2011 Ford Mustang: 305 hp V-6, 30 mpg
- Competes with: Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Hyundai Genesis Coupe
- Looks like: It’s the same car as last year’s redesign; everything new is under the hood
- Drivetrain: 305 hp V-6 with six-speed manual or automatic transmission
- Hits dealerships: Spring 2010
That bests the Camaro’s impressive 304 hp and 29 mpg figures, albeit barely.
Also impressive is that the 2010 Mustang GT and its V-8 engine — which won a Cars.com faceoff against the Camaro SS and Dodge Challenger RT — puts out 315 hp.
We’d expect a later announcement about a new GT powertrain sometime in the near future. What about the rest of the base model’s changes for 2011?
There’s also a new six-speed manual standard and six-speed automatic transmission optional. The auto will get an estimated 19 mpg city and 30 mpg highway while the manual will get 18/29 mpg.
Steering is now electric, replacing a hydraulic set-up, and suspension parts have been revised for a smoother ride and better handling. There is also a standard limited-slip differential and larger brakes.
Inside the gauge cluster gets a slightly new look and there is new sound-deadening material to lessen the notoriously loud road noise levels of the previous model.
A Performance Package will be available in August 2010 and it comes with a firmer suspension borrowed from the current GT model, 19-inch wheels, summer performance tires, strut tower brace and a sport mode integrated into the stability control system.
We expect pricing to remain similar to the current model and it should be released closer to the car’s on-sale date in spring of next year.
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Does the V-6 now get dual exhaust as in the picture above?
I can't wait to see what the performance figures will be. I wouldn't be surprised to see this beat the SS Camaro as the current 2010 GT Mustang is only about .3 of second slower 0-60. With this new V-6 being lighter than the current GT and with nearly the same horsepower, I'm very interested!
Any word on a possible independent rear suspension on higher performance packages?
How 'bout a nice bump to the V-8 and the V-6 twin turbo option from the SHO???
Wait, 2 more cylinder but only 10 more horsepower?!
What the hell are they doing?!
The V6 probably won't be as fast as the v8. They never are. The main difference will be the torque (which isn't mentioned here).
And that engine needs a cover over it. It looks sloppy.
J,
Rumor has it that the '11 GT will have a 5.0L V8 with 400+ HP.
Oh, and minor thing, but in the second paragraph it says 304 "hop".
Sorry, yes the dual exhaust and all the images are of the the 2011 V-6.
@ ermatthe,
some people who know what they are looking at actually prefer not to have a plastic cover -- i.e., car enthusiasts can appreciate seeing some intake runners.
@ ermatthe 280lbs ft torque on fords website.
"Area under the curve" is important when looking at engine performance. For (an exaggerated, hypothetical) example:
An engine that produces 300 peak HP @ 6000 rpm but produces 95% of that HP throughout the rest of its rev range will (all other things being equal) feel more "powerful" than an engine that produces 305 peak HP @ 6000 rpm but only produces 70% of that HP throughout the rest of its rev range.
@DL
Car enthusiasts (at least the ones interested in what's under the hood) probably won't be buying a v6 mustang- they'll be getting the GT at the very least.
The v6 will continue to be the college girl's/retired couple's mustang of choice- so I doubt a cover would hurt anybody's feeling.
And yes I am a car enthusiast myself. That's why I read this site many times a day and drive a GTO (not that it should matter).
With the standard axle ratio, this isn't going to be any faster than the outgoing 4.0 V6.
2.73
The sports axle ratio will be the one to get, but who knows how much of mileage hit there will be.
3.31
FYI the 4.0L V6 had 210 hp...if you think that a jump of 95 hp is not going to make the vehicle faster, you're nuts. Add to this a new six speed auto (which helps performance) and possible weight savings because of the use of aluminum, and we're talking about a vehicle that may very well be faster than the V8 models. the V8 is still pretty heavy; this aluminum V6 only has 10 hp less and probably around a hundred pounds less than the V8.
For example, Ford's Escape V6 gained 40 hp in 2009 over the 2008 model and added a six-speed auto, with virtually no weight savings, and was 2 seconds faster to 60 according to CR.
Wow, I was beginning to think Ford was never going to stop with that dinosaur 4.0 pushrod V6. It's been in the Mustang starting in what...1994?
I seriously doubt Ford will stick with the current GT 315 hp V-8 for 2011. Look for something in the 400-425 hp range to match the competition. The Shelby GT500 with 540 hp and the KR, with even more hp, are still available for those that want even more. The horsepower wars are back.
@ Nic the 4.0 wasnt dropped into the 'stang until the 2005 model year, you might be thinking of the 3.8 liter which was last seen under the hood of the Mustang in 2004. The 4.0 has been used for many years though in the Ranger.
I think ford did a good job with the release of these EcoBost engines. ford is starting to put out more power from such small engines. i dont like to think that the V6 ecoboost engine one day will replace all V8 engines from ford. i just hope that ford keeps that v8 alive.
Nic,
As much as I dislike Ford, I will give them credit when it is due.
What 4.0 pushrod V6? They have been SOHC in the Mustang.
Whoever pointed out the problem with the gearing is spot on. Horsepower numbers are great but Ford is crippling the base model with those 2.73 highway gears (I know - it's all about fuel economy). The outgoing 2010 v6 has 3.31's. You'll only get those on the 2011 if you order the performance package. All of 'em will come with limited slip and dual exhaust though (sweet!). I'll take mine in grabber green with a 6 speed manual and some aftermarket 3.73 gears. You don't need a V8 to be an enthusiast. The Dude abides!
That is one sweet car!