One of the really exciting improvements that is coming with the 2011 Mustang is the use of steeper first gears in both the manual and automatic transmissions. The manual steps up from a 3.38 to 3.66. The auto jumps from 3.22 to 4.17!

So for comparison, a manual equipped 2011 Mustang with standard rear gears (3.31:1) has approximately the same gear multiplication at the rear wheels as a 2010 Mustang with 3.55s. An automatic equipped 2011 Mustang with standard rear gears (3.15:1) and its super steep first gear has approximately the same gear multiplication at the rear wheels as a 2010 Mustang with 4.11s. I think we will be seeing some incredible 60 foot times from these new mustangs at the track with some sticky tires.

 

Interesting calculations.
Any insight you can provide into RPM at cruising speeds
like 60 \ 70 \ 80 MPG?
I enjoy acceleration,
but also prefer the engine to be loafing
[ relatively ] at steady highway speeds...
Something the wide ratio spread ought to allow?
Thanks,
- Ray
YMMV

 

Yeah I saw that steep 1st gear on the auto. With some sticky tires and a gear swap (3.73s or 4.10s) on an auto equipped Deluxe, I guarantee you it will be a high 11 second car.

 

Here is the chart with RPMs at cruising speeds:

 

I'm tempted to get a 2011 with an auto tranny and 3.73 rear end. Those will be some consistently fast 0-60 times.

 

Interesting...
Thanks!
- Ray

 

I wish the 80mph crusing speed was below 2k RPM..

 

Almost exactly the same RPM that I now see in my G8 GT...