Say Goodbye to the Six-cylinder Ford Mustang: Report

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The Ford Mustang entered the world with a 170 cubic inch inline six, but heritage alone likely won’t be enough to keep the six-cylinder ‘Stang alive.

Product information from Ford’s ordering system has appeared online, and a 3.7-liter V6-powered version of the 2018 Mustang is nowhere to be seen.

According to information posted on the Mustang6g forum, the revamped ’18 Mustang will drop the 3.7-liter, leaving the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder as the model’s base engine. The 5.0-liter V8-powered GT model remains as the next rung up the Mustang ladder.

The forum user who posted the information claims to work at a dealership, and a search of V6 body codes turned up zilch. That’s bad news for fans of the naturally aspirated 300-horsepower unit, which hasn’t seen any recent improvements. By all accounts, it looks like Ford is letting the 3.7-liter wither on the vine, recently replacing its use in the Ford Edge Sport with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.

If the axe does come down on the V6 Mustang, it shouldn’t come as a surprise — the Ecoboost motor tops the V6 by 10 hp and 40 pounds-feet of torque. Scrapping the existing base engine will surely raise the future Mustang’s entry price.

The forum user’s search turned up some interesting options for the upcoming model. The new niceties include the 10-speed automatic transmission found in some 2017 F-150 models, as well as MagneRide adaptive suspension. Developed with the help of General Motors, the 10-speed unit listed as an option on EcoBoost and GT models should offer a boost in fuel economy.

A second performance package, possibly designed for track use, also joins the GT options list for 2018. That, plus MagneRide, raises the next GT’s performance potential, allowing it to fend of advances by the Chevrolet Camaro.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Mikey Mikey on Nov 22, 2016

    When I made my mind up to buy a new Mustang , the V6 was on my priority list. I couldn't find the right options , out of inventory. Right , so they did a search for me , to investigate a dealer trade. This was in late August 2015, with the 16's already in the pipe line. No nicely optioned V6 cars available . I'm sure that the dealers that had some in stock, weren't willing to make a trade. Now I could have gone online , found one ,and see what I could do. With my life circumstances being what they are, and the fact that I was trading two cars in, the logistics would be a nightmare. I could of ordered a 16, no discounts , full sticker price. I settled for a nicely discounted ,Guard Green 15 Eco Boost ,with the Premium package. Yes ,it makes a goofy sound. If that's a deal breaker for anybody , I wouldn't recommend buying one. Move up to a GT and write a way bigger cheque. The Mustang is my only vehicle , and it still puts a grin on my face, every time I get behind the wheel.

    • JimZ JimZ on Nov 22, 2016

      there are no nicely optioned cars. for 2015+ the V6 coupe is base model only, no premium/premier trim and relatively few options. I think you can get a V6 convertible in higher trim, though.

  • Raph Raph on Nov 23, 2016

    The great newstate for Mustang at least is the inclusion of Magne-Ride for the rest of the line. I took my GT350 out to VIR last weekend and the car proved to be unflappable! One of the class instructors said to avoid the FIA rumble strips as they can really upset the car and in the course of my on track instruction the instructor said to use the reguler rumble strips in the esse. After a few laps I intentionionally rode over the FIA strips to see how badly it would effect the car at speed and it didn't. The Magne-Ride soaked them up like week old stale bread in warm milk! Really fantastic system and in conjunction with the stability and traction control the car keeps you from making expensive mistakes ( on a side note if you bend up the front end sans inner structure it's 15k to replace the hood, nose, fenders, headlights and nose structure - buddy of mine found that out the hard way on a cruise ).

  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
  • Analoggrotto NoooooooO!
  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
  • JMII Despite our past experience with Volvo my wife wants an EX30 badly. Small, upscale, minimalist EV hatch is basically her perfect vehicle.
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