Last week, Motor Trend magazine announced the winner of its annual “Pony Expressed” competition in the April issue. And it’s no surprise that one of your favorite Ford vehicles took home the prize.

That’s right. The 2008 Ford Shelby Mustang won the comparison test when pitted against other brands like the Saleen and Roush on performance and value.

Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Motors, said the company has learned a lot during the time it has been manufacturing quality cars:  “Every lesson we learned while earning our stripes over the past 46 years is built into these pony cars.”

Motor Trend officials conduct their competition by assembling their own models of the Shelby, Roush and Saleen brands. They create a base of each vehicle with optional upgrades and tire/brake packages. Then they take them out on the streets and design competition courses.

The Shelby was the clear winner this time. In the Figure 8 competition, the Shelby Mustang had the best acceleration and highest speed while maintaining control. The fade-free brakes, crisp turns and gripping ability made it stand out from the Roush and the Saleen. The Shelby’s appearance also impressed the test officials.

According to Matt Stone, executive editor at Motor Trend, the Shelby GT had the “most cohesive package, delivering the best combination of components, style and bang for buck.”

Check out a Shelby Mustang GT today and see why it’s an award-winning vehicle.