And then there’s the 5.0. If the Ecoboost is the Mustang Ford built for the world, then this is the one they made for the hometown fans. It may have a horsie badge up front, but it kicks ass.

First of all, the Coyote V8 now cranks out 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. There’s a weight penalty, to be sure, but immediately that introduces a bit more sledgehammer character back into the reborn icon.

2015 Ford Mustang 5.0L GT engine bay, shifter. Click image to enlarge

It’s a beast, and the only disappointment is that it’s not particularly loud. Oh well, it’s not like unleashing the Coyote’s yip, growl, and grumble isn’t two clicks on Amazon away. Meantime, drop the windows and walk on it.

Even whilst giving it the beans, the Performance Package–equipped Mustang has nearly all the same well-bred behaviour as the Ecoboost, just with a big, lusty V8 lunge. It tucks into the corner in much the same way, but in addition to letting the momentum and low-end power carry you through, there’s joy to be found in wringing that big ‘8 up into the redline. Ford’s managed to build that most-difficult feature into its Mustang, the feeling that the car is shrinking around you. Seriously, how much is this thing? Thirty-seven grand plus adding on the performance package? And I can get a child seat back there? Huh.

Meanwhile, most of my colleagues are taking advantage of Ford’s hey-don’t-do-a-burnout-but-here’s-the-button-for-doing-one-wink-wink-nudge-nudge policy and using the Mustang’s new line-lock feature to paint big rubbery elevens all over the canyon’s pull out spots. Hilarious, sure, but the Mustang’s no one-trick pony. A Challenger would be able to smoke ’em up too, but the Mustang’s the one that could gallop back down the hill and leave the muscle car sucking wind through the corners.

With brakes that are now up to the task, a suspension set up for carving the corners, an interior environment that doesn’t feel like your grandmother’s plastic-coated floral-print couch any more, and a choice of either the workhorse V6, the smart four, or the eight that’ll put a big goofy grin on your face, the new Mustang is the genuine article.

L.A. is full of things that are fake. The new Mustang is something real. It’s priced accessibly enough not to be an extravagance, but it still provides the thrills of a far more expensive machine. Drive it into the mountains. See the stars. Do a burnout that says, “I was here.” Then go drive it to work so you can pay for the damn thing.

Pricing: 2015 Ford Mustang
Base Price (V6): $24,999
Base Price (Ecoboost 2.3): $27,999
Base Price (V8): $36,999
Freight & PDI: $1,600

Competitors:
BMW M4
Chevrolet Camaro
Dodge Challenger
Hyundai Genesis