CULVER CITY, Calif. — In 2005 when Ford introduced a total redo of Mustang few thought that it would still be the basis of the marque in 2011, but it is; and while the hard-points remain the same the 2011 is a remarkably different car than the 2005.

The importance of the changes made to Mustang in 2005 should never be underestimated, so significant that those changes gave new life to the venerable brand in its 40th year. What has happened in the last six years since is too significant as refreshening upon refreshening has enhanced Mustang so much that it has taken a leadership position in the rekindled “pony wars” since the rebirth of Chevy’s Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.

For 2011 the focus of most of the banter surrounding Mustang is the new V-6 with its 305-horsepower and 31-mile per gallon highway mileage assessment matched to a new six-speed automatic. (A six-speed manual is also available.) In itself a noteworthy achievement but far from the plethora of changes that makes Mustang more special than ever.

The 2010 Mustang refreshening was huge with all new interiors defined by its historical Mustang DNA. On the outside a new muscular, sculpted body with all new sheetmetal (except for the fastback roofline) and a new Mustang emblem – the first since the original ‘64½ model – in what Ford called a “modern evolution.”

For 2011 designers redid the front fascia, modified the underbody shields, and created a taller air dam. An already impressive suspension system was revised because of the higher performing engine horsepower and torque. Changes to the damper tuning and spring rates plus new rear lower control arms and stiffer stabilizer bushings improved the setup for better cornering and overall driving dynamics.

New larger brakes (12.4” rotors in front and 11.8” rotors in the rear) with four-wheel ABS; Electric Power Assist Steering; dual exhausts; a new instrument cluster; a limited slip differential; one-touch up/down power windows; electronic stability control; and numerous other power and safety items are standard equipment on the base model with the six-speed manual.

The base price for the coupe is $22,995 including delivery and destination charges; for the upscale Premium coupe with addition equipment including SYNC; a Shaker 500 audio system; leather seats; Satellite radio and more add about $3,000.

— Ted Biederman