Positive Post of the Day: Ford Blesses Base Mustang With 315HP V6

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Ford has announced that its 3.7-liter V6 will power the base (in the entry level sense of the word) Mustang for the 2011 model year. The Mustang Source reports that the mill will produce 315HP, which represents a 105 horsepower boost over the current V6-powered Mustang. That’s also 11 horsepower better than the Chevrolet Camaro V6, for those of you who think the term “Pony car wars” doesn’t sound like something you’d see on Cartoon Network. There’ll also be a 400 horsepower “Coyote” 5.0-liter V8 on offer, mated with a six-speed manual transmission, s’il vous plait. As for an EcoBoost (nee Twin Force) option, fuhgeddaboutit. Apparently, a 365HP EcoBoost powerplant wouldn’t leave enough marketing daylight between the base V6 and the Coyote-powered GT. One thing: Coyote, Road Runner, inevitable failure. Anyone else see a marketing problem here? Nope, didn’t think so. Carry on.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • King Bojack King Bojack on Sep 06, 2009

    P71: Yes you did get it wrong. Just because Road and Track optioned out their tester to be more expensive than the Camaro they were testing doesn't mean the Mustang is more expensive. A brief check of Chevy and Ford.com confirms this as does a link to Road and Track.com I posted, Road and Track the same people who did the Stang/Maro comparo also admit elswhere that the Mustang is cheaper. And in general, cheaper cars are slower. This also ignores the idea that Mustangs have typically been a bit slower here and there through the years but Ford engineers them to not suck the balls the Camaro/Transam sucked. But we are talking performance here so yes, for now the Camaro is faster. Whoopeedoo.

  • NulloModo NulloModo on Sep 06, 2009

    niky - Although both the 3.7 liter and the 3.0 liter V6s are 60 degree DOHC engines sold under the Duratec (and MZI) names, Ford and Mazda consider the 3.7 and 3.5 to be clean sheet designs, part of the Cyclone engine family whereas the 3.0 was part of the Mondeo engine family. I'm sure certain design elements were shared between the two, and Ford used experience with the 3.0 in the 3.5, but the 3.5 and 3.7 are different enough to be considered more than just an evolution of the older V6s.

  • AdamYYZ AdamYYZ on Sep 06, 2009
    It’s unlikely. The Big 2.8 have always been acutely aware of the primary market demographic for the base 6-cylinder models and it’s never been gearheads that want performance-level suspension/drivetrain enhancements. Even if offered (and it sold well), it would likely cannibalize V8 sales." Yeah, that makes sense. It's unfortunate though. Track pack or not, this V6 powered 2011 is on a very very short list of cars I'm considering retiring my 2002 Civic Si for in the next 2 years. I'm currently a bachelor and I would like a chance in life to drive something completely bonkers and impractical before I'm tied down in life. I love the rugged exterior. I love the interior redesign. I love the glass roof. This car would be badass to own.
  • Redwood Redwood on Sep 07, 2009

    It's about time Ford replaced that ancient V-6 in the Mustang. There's nothing like a little Camaro competition to make them get off their ancient engine, but maximum profits behinds. If it indeed makes 315hp, I'll be really impressed. More so if it runs on regular unleaded.

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