4-Cylinder Mustang for Europe only?
3/12/13, 07:06 PM
#21
Team Mustang Source
Have a strong feeling the EcoBoost 4 will have ST badging. One Ford has global designations for the Fiesta and Focus...and Fusion/Mondeo is likely to add ST versions in 2015. Also they can most probably pump out 350 hp from the 2.3. That leaves a base 305hp with less torque ...the upfitted Turbo in the middle and a bumped up 5.0 w/450 hp for the GT. 2016 model year will most likely see the GT500 w/ ecoboost 5.0...where the GT350 fits is anybodies guess...maybe a Boss replacement with 475Hp
3/16/13, 08:05 AM
#24
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The Ford Ecoboost Regional tours in Germany have just commenced last week and some of the recent Ford Fan Award winners were invited. We had the choice to drive numerous Ecoboost engines and I was curious as a V8 Mustang driver what the buzz about the Ecoboost engines is about. As a former Fiesta RS owner I still know the fun that these pocket rockets can offer ...and I was pretty much surprised how well done and "formulated" these ST rides can be. As the Fiesta ST was just launched at the Geneva show and they had 6 to drive, I took 3 of them for repeated fun out on the road. With 6,9 seconds from 0-100kmh (probably 6,4 for 0-60mph?) and a 220km/h top speed and a suspension set up like a WRC rallye car, the Ken Block feeling is really built in this car and that's just for under 20.000 Euro - a true affordable sportscar with a 1,6 litre 182HP engine and a sound that is convincing already.
The next one - a 2,0 250HP (184kW) Ecoboost engine in a Focus ST offered an even more serious feeling like in a road rallye car, well enough to convince a lot of people that may want to switch their sportscars from other european brands. In fact the current Mustang 201X model is choosen by a lot of BMW and other "sporty" brands drivers.
In order to offer an affordable sportscar (which is the domain of the Mustang) the 2,3 litre based on the 2,0 EB engine will be well enough for most europeans. And it is convincing indeed as I had my doubts like many of you as well before jumping in that car. The sound and driving experience of those cars will fill the gap in your expectations and add to the rational aspects of fuel economy. After that actually I thought it is a well dosed balance that can reach up, yet not get close to the "emotional level of a V8 experience".
We also talked to the Ecoboost guru Dr. Zenner and he mentioned to us the last years tests with a 1,0 litre EB in a Formula Ford racing car with 210 HP. Means the EB engines really have potentional. It went under 4 sec to 100kmh and outran a lot of super sports cars at the race track with about 250km/h btw.
I think the 2,3 litre engine has enough potential and power built in to cover up the 6-cylinder market and it won't make much sense to stick to the 3,7 then, also not in the US. The EB engined vehicles made up 100.000 in Germany, 335000 in Europe in 2012 and Ford plans to sell 500.000 in the US gearing up the building in Cleveland to the 2.0 and 2.3 by. I think it is clearly an EB part of the strategy to replace the 3,7.
To introduce V8 drivers to the thrill of an EB road rallye experience I think we can expect a teaser pretty soon.. which will be a driving experience with the 2,3 EB engine to get you prepared for the things coming. As I said, I am already convinced that this engine has plenty of potential to fill the affordable sports car with the fun we expect of such a combination ..though we in Europe will still have an opportunity to order a V8 in the Mustang. There are plenty of dealers that will still import it and it will still be affordable, certainly even be cheaper than a Mustang sold through the Ford network. The minimum "niche market" sales volume in that segment is about 2000 cars only for Ford, the Fiesta ST is sold only with 1250 pieces in Germany. Pretty easy to sell those fun cars with the right price tag. And a V8 Mustang will - based on todays imports- not be more than 42-46.000 Euro depending on the import dealers image and after-sales services, which is still a bargain against other europ. cars.
The next one - a 2,0 250HP (184kW) Ecoboost engine in a Focus ST offered an even more serious feeling like in a road rallye car, well enough to convince a lot of people that may want to switch their sportscars from other european brands. In fact the current Mustang 201X model is choosen by a lot of BMW and other "sporty" brands drivers.
In order to offer an affordable sportscar (which is the domain of the Mustang) the 2,3 litre based on the 2,0 EB engine will be well enough for most europeans. And it is convincing indeed as I had my doubts like many of you as well before jumping in that car. The sound and driving experience of those cars will fill the gap in your expectations and add to the rational aspects of fuel economy. After that actually I thought it is a well dosed balance that can reach up, yet not get close to the "emotional level of a V8 experience".
We also talked to the Ecoboost guru Dr. Zenner and he mentioned to us the last years tests with a 1,0 litre EB in a Formula Ford racing car with 210 HP. Means the EB engines really have potentional. It went under 4 sec to 100kmh and outran a lot of super sports cars at the race track with about 250km/h btw.
I think the 2,3 litre engine has enough potential and power built in to cover up the 6-cylinder market and it won't make much sense to stick to the 3,7 then, also not in the US. The EB engined vehicles made up 100.000 in Germany, 335000 in Europe in 2012 and Ford plans to sell 500.000 in the US gearing up the building in Cleveland to the 2.0 and 2.3 by. I think it is clearly an EB part of the strategy to replace the 3,7.
To introduce V8 drivers to the thrill of an EB road rallye experience I think we can expect a teaser pretty soon.. which will be a driving experience with the 2,3 EB engine to get you prepared for the things coming. As I said, I am already convinced that this engine has plenty of potential to fill the affordable sports car with the fun we expect of such a combination ..though we in Europe will still have an opportunity to order a V8 in the Mustang. There are plenty of dealers that will still import it and it will still be affordable, certainly even be cheaper than a Mustang sold through the Ford network. The minimum "niche market" sales volume in that segment is about 2000 cars only for Ford, the Fiesta ST is sold only with 1250 pieces in Germany. Pretty easy to sell those fun cars with the right price tag. And a V8 Mustang will - based on todays imports- not be more than 42-46.000 Euro depending on the import dealers image and after-sales services, which is still a bargain against other europ. cars.
Last edited by T5owner; 3/16/13 at 08:27 AM.
3/19/13, 10:22 AM
#25
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