The redesigned Ford Mustang takes on one of the sappiest ballads in the history of music to prove it makes everything more exciting.

Matt tests the new Ford Mustang Ecoboost on one of Malibu's bumpiest canyon roads. With the new IRS and the torque shove of a turbo, could this be the perfect canyon carver Mustang?

And when it comes to Japanese wheels, there’s really no model more iconic than the Volk Racing TE37. From the moment the idea of picking up a new Mustang crossed my mind, I had visions of bronze-colored TE37s filling the fenders. So almost immediately after taking delivery of my Mustang in January, I wanted to get in touch with our partners at RAYS Wheels to see if they’d be interested in supplying some forged Japanese goodness for this project.

Once I learned that RAYS was happy to be onboard with my plan, I was ecstatic, but then came the difficult task of figuring out exactly which wheel and size would be best suited for this car. The factory wheels on the EcoBoost Mustang with Performance Package are 19 inches in diameter, and research told me that stepping up one size to a 20-inch wheel could easily be done. Once upon a time the notion of a Mustang with 20s would, to me, be out of place everywhere except a rap music video, but today it’s a common wheel size for a number of performance cars. Oh how things have changed!

It’s only recently that the TE37 has become available in a 20-inch size – and that’s all thanks to the introduction of the new TE37 Ultra last year. While the 20-inch-only TE37 Ultras were originally designed for use on the Nissan GT-R, they’ve also become available in fitments for other cars, and I was pleased to find RAYS offering sizes that I thought would work perfect on my Mustang.

Even with performance upgrades I didn’t think the 2.3-liter engine would need steam roller tires to put its power down, and I also favored the more balanced handling characteristics that a square setup gives. Each of the wheels measure 20×10-inch with an offset of +30, and while that’s slightly more aggressive than the recommended fitment, I felt this size could be pulled off without looking awkward. In this particular size the TE37 Ultra also comes with the ‘Face 3′ design, which to me gives the spokes the perfect amount of concavity.

As for the new ones: 54.6lbs each. That’s five pounds of unsprung weight removed from each corner, which is even more impressive considering the new wheels and and tires are significantly larger than the stock stuff.

The tires measure 275/35R20 all around and to me this sizing makes for a perfect middle ground between thick and meaty and thin and stretched. It’s all about balance.

I was also curious to see what kind of difference I’d feel while driving the car. 20 pounds of unsprung weight savings might not sound like much, but it’s immediately noticeable in terms of steering feel and response. Overall, the car feels lighter on its feet, and while I’ve yet to really push it, the added grip of the 275 Nittos on each corner is noticeable even during moderately spirited driving. I’m certainly looking forward to my next expedition into the hills!

This video highlights standard and optional parts on the all new 2015 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang.

Is it better to buy a new EcoBoost Mustang, or -for equal money- a Fiesta ST and a whole bunch of go-fast parts? Matt Farah decides.

Is it better to buy a new EcoBoost Mustang, or -for equal money- a Fiesta ST and a whole bunch of go-fast parts?