Actually 5.0 stangs put out 225 HP. Some of Fords own specs point to a 215 HP rating at lower RPMs for the later models. The reason why no one knows for sure could be to get under some insurance guidlines for high performance cars...of course Im speculating.
Nevertheless....having both driven a 5.0 stang and imports alike I can tell ya...nothing is better than the power of a big V8 engine. The available power under your right foot is the best. Horsepower-shmorshpower. Torque is where its at. Alot of good a high revving 4 banger is...you have to tach it up just to get some decent performance (a la Civic Si)
Dont get me wrong I drive two imports currently.....and the new Altima SE with a 240HP V6 5speed that I had the chance to rag on was a freakin fast sedan!!! The new Altima SE does 14.6 in the quarter!!! Thats amazing...but try to compete with it or the Maxima against a mustang on a race track and the mustang will school both the Max and the Alty in every way.
A few months ago Sport Compact Car road tested a new Mustang GT against a Integra Type R on a race track. If memory serves me correct to the shock of the Magazine staffers the plain Jane GT bested the Integra by 2 seconds a lap. Not bad for an outdated mustang. High revving small displacement engines have there place no doubt but big V8 performance is something that must be experienced to be appreciated. Afterall there is a reason AA fueler dragsters have 8 cylinders and not 4.