While our drive impressions of the 2011 Mustang V6 and 2011 Mustang GT are still under a strict embargo until Monday, we can tell you one thing with certainty. That thing is pricing, and even though Ford has managed to add close to 100 horsepower to each car, the cash customers need to lay out has barely budged.
The 305-hp Mustang V6 starts at $22,995, while the 5.0-badged 412-hp Mustang GT starts at $30,495, with the V8 premium GT starting at $33,695. That’s some pretty potent bang for your buck, especially as both prices include destination charges. Consider that the starts at $23,530, a difference of $535. Of course, that’s for the 2010 Camaro, as Chevy has yet to release Camaro pricing for 2011.
The 426-horespower 2010 Camaro SS starts at $31,795, a difference of $1,300, with no 2011 prices announced yet. Of course, many people will be quick to point out that you do get more horsepower for the money (about $93 per pony according to our math). And paying more money for more power is always justified, right? Not so fast. Our friends over at Inside Line managed to (somehow) sneak the and record 395 horses at the rear wheels. Factor in about 12% parasitic drivetrain loss and you’re talking in excess of 440 horsepower. Dang. Of course, we’ve driven the car and we can tell you with some certainty [CENSORED].
As it stands, the re-ignited pony car wars just got a whole lot more hot.
2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 hits the dyno – Click above to watch the video
Ford says that the 2011 Mustang GT makes 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, thanks to its new, advanced 5.0-liter V8. Well, Ford may just be full of crap. Autojournos have descended upon California this week to to kick the snot out of the 2011 Mustangs at the Blue Oval’s invitation, and Inside Line took one of the new 5.0 GT models and strapped it to a Dynojet to see what the real numbers were. Thankfully, they do not disappoint.
It’s like this: after seven pulls, Inside Line’s tester reliably belted out 395 horsepower at 6,600 RPM and 365 pound-feet of torque at 4,350 rpm. That’s at the wheel, natch, and since IL estimates the ‘Stang sees only an 11% to 13% driveline loss thanks to its stick axle, the car is likely making somewhere between 438 and 446 horsepower at the crank – far more than the advertised 412.
This should come as no surprise to anyone, especially Inside Line. After all, last year only to learn that – surprise! – it was underrated. (Their tester put down 511 horsepower at the wheel. The guys figured the number at the crank to be around 570 horses, not the 540 advertised).
Is it possible that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT media launch testers are juiced? Sure it is, but we think it’s unlikely. Reason number one is that Ford would be exposed the moment customer cars started getting delivered and dynoed, which would then look really foolish. Reason number two is the 1999 SVT Cobra. Upon its release, that particular car became infamous for not making its advertised 320 horsepower. While Ford eventually made things right via a recall, the incident was clearly embarrassing and likely left Dearborn with a “never again” mentality that sticks to this day. Hence, we’re inclined to think Inside Line’s numbers are no fluke. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, with its new engine, is designed to punch the in the teeth and make it taste blood. By underrating the 5.0, Ford’s just, you know, making sure.
Stay tuned for our man Lieberman’s first drive impressions next week. In the meantime, of one of Inside Line’s dyno pulls and and read their full analysis. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
We just wrote about the report that is developing to challenge 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and that the GM version might – just maybe, possibly, perhaps – go into the . Ford, on the other hand, apparently has no immediate plans to put its powerful and frugal turbo V6 into its pony car, the .
The 3.7-liter V6 currently in the Mustang makes do with Ti-VCT technology, or twin independent variable camshaft timing, delivering 305 horsepower and 30-plus miles per gallon with a six-speed auto tranny. Ford hasn’t forsaken a turbocharged V6, though – The Blue Oval is simply leaving it to tuners to do, and encouraging them in the process. And with that kind of leg up, our guess is that those aftermarket efforts will probably be seen in three, two…
In the meantime, Ford is working on an EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder that Mustang purists can thank the Madonna of Lourdes will not be appearing in the engine bay of said coupes any time soon. Cooler heads realized that when you can do and get good mpg, we don’t need no stinkin’ four-cylinders.
Right now our man Jonny Lieberman is bombing around Southern California in both the and . Both cars have received major mechanical upgrades for model year 2011 in the form of two new engines: The return of the fabled 5.0-liter V8 for the GT and a new 3.7-liter V6 for the base model.
Jonny’s not allowed to talk about his experience behind the wheel of either car until early next week, but that won’t stop us from giving you a sneak preview of the Mustang V6 and its upgraded motor. The 3.7-liter V6 has already been used in such everyday fare as the , and . It’s also destined for duty in the . The 2011 Mustang V6, however, will give this work-a-day engine an opportunity to shine.
Producing 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, the Mustang’s version of the 3.7-liter V6 will be the most powerful available. Paired with a six-speed automatic, it will also make for the most fuel-efficient muscle car on the market with a highway rating of 31 mpg. But we’re not interested in fuel economy today. We’re interested in evidence of how much better the new V6 model will be compared to the current one, which has used the 210-horsepower “Cologne” 4.0-liter V6 since 2005. We think the image above is all the evidence we need. Stay tuned for our full First Drive reports of both models early next week.
While true fans will really only care that the new powertrains being introduced for 2011 produce substantially more power than before, Ford is equally interested in promoting their improved fuel economy. We already know about the new V6’s ratings from the EPA. On June 23, Ford will take a V6 Mustang to Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee and attempt to run over 1,000 laps on a single tank of gas. Bristol is one of NASCAR’s old school half-mile bullrings, so that means over 500 miles on a tank.
A crew of Ford test drivers will circle the track until the tank runs dry, hopefully topping the 1,000 lap mark. During the run-up to the event people can go to and guess how many jelly beans are in the jar how many laps the Mustang will complete before it’s running on fumes. Of those who guess correctly, Ford will randomly draw the name of one person who’ll win a 2011 Mustang V6. Hats off to Tim for the tip.
Yee-Ha! in a 2011 Ford Edge Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery Manufacturers used to roll out all-new cars every five-to-eight years. Somewhere around the halfway point -…
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GM’s next-generation HUD concept – Click above for high-res image gallery Currently, automakers use head-up displays to project important vehicle information (speed, navigation directions,…
2011 Ford Mustang V6 Pace Car – Click above for high-res image gallery
Historically, pace cars have been limited to the highest performing models of each brand. That’s about to change this weekend when the new 2011 V6 will serve as the pace car for NASCAR’s Food Land 500 at Bristol International Speedway. This will be the second time a Mustang has paced a NASCAR race this year after the in February.
Despite being the least powerful Mustang available for 2011, the V6 model will be more than capable of carrying out its duties thank to its new 3.7-liter engine and six-speed transmission. With 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, it should have no trouble setting the pace on Bristol’s half mile oval. The budget pony car will undoubtedly be one of the most efficient pace cars in history as well, with the on the highway. You can see the new 2011 Mustang V6 pace car in action by tuning into Fox this Sunday at 1:00 pm EST.
2011 Ford Mustang GT gets 1/3 more power, now up to 26 mpg
hwy! on Autoblog Green" href="http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/16/2011-ford-mustang-gt-gets-1-3-more-power-now-up-to-26-mpg-hwy/">2011 Ford Mustang GT gets 1/3 more power, now up to 26 mpg hwy!
Proof that Mustang > Camaro, at least in the mpg race.
Mitsubishi sends first i-MiEVs to Australia, will go on
sale in a few months on Autoblog Green" href="http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/16/mitsubishi-sends-first-i-mievs-to-australia/">Mitsubishi sends first i-MiEVs to Australia, will go on sale in a few months
When it was first announced that the 5.0-liter engine was making a return to the , none of us here at Autoblog were really that concerned with the fuel economy. We were all about the horsepower, and at 412 ponies underneath the hood, the 5.0 doesn’t disappoint. , however, was thinking about appearances and earth-hugging as well, and managed to make the 2011 Mustang even more efficient than the 2010 model despite all that extra extra power. According to the numbers released today, the new Mustang GT gets 17 miles-per-gallon city and 26 mpg highway with the six-speed manual and 18/25 mpg with the six-speed automatic.
These numbers are not only a huge improvement from the 2010 Mustang with the 4.6-liter V8 (15/23 mpg w/manual, 15/22 mpg w/automatic), but they also best the figures achieved by the SS – 16/24 mpg when equipped with a manual and 16/25 mpg with the automatic. As reported earlier, the 2011 Mustang V6 claims top honors against its Camaro counterpart as well with an in six-speed automatic form.
So what accounts for the improved fuel economy despite the increase in displacement and horsepower? According to Ford, having an extra gear in the car’s transmissions play a large role in addition to the Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) that can quickly adjust the intake and exhaust valves. Read more about the Mustang’s powertrain improvements for 2011 after the break.
2011 Ford Mustang V6 at the 2009 LA Auto Show – Click above for high-res image gallery
The pony car wars are about one-upsmanship if nothing else. The held court for years while and had their horses on hiatus, but times have changed. The new has been whaling on the Mustang ever since its return, beating the Ford in sales for nine months straight and offering a range engines that are at once more powerful and efficient than the Blue Oval’s aging mills. Advantage: Camaro.
The Mustang, however, received a nicely executed redesign for its 2010 model year and, as is Ford’s way, the automaker waited another model year to introduce its new range of engines. You already know all about the on this year’s new Mustang GT. You also know that the V6 model is replacing its Civil War era 4.0-liter engine with a . Powerful as in 305 horsepower, but how efficient? We didn’t know before but we do now. The 2011 Ford Mustang V6 will achieve 19 miles per gallon in the city and, more noteworthy, 31 mpg on the highway.
The V6 model’s rating of 30 mpg highway (when paired with the six-speed auto mind you, the manual version achieves 30 mpg) is noteworthy because, well, it’s 2 mpg more than the slightly less powerful 304-hp Camaro V6. Also, it’s a record for being the first 300+ hp vehicle to be officially rated at 30 mpg or more. Wow, think about that. It’s never been done before. Sure, the new Mustang V6 is only marginally more powerful and efficient than its Camaro counterpart, but clawing above that 30 mpg mark will no doubt get Ford’s thoroughbred some extra ink in the press.
Follow the jump for Ford’s official press release on the matter, in which it explains a little more how those magic numbers were achieved (Spoiler: aerodynamics, super smart six-speed auto and electric power assisted steering).
Gallery:
[Source: Ford]
Mustang V6 rated 31 mpg highway, most efficient 300+ HP car ever
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2009 was not a banner sales year for the . Despite a complete makeover for the 2010 model year, sales of the usually successful pony car topped off at 66,623, an all time low. The Mustang still managed to, but sold fewer Mustangs for each month that the was actually on showroom floors.
Enter the 2011 Mustang. Apparently, a 305-horsepower V6 that gets 30 mpg and a 5.0-liter V8 putting out 412 horsepower does wonders for sales. Ford is reporting that three times more 2011 Mustangs have been ordered than 2010 models at this same time last year. In total, 11,000 Mustangs have been ordered since January.
Customers have been particularly taken with the V6 model, which makes up half of all the orders, and the California Special has also fared better than expected, tripling Ford’s initial sales projections. Ford says that 41-percent of 2011 Mustang orders have been for the GT model, who will surely enjoy rollin’… in their five-point-ohs, and the remaining nine percent have been for GT500s. Hit the jump for the full press release from Ford.
