We were looking for just the right destination to take the zippy six-speed 2015 Ford Mustang to, and found its match in the Salish Lodge and Spa otherwise known as The Great Northern Hotel.
Pairing one great American pop culture icon with another, our road trip took us down the I5 just a half hour outside of Seattle, to one of the most luxurious West coast getaways imaginable: a gorgeous lodge nestled against the 268-foot high Snoqualmie Falls, a setting made famous by David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.
The focus of our road trip was to experience the hotel’s Great Northern Escape, in honour of Twin Peak’s hopeful third season to air on Showtime in 2016. This week also happens to mark the 25th anniversary of the first episode.
Another milestone: April 17, 2014 marked Ford’s 50th anniversary of the original Mustang. Having been born in 1963, I can truly say that I’ve grown up in the culture of Mustang.
First Impressions on the Road
– Lots of power under the hood
– Seats support your back
– Car handles well with excellent pick up and suspension
We don’t get many chances to get into sixth gear, but once on the open road, we were able to test the Mustang’s prowess and we’re happy to report that it’s quite the beast! Everything about this car says GO. This car longs for an open stretch of road. You get the feeling of being at one with the car, especially once you get used to knowing how the car handles in each gear.
Key Features
– 3.7-liter V6, 300 hp, 280 lb.-ft. torque; 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine
– A lower, wider stance with a reduction in roof height; wider rear fenders and track
– A sleeker profile enabled by more steeply sloped windshield and rear glass
– Contemporary execution of signature shark-bite front fascia and trapezoidal grille
– Updated manual gearbox, all-new front and rear suspension systems
– New double-ball-joint front MacPherson struts enable use of larger, more powerful brakes
– Intelligent Access with push-button start
– Advanced stability control system to maximize Mustang’s dynamic capabilities
– SYNC AppLinkTM for controlling smart phone apps
The EcoBoost uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging to deliver plenty of usable performance and projected segment-leading fuel efficiency. The Mustang’s got independent front and rear suspension, giving good grip around curvy roads and bumpy conditions.
For a car of this weight and strength, we found the gas consumption on par with its power. We didn’t explore cruise or adaptive cruise control on this trip, preferring to stay focused on the car’s performance and overall handling.
Safety Features
– AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control
– Eight airbags (fastback models)
– Industry-first passenger knee airbag system packaged inside the glove box door
– MyKey® programmable vehicle key with support for up to four fobs
– Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System
– Adaptive collapsible steering column
[2015 Ford Mustang; photo courtesy of Ford Canada]
The 2015 Ford Mustang starts at $23,600, plus $825 destination and delivery, and taxes.
We were invited to test drive the 2015 Ford Mustang courtesy of Ford Canada. Opinions, as always, are my own.
