Just days ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Ford has taken the wraps off of the all-new powertrain for the 2011 Ford Mustang in V6 trim. The new Mustang features changes inside and out, but most importantly a new 3.7-liter V6 capable of 305 horsepower and 30 mpg highway.

Ford Mustang’s volume leading powertrain in sales has long been a V6 offering, and will now feature a 3.7-liter DOHC Ti-VCT V-6 that is capable of 305 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque, and best-in-class 30 mpg highway. Mustang’s new V6 sheds .3-liters in displacement, but gains 95 horsepower and 40 lb-ft of torque from the outgoing SOHC 4.0-liter V6.

The new V6 will also communicate to drivers and bystanders alike through a true dual exhaust – an upgrade over the outgoing V6’s single exhaust setup.

Ford has also announced that moving forward all variants of the popular muscle car will come with six gears – in automatic or manual, V6 or V8. The new six speed transmissions improve fuel economy by 25 percent for the 6R60 automatic – up from 16 city, 24 highway to 19 city, and 30 highway. The manual jumps from 26 highway to 29 highway, and retains the 18 city mpg rating.

To help drivers manage the healthy increase in power, Ford has also upgraded the V6 Mustang’s chassis to contain the same suspension as the Mustang in V8 GT trim with the new Performance Package. Changes included revised damper tuning and spring rates for smoother highway ride, in addition to a new rear lower control arm and stiffened stabilizer bar bushings for improved cornering response.

“The new Performance Package delivers on fast, fun and affordable, combining the all-new 2011 V-6 with Mustang GT prowess,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief nameplate engineer.

To help bring the Pony car to a stop, Ford increased the diameter of the disc brakes front and rear, with 11.5 inch front and 11.8 inch rear rotors.

In addition to powertrain changes, the new Mustang also features an Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system which helps to increase further economy by reducing drag generated from the hydraulic power steering pump.

Ford also made some important changes to the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle which include a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal.

Ford’s MyKey system, which is designed as a safety feature for parents wishing to limit speed and radio controls for younger drivers, has also made its way into the Mustang lineup for 2011.

In the days of the digital age information security has to be taken very seriously – unfortunately for Ford someone with a Facebook account didn’t take the embargo very seriously. A confirmed leak has occurred, exposing the already heavily-rumored return of the 5.0-liter V8 to the Mustang line starting next year.


The number leaked suggests 412 horsepower for the mid-level variant of Ford’s Pony car, up from 315 hp in the current Mustang GT. The substantial increase in power was anticipated due to the recent release by Ford of their new V6 Mustang numbers – a near-GT boost to 305 hp, and an impressive 30 miles per gallon to go along with it.

The rest of the muscle car segment already features a 400+ horsepower option, with the Camaro SS weighing in at 422 hp from their 6.2-liter V8, and the Dodge Challenger’s 6.1-liter Hemi with 425 hp.

The 2011 Mustang GT will be in the same neighborhood in power as its current counterparts, but with a several-hundred pound weight advantage, expect the Mustang to become the new leader of the pack.

The Mustang is not just an iconic pony car or a retro-modern throw-back to simpler times. It's a fan-favorite performance vehicle that has a rabid and enthusiastic base of drivers, tuners and manufacturers behind it. So news of the return of the '5.0' badge to the front fender of the 2011 Ford Mustang is likely to be met with a roar of approval.

Earlier this month at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford unveiled its 2011 Mustang, but only the base V-6 model (pictured), which itself has been upgraded with a new 3.7-liter mill churning out 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

At next month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show, however, the Blue Oval will pull the wraps off the new V-8 powered GT, which we can confirm today will pack a 5.0-liter V-8 with 412 horsepower on tap--just 14 horsepower shy of the output of the Chevrolet Camaro SS.

The information, which was meant to be embargoed, was leaked onto the usual Facebook and Twitter sources. These are the only details divulged so far, but who knows? Maybe Twitter will cough up more embargoed information before the week is done so stay tuned.

Dearborn, Michigan – As you might expect following Ford’s recent announcement of its new, 3.7-Litre, 315-horsepower V6 engine for the 2011 Ford Mustang, a new, more powerful V8 engine would not be far behind.

Indeed, not only is the new V8 engine for the Mustang much more powerful than the outgoing powerplant, but it also marks a return to the storied 5.0-litre Mustang displacement, last seen in 1995 GT models.

That engine — a traditional iron-block, overhead valve V8, also referred to as the Windsor 302 — was a favourite with Mustang owners, but this new engine is a thoroughly modern design. Twin-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, high-flow tubular headers, all aluminum construction, twin independent variable camshaft timing and direct fuel injection combine to make 412-horsepower at 7,000 rpm (estimated) and 390 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm (estimated) while returning 9.4 L/100km in highway driving (down from 10.2 in the 2010 model) and 13.4 L/100km in the city (equivalent to the 2010 model) when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission.

Vehicles fitted with he six-speed manual transmission match he 2010 model’s fuel consumption at 9.8/14.7 L/100km, highway/city.

Other modifications to the 2011 Mustang GT include the use of Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), 336 millimetre (13.2-inch) front and 300 mm (11.8-inch) rear vented disc brakes, and an enhanced rear suspension that features improved rear lower control arms, and stiffened rear stabilizer bar and bushings.

For those who want more handling performance, a Brembo brake package is available that features larger rotors and calipers from the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, and unique 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires.

The look of the 2011 Mustang GT is largely carried over from 2010 (the Mustang was revised for 2010), but does add 5.0-litre badges to the fenders and engine cover, with the speedometer increasing its “top” speed, and the tachometer redline advancing from 6,500 to 7,000 rpm.

Three new colours will be offered for 2011: Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red and Ingot Silver.

The 2011 Mustang GT Convertible models will feature enhanced structural rigidity, with lateral stiffness improved by 12-percent over the 2010 version.

In comparison with the 2010 model, the Mustang GT’s 31-percent increase in horsepower and 20-percent increase in torque makes is much more competitive with the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. However its weight advantage over the Camaro is compromised, as the 2011 Mustang GT increases in weight from 1603 kilograms (3534 pounds) to 1761 kg (3875 lbs) for the manual transmission model. This makes it almost equivalent in weight to the Camaro, while maintaining a weight advantage (and now a power advantage) over the Challenger R/T.

Ford has also announced the availability of 50 BOSS 302R track-ready race versions of the new Mustang GT. Described as a “serialized off-road-only vehicle ready to race,” the BOSS 302R is equipped with the 5.0L engine, six-speed manual transmission, roll cage, race seats, safety harness, data acquisition, race dampers/springs and a Brembo brake and tire package. This car can also be ordered with a Grand-Am Homologation package (M-FR500-BOSS R1), enabling it to compete in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series (formerly known as KONI Challenge).

For the more typical Mustang consumer, the 2011 Mustang GT will be available in late-spring, early-summer 2010. The new engine will be built at the Essex Engine plant, in Windsor, Ontario.
Paul Williams is an Ottawa-based automotive writer and senior editor for CanadianDriver. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

and an enhanced rear suspension that features improved rear lower control arms, and stiffened rear stabilizer bar and bushings.