2015 Mustang Fuel Economy Leaks – Should the V6 Just Die?
Ever since Ford announced it would be wedging an EcoBoost engine into the new Mustang, we’ve wondered what type of fuel economy the new pony car would get, in addition to the horsepower figures. We’ve got the horsepower, and now we have the fuel economy. In a leaked document uncovered by Mustang6g, we have the EPA-rated mileage for both the V6 and the EcoBoost.
Let’s start off with the old base engine, the V6. It’s been officially rated at 17-city and 28-highway with the manual transmission, while the V6 auto (who knows why anyone would buy that) gets 19-city and 28-highway. That isn’t bad, but it could be a hell of a lot better, especially considering today’s engine tech.
The EcoBoost trumps the V6 and offers 22-city and 31-highway with the manual trans, but there’s no data on the auto version. And here comes my same gripe that I ranted a bit with the horsepower. Why has Ford kept the V6? The EcoBoost has better horsepower, better torque, better fuel economy, is lighter, and will probably be a better car in general. There is no point for Ford to keep building a less-than-optimal car. It might cost a bit less, but really, is that the only reason?
Editor’s passionate argument: Ford has kept the V6 because in the previous decade the automaker invested a lot of money into the Duratec powertrain. The 3.7, or “Duratec 37”, and its closely related 3.5L Cyclone brother, the “Duratec 35”, are still used in other Ford products. Continuing to use the V6 in the Mustang amortizes Duratec development costs more broadly. While the EcoBoost I4 is superior, the V6 engine was funded for a particular life cycle — probably six years — so there are two model years left in it. Additionally, as you point out, there are still plenty of people who will equip their Mustangs with this mill, so as to avoid the EcoBoost’s extra up-front cost. To have the six-banger in the S550 engine lineup for two more years, or until the end of the 2016 model year, makes decent business sense. – MC III
Unfortunately, there wasn’t any fuel economy on the V8, but does it really matter? Those getting the V8 already know they are getting a V8 and the terrible fuel economy. What do you all think? Should Ford just cut the V6 completely out of the lineup?