97GT03SVT

Not sure if anyone already posted this but Ford has confirmed that A Mustang with an EcoBoost V-6 engine has been approved, although it might not be the first Ford (after the Lincoln MKS) in line. The direct-injection, turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 in the Mustang will make more than the 4.6-liter V-8's 300 horsepower and probably get 2-mpg better EPA results. Expect the EcoBoost to follow the facelift on the '10 Mustang.

SINBUSTER007

seeing all the talk on the other forums about the V8 weather it stays or not, ford has never to my knowledge never had a V8 powered car not in their lineup. also, with the technology today and how they are using computers for the engine tunes, can Ford build a V8 and "detune" it to sell to the masses with the thought in mind that others will "retune" for the HP that should be coming from the engine? ex. 4.6L v8 or 5.0L v8 that is detuned to get 30mph but only ~200hp, but with a "retune" the real power would be like 400hp and 20-22mph? thoughts? ideas?

mach1fever

I think they will give you the option intially and then phase the mass produced v-8 out if it is accepted. I think the svt Cobra..... (insert moniker here) will keep the v-8.

Roger

Boomer

I think (and hope) quite possibly that the GT will always keep the V8
but I see 2 scenarios for the V6-TT

A) have a level inbetween a base V6 and the V8 GT,
or
B) Bring the V6 up to a 300+hp level to compliment the 400hp GT and compete with the other 2 pony cars.

jsaylor

I've been thinking about this and, IMO, if we do get a GTDi V6 I think it will either cost as much as the V8 powered GT or, if it does cost less, Ford wont make as much money on it. I previously made the argument that a 60-degree DOHC V6 isn't likely much less expensive to produce than a 90-degree DOHC V8 for several reasons, and I would be surprised if adding twin turbos to the mix doesn't what gap there is altogether. If we are getting a GTDi V6 at this point I'm convinced it is either

a: to bolster the image of the engine through the inclusion in the highly visible Mustang and well loved Mustang model

b: to improve overall Mustang CAFE numbers by supplanting some of the 400+hp 5.0L V8 engines with a somewhat more fuel efficient, 340+hp GTDi V6.

c: to accomplish both a and b.

goesfast

There was at least one year the Ford Mustang did not offer a V-8 in their lineup. Can't remember the exact year but was between 1974 and 1976 I think. Now the new V-6 will belt out enough hp's to keep most happy.

shatter

I would rather have a low power V8 than a higher powered V6TT. I need the V8 rumble!! That is unless I dump this whole mustang thing for a Lotus Exige or some such craziness.

rhumb

I would imagine that Ford would be anxious to bolster the performance creds of the more fuel efficient V6 models, which is pretty much a high schooler's / secretary's car now.

The base 3.5 will probably be in the 275hp range with an Ecoboost model (Pony? Sprint?) in the 300-325 range and assuming a significant part of the current GT market.

The GT would likely be boosted up the model/price tree a bit with a 400+hp 5.0 and topping the range might be a TT5.0 with 500+ hp for the GT500 model.

Or perhaps the TT3.5 will become a more specialty road course oriented GT350...

No way that the V8 would completely disappear, though it may move upmarket and up-price.

Grey03

I wouldn't mind a twin turbo V6 as long as the motor is "built" to handle boost. I have a 06 Gt and a 03 Cobra. What makes the Cobra so much better of a high performance car is the fact that the motor is built to make some serious power and still live. Just look at Supra's and Gran National's if you are not sure what a turbocharged six can do. I would MUCH rather have a built turbo six that can handle extra boost than the weak V8 that Ford currently makes. The current 4.6 is a joke at 300 hp when you have a number of v6 engines with nearly a liter less in displacement making the same or more power.

V10

There was no Mustang V8 in the 1974 model year.

FLAstangx3

TYPO!!!! It was 1974 that there was no V-8.

V10

I was expecting this even though somebody on another thread just posted the Mustang would not get the Eco-Boost V6.

I say with the sales volume of the Mustang, Ford needs a performance model with significantly better MPG than today's GT, so the EB 3.5 seems like a natural fit.

I'd expect the EB 3.5 to be priced lower than any V8 Mustang regardless of manufacturing cost to steer customers towards the V6.

In any case, I view this as a win - win. Traditional Mustang fans get a powerful 5.0 V8 (as long as they're willing to pay the price) while a high performance turbo V6 Mustang will attract customers who previously have passed on buying a Mustang.

V10

**** I hate it when I hit the wrong key.

watchdevil

1974 was the only year there was no V8. In 1975 Ford quickly shoehorned the 302 V8 into the engine comparment and moved the radiator support a few inches, hence the flusher grille from 1975-78.

m05fastbackGT

1974 was indeed the only year, in which there was no Mustang V8. However it didn't last very long, as enthusiasts demanded it's return for the 1975 model year.

But even despite it's V8's return, it was only capable of reaching 140 max HP. due to it's low compression ratio, thanks to federal emission regulations of the mid 1970's.

SixtySix

1980 was even worse. The 255 ci V8 was only capable of 119 HP!

Worst V8 EVER!!!!

Evil_Capri

Agreed!

Hollywood_North GT

Are you kidding? That "weak" V8 - a Ward's 10 Best engine three years running, by the way - makes more torque than any of those rev-happy 6s you're talking about.

And if you wanna add boost, well hey, throw a supercharger on the 4.6L and then see how fast you leave those import 6s in the dust!

SINBUSTER007

thanks for the clarification on the no v8 year. i just cant see how they can let a status symbol and probably one of the cars that carried ford thru its slow times to not include a v8 in the lineup. yes i know that they are getting ridiculous number from v6's but come one, do we all want to be ricers here? i dont. at least i rumble coming down the road instead of flying an airplane down the road!
like i said, they can control the computer now to get better fuel mileage. we've all found ways to get more HP out of our current and probably will continue to do so in the future. not sure if i would buy a mustang if they didnt offer a V8. maybe buy one of the older models instead but not a new one. just my 2 cents...

wsmatau

And the car comes full circle...lol...right where it started in 1964.
Just imagine giving your high schooler a Corvette in 1984...and yet the current 6 cyl Mustang will out perform it. (makes you think huh)

And speaking of full circle, for those of you who can't read the writing on the wall. The second age of Pony/Muscle cars has begun to come to a close, just like it did in the 1970s. One day we'll look back and long for a V-8 the way we look at big blocks now. (dismount soapbox)