When news broke that rental car agency Hertz was introducing a "Dream Car Program" program to give customers a chance to rent a supercar, we didn't know that the company was also giving its famous fleet of airport rental cars another a pretty bad-ass ride to its Adrenaline Series of rental muscle and sports cars.
Together with Penske Racing, Hertz is introducing the special-edition Ford Mustang GT, appropriately dubbed as the Hertz Penske Mustang GT. Instantly recognizable, the special edition muscle car carries the familiar black and gold paint scheme while also featuring a slew of new components and even a performance upgrade to give customers a chance to experience the exhilaration of driving a hopped-up Mustang GT.
On top of the sexy two-tone color scheme of the body, the exterior of the muscle car also received a new front splitter from the Boss 302 and a rear valence from the Shelby GT500.
Inside, the cabin is what you'd come to expect from Penske Racing: Recaro racing seats, custom floor mats, special door sill plates and even the gauge pod from the Laguna Seca Mustang. Additionally, this rental racer also features all the goodies that came from Ford, including the touchscreen infotainment system, a GPS and a back-up camera.
Under the hood, the Mustang's 5.0-liter V-8 engine received the full performance treatment with an optimized ECU, a new air intake and a four-tailpipe exhaust system. The engine is backed up by a set of 3.55 gears to help improve acceleration. No performance numbers were released, but we won't be surprised if this Mustang packs close to 600 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 0-to-60 mph time of 4 seconds and a top speed of about 185 mph.
Keeping the modded Stang on the road is an upgraded suspension system -- no details were given on what was upgraded -- and a Brembo braking system.
All that is well and good but the best part about this special edition Mustang is that it will become part of Hertz's newly established Adrenaline Collection and will be available to rent at "select U.S. airport locations."
Click past the jump to read about the Ford Mustang GT
2014 Ford Mustang GT by Hertz and Penske Racing
- Make: Array
- Model: 2014 Ford Mustang GT by Hertz and Penske Racing
- Engine/Motor: V8
- Horsepower: 600
- Torque: 500
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Ford Mustang GT
Bad to the bone with some spitting attitude to boot, the Ford Mustang GT is one of the most iconic muscle cars in American automotive history.
The latest incarnation of this muscle car carries some noticeable changes, including the more aggressive design with a more prominent grille, a new hood, and new LED signature lighting. There is also an optional GT Track Package that brings an engine cooler, an upgraded radiator, performance friction brake pads, and the same Torsen differential found on the Mustang Boss 302.
Best of all, the 5.0-liter V-8 powertrain found under the hood of this vehicle now packs 420 horsepower, eight more than its predecessor.