Ford's V-6 Pony "Saddled" With Stupid New Name

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

Facebook has spoken, ladies and gentlemen, and it has decided that the automobile formerly known as “Mustang V6 Performance Package” shall be known as the “Mustang Mayhem V6”. Be sure to tell your insurance adjuster. I suppose “Ford ‘Blood In Tha Streetz’ V6” was taken.

As fate would have it, we have a “Mayhem” in the metaphorical TTAC garage right now, and it’s leaving for the twisty “Shenandoah” course at Summit Point where we drove its V8 equivalent last year. I’ve only driven it thirty-four miles so far, but I’m smitten already. This is a fast, if not particularly furious, budget ponycar and when you consider that it costs $25,995, the case only gets stronger.

If only Ford didn’t have a little problem… and, naturally, it involves China.

I always get a little nervous when one of my driving students shows up with a C6 Z06, because the ultra-lightweight wheels on that car are made by “Amcast”. Of course, “Amcast” wheels are made in China, the same way the “Chicago Tools” air compressor and “Pittsburgh Products” wrenches you bought at Harbor Freight were made in China. At one hundred and fifty miles per hour, I’d prefer that I be sitting on rolling stock of known quality. To be fair, however, “Amcast” wheels are not known for failure.

If only the same could be said for the Getrag-designed manual transmission that Ford is using in the current Mustang. It’s also made in China and it’s apparently breaking left and right. I don’t like Getrag transmissions anyway — give me a Tremec TR-6060, as found in the GT500 variants — because they are occasionally junk even when they are made in the good old Fatherland. Add Chinese manufacturing to the mix, and it’s no wonder that owners are reporting multiple, diverse failures. What’s Ford thinking? If there is any group in this country known for being hard on transmissions, it’s Mustang owners. What would be the extra cost of using the American transmission? Five hundred bucks? A thousand?

In any event, if you want to shift your new “Mayhem” yourself, I’d recommend a combination of granny-shifting and double-clutching… and I’d recommend showing your insurance agent the window sticker for the car, which will continue to use the value-neutral term “Performance Package”.

Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Mazder3 Mazder3 on May 11, 2011

    Ford should come out with a ZEV Mustang: "The Electric Mayhem!" Wakka-wakka!

  • Ry_Trapp0 Ry_Trapp0 on May 12, 2011

    whoa whoa whoa jack!!! the getrag trans are not FAILING(I.E., breaking), they are having hard shifting issues. there are plenty of 10 second 600+RWHP full weight mustang GTs with 100% stock getrags(aftermarket clutch aside), and not one has broken(which is quite surprising based on previous GT trans). this is a VERY young trans, and, just like the 5.0l, there will be some issues that will take a few years to work out. the TR6060 is an upgraded version of the old T56, and is STILL having issues in the 2012 shelby GT500. as far as the 'mayhem' name is concerned, it was voted on by mustang fans on facebook.

    • DrivingEnthusiast.net DrivingEnthusiast.net on May 12, 2011

      Not broken? Metal bits in the bottom of the tranny, broken off teeth, and broken shift forks. That doesn't mean "broken"? Look at all the pictures in the forums. Not to mention owners trust and dreams broken. Obviously another great example of Mustang engineering here. Their engineering and testing process is obviously broken, too. Or if not broken, then just plain crap.

  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
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