Simple question really. Should the next base Mustang mill be the 3.5L, DOHC, Duratec V6 or the upcoming GTDi 2.0L L4? Before making a decision consider the advantages of the four pot, because it makes quite a case for itself. Superior fuel economy, lower production costs, lighter weight, and very possibly superior power production combine to make a compelling argument. Going into detail on that last portion, Ford claimed ~280hp and ~280lb-ft of torque for the GTDi four in their Explorer American press release......any production V6 that trumps those numbers is certain to be a more expensive piece to produce than the existing 3.5L V6 engines, none of which can hope to match the numbers stated for the GTDi L4, and would without doubt consume far more gasoline per mile than the GTDi four will. For reference the existing MKZ's 3.5L V6 produces 263hp @ 6250 RPM and 249 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,500 rpm.

Taken another way, in a car with the same weight and basic layout as the S197 GT that 2.0L GTDi L4 backed by a 6-speed manual would certainly smoke the last of the SN95 based Mustang GT's in an acceleration run, and would more than likely be nipping at a S197 GT's heels too. Also worth mentioning is the increased mod-ability that the GTDi L4 would bring to the table. If production power figures were truly in the neighborhood of 280hp then 350hp at the crank is likely little more than a few simple mods and a few pounds of boost away.

Given this I have to say that I personally am a convert....bring on the GTDi L4. It would likely be the superior engine choice in every respect, harkens back just a bit to the wonderful and under-appreciated SVO model, and brings 1/2 scale Terminator mod-ability to the base Mustang for the first time. I wouldn't throw rocks at a nice 3.5L V6 with an engine note lifted from a V6 Alfa, but the GTDi L4 would be oh so much more interesting. However, I am uncertain just how well such a thing would be received by the Mustang faithful as a whole. What say you?

 

I'd say keep the V6

What are the numbers going to be like on the i4turbo when you wind it out compared to the V6 3.5? Is it really any better? Don't the Wrx STi's and the like, get the same gas mileage as a Mustang GT 4.6 3v?

Modibility, yes I guess you can turn up the dial on the i4T, but the 3.5 can easily have its cake and eat it too. More untapped potential.

Sound/feel
Maybe I'm in the small percentage of people who love the sound of a well tuned 6....but more so a well tuned 8

I don't know I'm just thinkin out loud here.
I know I'm not in the market for a 6er anyway,
but would it be the same argument over what the GT should have: the 3.5TT or a V8

To me, and I don't care if the Twin6 out accelerates it and is lighter.
The sound/feel of the V8 are a staple and a good part of the reason why the car is what the car is today.

 

First off ... I don't see any point in asking this because we all know that FORD is going to do whatever they want anyway.

I'll tell you this ... If the next Mustang GT does not have an affordable V-8 with larger V-8(s) as pencil-in option(s) that is affordable for the masses for ALL GT models I will NEVER buy another Ford vehicle whatsoever.

And one other thing ... GET RID OF SHELBY ~ !!!

 

GDI V6 & V8 in the near future. I don't expect a 4 banger until we get closer to 2020.

FYI - Mazda won't share their GDI 4 Banger with Ford, so Ford is in the process of developing their own.

 

Yes, but Ford's GTDi is a bit of a different approach. The reason for being for the GTDi four is to provide superior fuel mileage with V6 power, so I'd be surprised if fuel economy wasn't better than with the V6. However, I do still wonder what final power production figures will actually be. Ford says 280/280 right now, and given their recent track record of over-delivering these should be conservative numbers, but I have to say even these preliminary numbers are incredible to me when you factor in the fuel economy numbers Ford is no doubt shooting for. Incredible enough that I too question if the whole package can be as much of a game changer as Ford is indicating.

This is my biggest stumbling block. In more than a few ways the four sits fine with me because traditionally, and you have to go way back here, a four cylinder is far more 'classic Ford' than is a six cylinder. Still a four just doesn't sound very good, and while the turbo will help mask some of this I too would prefer to hear an Alfa like exhaust note rather than a WRX like exhaust note. But in reality our V6 engines have never been overly performance oriented in production trim, and we've never gotten a very good exhaust note from the factory on anything but a V8. Given that I'm not sure were really losing anything.

With the V8 I agree, I can see a TTV6 and a V8 for a GT level car but not just the TTV6. But then that begs the question, does the same thing that applies to the eight apply to the six?

For those who weren't here early on when this site was still small and virtually all about the upcoming 05 Mustang (I wasn't here at the very beginning, but I was here when there were less than 200 members IIRC) sections like the 2010+ area, and theories and questions about what Ford may or may not do with the next Mustang, are exactly the kind of threads this site was about. And since Ford apparently pays more than a little attention to what goes on in this forum, there indeed would seem to be a point in people voicing their preference on this forum.

The GT hasn't had a 'pencil in' V8 option since 1969 and Ford hasn't offered pencil in V8 options as a replacement for a smaller V8 on any Mustang model since 1973. I'n other words, it isn't likely.

In recent years a lot of things get cast as though Mazda 'wags the dog' a little at Ford Motor. I've always found that interesting and wonder if Ford's attempts to paint Mazda in a more independent light might have back-fired in this respect. Either way, what I've seen posted by the usual suspects/insiders actually states that Ford considered the existing Mazda and Volvo low pressure turbo designs and found both under-performed relative what they wanted from their GTDi lineup. I think that real world figures back these claims up since Volvo's newest crop of turbo engines aren't impressive from a power perspective in low pressure trim while Mazda's engines don't deliver particularly good fuel economy given the mission of Ford's upcoming GTDi lineup. Apparently Ford took a look, and then took a pass.

 

I would agree with Boomer on the sound/feel aspect alone. Obviously a four banger can be made to make some very compelling numbers, on paper, but alas will lack to poetry of a V6, never mind V8. A V6 with a good exhaust system will sound far more melodic than a four banger and certainly will be smoother overall in terms of vibration and more finely pureed power pulses. And to anyone who thinks that V6's are condemned to aural awfulness, I might direct them to any number of Alfa Romeos, Ferrari Dinos, Lancias or even my ol' Probe GT with a Borla system -- all very easy on the ears.

For the Stang, I think Ford should apply the four bangers GTDI technology to the 3.5 V6, which they are. The four banger would, I think, make a perfect motor for the next Focus or, better yet, Fiesta.

And apply that GTDI technology to the presumably upcoming 5.0, backed by a tight six speed, or better yet, DSG-type tranny, and a good IRS to put those ponies to the ground and Ford might, at last, have the poor man's M3 they'd been hinting the S-197 would be.

 

Good for them ... let them develop a 4-banger and I'll go buy something esle (ROFLMAO).

 

V6 all the way. The thought of putting a 4 in a Mustang once again is enough to make me vomit.

I've yet to find a 4 that is acceptably refined. The Mazda GDI turo 4 sounds and feels like a sewing maching with a broken gear.

I can already see (& hear) ricers who will get ahold of 4cyl Mustangs and hang fart cans off them.
If you want a Ford with a 4cyl, buy a Focus or a Fusion

 

Base engine for the Mustang - 3.5L V6 period, no 4 cylinders. I'm with V10, if there is a 4 cyl Mustang, ricers will hang a huge fart on it - fart cans on a Mustang

However, for the GT, Ford would do well to consider offering a TT 3.5L V6 along side the new 5.0L V8 making the same HP. While most of us here would only be interested in the V8 we have to face the fact that we are the minority. Many current GT owners couldn't tell you how many cylinders their car has, how much HP it makes or it's displacement. For that group, the TT V6 would be sufficient while offering improved CAFE numbers allowing Ford to produce more fire breathing V8 powered SE models.

 

Same thing can be said for 6-cylinder Mustangs.

You want a RICER-MUSTANG ... GO BUY A MAZDA ~ !!!

 

Meh, I'll take anything that has a comparable power to weight ratio to whatever GM is putting in the 5th gen.

 

This is the kind of stuff I like to see. I expected a little of the above but I would never have guessed that the V6 engine had developed this kind of loyalty. I've suspected as much in the past but now I'm convinced, Ford has apparently been missing out on a lot of potential sales by ignoring the performance potential of the base V6 Mustang for so long.

 

Hopefully the 3.5L GTDI will tap into that loyalty as well as attract new drivers.

 

They're also going to lose a lot of sales just for considering it.

 

Are you still here? So Ford is going to lose a lot of sales if they consider making the base six cylinder Mustang, a model which has existed more or less since the initial 1965 model, a better performance car and not simply the sub GT place holder that it now is? Riiiggghht.

 

Beyond sound and the potential "not big enough" premise of a 4-cylinder engine, which did make a run for awhile in the Foxes, I would think one of the downsides to it would be the torque curve. Of course, there are some amazing turbo technologies, but I wonder how the "seat-of-the-pants"-o-meter would register it. If that torque curve would be nice and flat over a fair part of the rev range, then we might be talkin'.

I personally would be open to the idea of a turbo 4 if it was marketed as a supplemental model. I think we've had a 6 for so long now, the general customer base would possibly perceive a reduction in cylinders as a step backward.

An interesting proposition, given the increased sensitivity to fuel mileage considerations in our current $3.00+ gasoline price situation...

 

I'm starting to think TX is off his meds...

 

His comment about Communists limiting engine choices in another thread certainly support that argument.

That said, I'm with you. I hope that the addition of a more performance oriented base V6 model, and a possible GTDi V6 to slot in-between the base V6 and GT models, will increase overall Mustang lineup fuel economy, appeal, and sales meaning better and more affordable Mustangs all around...including V8 models.

 

That's the beauty of direct injection. It gives you nice low end torque while you are waiting for the turbo to spool. Reducing the dreaded turbo lag.

Despite what people are saying about Mazda, they are the only ones in the sub 30k market with this technology. Go test drive a Speed6, Speed3 or a CX-7 and see for yourself why this engine has been on Ward's list every year that it has been for sale.
258-280hp from a 2.3 liter engine. That's more than 100hp per liter.

I will grant you that the sound of it doesn't compare to a big V8, but you'll be hard pressed to catch them to argue that point.

 

I would whole heartedly agree with this. In terms if performance engines, it has kind of been all or none -- for performance, a big booming V8 otherwise your relegated to the insipid I4 or V6 secretary's pool (with apologies to SVO owners).

Perhaps the advent of the powerful and sophisticated 3.5/3.7 coupled with the pressures of constricting CAFE and EPA standards with force Ford out of their constricted thinking. Imagine a 275-300hp V6 performance model with a tight six speed, decent brakes and (IRS) suspension that emphasizes a well tuned and balanced overall performance envelope in addition to the usual big, oafish V8 straight line blunderbuss.

A truly viable V6 drivers car, rather than the current steno pool cruiser, would attract new buyers and by dint of better CAFE numbers, better allow those big, swilling V8 powerhouses. A V6 Mustang's engine bay need to be a mortuary where ancient engines are sent to die.