Tyre recommendations for S650 Mustang GT

[kuribojim]

Mustang's have some weirdness to their chassis behavior that is probably why so many of them end up crashing into poles or facing backwards out of hedge. Of all the RWD cars I've driven, from low to high powered, none have felt like a Mustang.

Because all Australian Mustang's have been delivered with the Performance Pack fitted (S550 and S650), they actually have a lot of dry road grip from the wider wheel and tyre package. The main problem isn't necessarily a lack of grip, it's when they exceed that high grip threshold, quite often when going quite fast.

When the rear lets go, its extremely abrupt. I haven't properly messed with the S650 yet, but that sudden break-away on the S550 could become quite alarming. The dynamic stability control would allow far too much slip before chiming in abruptly, usually with a large dose of opposite lock applied, which then promotes a tank-slapper type situation. Compared to Australian-designed DSC systems, they would chime in earlier but less aggressively, so they worked with the driver rather than giving too much leeway, then slamming down like a leather strap to a poorly behaved child.

If you look at a S550 or S650 from side on, take note of how short the wheel-base is relative to the overall length of the vehicle, especially the front overhang. This shortness of wheelbase and amount of weight sitting right out front makes the car less predictable when approaching and exceeding the limit. I've also found the steering seems to lack a natural counter steering effect, again making for strong tank-slapper handling. In addition to that, the steering doesn't really tell you what's happening, both S550 and S650.

Note that this is at the extreme end of the car's capability. If you respect the car and drive within your own limits, these are very entertaining cars to drive, very capable. So, don't be afraid of the car, its limits are higher than you might think.

This is really insightful, thank you. What you’re saying makes 100% sense - I will really never push this car to its limits I think, I’m just not super interested in that. What I’m enjoying so far is the linearity of the torque curve. It feels highly consistent as you apply power all through the band. I am really loving this, personally. There isn’t a crazy amount of power at the low end, which I personally like, because it makes the car feel more predictable and less squirrelly.

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[DFB5.0]

This is really insightful, thank you. What you’re saying makes 100% sense - I will really never push this car to its limits I think, I’m just not super interested in that. What I’m enjoying so far is the linearity of the torque curve. It feels highly consistent as you apply power all through the band. I am really loving this, personally. There isn’t a crazy amount of power at the low end, which I personally like, because it makes the car feel more predictable and less squirrelly.

Yep, I feel the same way. Personally, I think the high-revving nature of the engine is what makes the car feel and sound special. I know people go gaga over turbocharged performance engines, but very few of them light my fire. As you mentioned, turbo's don't have that lovely natural build of power and torque, nor do they reward revving them out as they fall on their face at higher revs. Boring.

And they sound too muffled in terms of induction note, which means the car companies compensate with hideous popping and farting from the exhaust or pump artificial sound into the cabin (cough, BMW, cough, AMG, cough Corvette).

I remember early on when the Mustang arrived late 2015, many were coming out of forced-induction Falcon's, be that the I6 Turbo or the supercharged Miami V8. The complaint was, the Coyote was gutless down low. Umm...........................just rev it harder, is that not what car enthusiasts like to do?

 

[LouG]

I had the same Pirelli P Zero PZ4's on my Cupra Ateca, and went to Mich PS5. They were much superior, especially on turn in. The PS4S would be better still, but I wanted better tread life.
I'll probably go the same way on the Ford

 

[LouG]

Yep, I feel the same way. Personally, I think the high-revving nature of the engine is what makes the car feel and sound special. I know people go gaga over turbocharged performance engines, but very few of them light my fire. As you mentioned, turbo's don't have that lovely natural build of power and torque, nor do they reward revving them out as they fall on their face at higher revs. Boring.

And they sound too muffled in terms of induction note, which means the car companies compensate with hideous popping and farting from the exhaust or pump artificial sound into the cabin (cough, BMW, cough, AMG, cough Corvette).

I remember early on when the Mustang arrived late 2015, many were coming out of forced-induction Falcon's, be that the I6 Turbo or the supercharged Miami V8. The complaint was, the Coyote was gutless down low. Umm...........................just rev it harder, is that not what car enthusiasts like to do?

I have to agree. My last car, a turbo 2L would be as quick to 100 as the Mustang if launch was used.
But there's no way it'd stay with the Ford in a roll on. And you can't beat the way a powerful RWD car squats and squirms on corner exit.

 

[5.0ALM]

Move over Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is in town!

There's a new tyre on the market aiming to be the best of the best performance summer tyres.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is designed to take on the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Continental SportContact 7, Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 and more, but can the latest UUHP summer tyre on the market really move the game on in both handling AND grip?

There's only one way to find out - testing!

If you prefer the written article version:
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/Best-Performance-Summer-Tyres-For-2025.htm

 

[Brisvegas]

Move over Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is in town!

Had a quick search and looks like only OEM mercedes sizes avaialble atm . Certainly will be on my list when they are available in Mustang sizes . Been watch Tyre reviews for a couple years and its a good resource . I believe a new Michelin PS5S is close as well so interested in a review on those as well . Got new wheels coming soon so happy to see new options

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