Performance Numbers: 2015 Ford Mustang GT versus 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8 that generates 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. With any engine, a six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional.

Mustangs have always been available with both an automatic and a manual transmission. That’s because both transmissions are perfect for a type of driver. Picking the transmission that best fits your driving style can be a tough choice sometimes, especially when it comes to purchasing a muscle car.

Yes, there is a rev-matching feature (but not for the manual ‘box) One of the primary talking points for the 2015 Mustang has been its new rev-match downshift feature.

If you have the four-inch instrument cluster display, use the five-way control on the steering wheel to scroll down from the main menu to “Track Apps”. Then press the right arrow on the steering wheel to view more options. Scroll down to “Rev Match” and press “OK” to uncheck the box. Now, rev matching will be disabled.

So drivers often like to turn auto-rev-matching off. However, in every manual BMW for as long as auto-rev-matching has been a thing, the only way to turn the function off was to also turn traction control and stability control all the way off.

2019 models and up all come standard with rev matching. The other models you would have to see the inside your dash screen to see if it was added to your car as a feature. You can always buy the feature for like 300$.

The 2019 Ford Mustang GT Fastback comes standard with the 6-speed manual transmission with rev matching and a base MSRP of $40,289.

Today, however, it’s not unusual for the exact same car to be slightly quicker with an automatic or automated-manual transmission. By 50 mph, the 10A was 0.4 ahead, at 60 mph 0.5, at 70 mph 0.6, and at 100 mph, the automatic was a full second ahead of the manual.

If you enjoy driving and would love to go on long drives, I would suggest a manual as it’s more engaging. However if the car is more of a means of commuting from point to point, it’s better to go in for an automatic.

This technology has been included on various Ford models since 2011, for both automatic and manual transmissions. However, its effects are much more noticeable on cars that feature stick shifts, such as the Mustang, Fiesta, and Focus. Hill Start Assist was offered on manual transmission Mustangs beginning in 2013.

Rev matching is a technique used to change gears smoothly and with minimal disruption to the car’s balance. It’s also commonly known as blipping the throttle. Specifically, the aim is to match the speed of the engine with the speed of the transmission.

The Auto Blip feature applies a short burst of throttle when the driver is down-shifting under braking. This raises the RPM to help provide a smooth entry into the lower gear, reducing engine braking and shock to the transmission.

Push a button in the centre console marked “Auto Blip”, flick that stubby gear lever, and the engine will automatically increase the revs just so during downshifts. That saves you having to heel-and-toe during braking when driving energetically.

iRacing does have a “blip” feature, and in the real-world, the new Corvettes actually have it. As you downshift, the throttle automatically “blips” for more of a smooth transition, and to maintain power or drive to the wheels.

Clutchless lift-shifting is about the fastest, together with using a button clutch (using the clutch to upshift is not necessary though). Shifting off the limiter is now slower and unreliable. Autoclutch is also slower, made so deliberately by iRacing as it is considered a driver aid.

Despite the new transmission model, you are not required to use a clutch pedal, which is obviously good news for folks with two-pedal setups.