang GT that caters to the enthusiasts of the stick shift. The revered 5.0-liter V-8 engine of the Mustang GT doesn't just return—it roars back with an uptick in power, boasting 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which edges out the last generation’s Coyote V-8 by 30 horsepower and subtracts just 5 pound-feet of torque.

This muscular heart is paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, reinforcing the Mustang GT's allure for drivers who yearn for the tactile, engaged driving experience that only a manual can provide. Thus, the 2024 Mustang honors its lineage by advancing in power and performance while preserving the mechanical symphony between car and driver that is so characteristic of the Mustang legacy.