2011 marks a serious turning point in the muscle car wars. Not only did the average horsepower number for V8 engines climb well over the 400 horsepower mark, but Detroit automakers finally started taking their “base” model vehicles seriously. While credit goes to the Camaro for being the first American muscle car to offer a 300+ horsepower V6 engine, many would argue that Ford’s 3.7 liter, 305 horsepower V6 wins the day.

It is videos like the one above that make the case better than we ever could. This 2011 3.7 liter V6 Mustang has just become the first naturally aspirated V6 Mustang of its generation to run 12’s in the ¼ mile. Best of all, it was done with all very basic bolt-on modifications!

There’s no doubt that the Mustang V6 has some power potential (exploding driveshafts notwithstanding). We’ve already seen what a supercharged Mustang V6 can do on the dragstrip, but going all motor takes some pretty big cajones. To that end, this Mustang got a cold air intake, a 93 octane AM/Bama tune, BBK LT headers, 3:73 gears, and an aluminum driveshaft among other modifications.

Along with some Mickey Thompson ET Street drag radials, this Mustang V6 sounds vicious and runs wild, netting an impressive 12.9 @ 106 mph. No nitrous, no supercharger, no turbo, just all American motor backed by a six-speed manual. This makes it the first V6 Mustang into the 12’s, beating the next closest competitor, who ran an automatic and a 13.02 in the ¼ mile.

We know, everyone loves the Mustang GT. But sometimes, it’s nice to see the underdog kicking a little ass, don’t you think?