Ford replaced the Taurus SHO V8 engine with a EcoBoost V6. Now they replaced the Explore's V8 with a EcoBoost 4 banger (, why not use the EcoBoost V6? strange). So it is not far fetched that they might replace the Mustang V8 with a high output EcoBoost V6. So the question is, would you buy it?

 

Nope,

I would never buy a GT powered by an ecoboost 4 or 6 engine.

However I would buy an Ecoboost 4 or 6 powered SVO. As long as the stick to what an SVO always was.

 

Nope

And I'm sure Ford knows a lot of people won't buy a GT without an 8

Eco8 ...yes...
Eco4/6...no

 

Absolutely not! Have an SE with the EB, but there is no way in hell I would buy a GT that didn't have 8 cylinders of goodness coming out the back.

 

Sure . . . if an 8 wasn't offered.

Always loved the Grand Nationals and the GNX . . . and they didn't have an 8.

And the V8 SHO was horrible, so I don't think that is the best comparison. The new Explorer come standard with a V6 that is almost as powerful as the outgoing V8, so that too may not be the best comparison . . .

 

Only if no 8 was offered. I'd probably shop elsewhere in that case.

 

I agree, the GT has a history of V8 power, I'm sure Ford will stick to that.

However an SVO version with the EcoBoost V6 with GT500 brakes and suspension and extra use of aluminum to drop 100-200 lbs off the weight of the GT would be appealing for sure.

Would make for a nice tuner car to be sure.

Honestly if I was Ford, in the next Mustang (which I hope is actually a bit smaller overall) they should do a

2.0 EcoBoost 4 as base car.
V6 as midgrade LX
V8 for GT
Super or Turbo version of 5.0 for GT500

 

If the 2011 GT had been available with your choice of the Coyote or an EcoBoost V6 that delivered the same performance and another 3-4 mpg, I would have taken the EB6, provided that the cost were not too much more than the V8. If it cost an extra $1800, it would take too long to earn that back in gas savings. But if the cost were $600-$800 more, I'd do it. And I wouldn't care if they called it a GT, SHO, SVO, or BBQ.

 

IF they sold the eco boost 6 as a special edition (ala SVO Mustang of the 1980's) MAYBE I would get one for my old lady.

I have to have V-8 even if it were slower.

 

Porsche has done very well with turbo 6's. Likely lighter in the front end which equals dramatically improved handling. Just show me the hp and I'd be there. But, right now I'm just enjoying the hell out of my 5.0. I suspect that will last 5 or so years.

 

I think the Engine offerings for the 2014 Mustang will be the 5.0L V-8, the 3.7L V-6 and a EcoBoost 4 cylinder.

 

Nope. I would only want a V8

 

I don't think Ford would get rid of the V8 in the mustang, but if I were purchasing a v6 of course I'd go for it but generally I stick to V8's

 

The Ecoboost V6 is actually a bit heavier than the 5.0 V8
I think I read it's around 19 lbs heavier when you take all needed parts (turbos, intercooler, etc) into the equation.

So Ford would have to boost the engine up to over 415 hp to make it the same power to weight as the current GT.
If say an SVO version in lightweight trim cut 100-200 lbs off, they'd still need to make it 400 hp to equal the current GT's acceleration, handling of course would be better.

And there in lies the problem. In order for Ford to make and Ecoboost V6 version with enough separation between it and the 5.0 V8, they'd need to either:
1. Leave it at the current 365 hp rating and just make the SVO a "handling" package with GT500 levels of handling or even an IRS version of the Mustang and not worry about acceleration as it would be a touch slower than the 5.0 V8
In doing that, I don't know how many sales the SVO Ecoboost version would garner as not too many people buy cars strictly for handling prowess.

2. They'd have to cut weight in the car AND boost the EcoBoost V6 up to at least 430+ hp. But in doing so and in order for Ford to warranty the Ecoboost V6 with that much power, they'd probably want to strengthen the engine and upgrade the intercooler and other drivetrain parts. That means additional cost.
Then the car would have to slot somewhere between the GT and the GT500 for power, performance and handling.
There most likely would be more of a market for this, as the base SVO could start in the $38-40k range and go to $48k loaded up. But it would still be a specialty car and there wouldn't be big sales. Probably more than the GT500, but it would also cut into GT500 sales.

As I stated earlier, the better sales approach would be to make a base Mustang with the 2.0 ecoboost 4
Opening price about $2k below the current V6 base mustang price.
At that point they'd probably want to push the V6's power up to 315 hp and the V8 would get DI and be rated at 425+ hp.
The GT500 will most likely become a FI version of the 5.0 with 560-575 hp for 2014

The Ecoboost V6 doesn't seem to really have a place in the Mustang lineup being only 50 hp shy of the 5.0 but also weighing a bit more, and only 60 hp more than the base V6 but getting worse gas mileage than the V6 and about equal to the V8

 

only an ecoboost V8, 600hp please

 

Coming to a GT500 near you in a few years, I'd bet.
But probably more like 560-570 hp

 

You can make a V6 as fast as you want, but it still won't sound like a V8.

 

Maybe, it depends on what my options were, if Ford only offered Mustangs in 6bangers than yes. Hey, my screen name could be LessECOmoreBOOST.

But, then again I am partial to forced induction V6's.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

I guess as soon as the Mustang isn't offered as a V8, it is no longer a GT.