I guess Mustang couldn't take the V6 Camaro making as much power as their V8 Mustang. Pretty impressive when your base models now start with 300 hp and get 30 mpg highway.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/2011_ford_mustang_v6-official_photos_and_info

Wanna see a Ford guy wince? Call the Mustang V-6 a “secretary’s car.” This used to be a reliably fun way to annoy our hosts (or get a beer poured down our backs) at Mustang events, primarily because it was true: with its wheezy, old 4.0-liter V-6 putting out a wimpy-for-a-muscle-car 210 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, the base ‘Stang couldn’t outrun a Honda Accord V-6. But it seems that our last jab has been made, now that Ford has announced that its 2011 Mustang V-6 will have its power juiced up by some 45 percent to 305 hp, with torque rising 40 lb-ft to 280.

All-New V-6: More Power, Higher MPG

The new, all-aluminum six-pot displaces 3.7 liters, with its signature feature being Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing), which Ford says allows for extremely precise overlap times during which both intake and exhaust valves are open. Simply stated, this allows the engine to operate optimally for hard-charging acceleration—a handy trait for pony cars—but then become more focused on fuel economy during low-load situations. Redline is now a nice, high 7000 rpm. Also helping in both performance and fuel-economy respects are newly fitted manual and automatic transmissions, both with six forward speeds.

Thanks to a frugal 2.73:1 rear axle ratio and tall top gears in both transmissions, fuel economy soars to an impressive 19 mpg in the city and a whopping 30 on the highway for the automatic—besting the segment’s current mileage braggart, the 304-hp Chevrolet Camaro V-6 and its still-impressive 29 highway mpg; fuel economy drops by one mpg to 18/29 for the manual-equipped Mustang V-6. Ford says that it has kept curb weight under 3500 pounds for the coupe, with the engine being 40 pounds lighter than the 4.0-liter it replaces, although the dual-exhaust system adds a few pounds back in (the current Mustang V-6 manual weighs in at 3421 pounds). Also noteworthy are larger brake discs, which have been upgraded to 11.5 inches in front and 11.8 in back, as well as retuned spring and damper rates. The steering components have been replaced by a new electrically assisted system, which offers gains in terms of efficiency but often results in a loss of road feel. Ford claims that the electric system will offer great feel and include tricks like road-crown correction. But we’ll have to see how all these “enhancements” change the overall character of the car.

More Competitive, Especially With New V-6 Performance Package

One thing is for sure: The old model left a lot of room for improvement. Ford made no mention of how much it figures acceleration times will improve, but as a point of reference, the last Mustang V-6 we tested, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, hit 60 mph in a ho-hum (for a sporting car, anyway) 6.6 seconds. The comparatively porky 3807-pound Camaro V-6 can hit 60 in 5.9 seconds, while the 3492-pound Hyundai Genesis V-6 coupe is capable of doing the same trick in an even more impressive 5.5 ticks of the stopwatch. We would fire ourselves if we couldn’t get 0–60 times down into the mid-fives.

Indeed, we may be looking at a real class-beater if the Mustang V-6 in question is equipped with the newly available Performance Package, which comes with 19-inch wheels and Pirelli tires, a strut-tower brace, Mustang GT-sourced suspension and brake components, and a more responsive 3.31:1 rear axle ratio. On Mustangs thus equipped, the stability control features a “Sport” setting in which thresholds are upped for more tail-out shenanigans before shutting the party slide down.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the fact that with 305 hp, the new Mustang V-6 is within just 10 hp of the 4.6-liter V-8 that powers the current Mustang GT. How on earth will that play out, you ask? Well, those two engines may actually never be sold side by side, since we expect a commensurately enhanced 2011 Mustang GT to enter the scene around the same time as the new V-6 hits the market late next summer, rumored to be powered by Ford’s new “Coyote” V-8 displacing a nice round 5.0 liters and producing somewhere north of 400 hp. That should help maintain some distance between the two models.

Carryover Styling, Carryover Pricing?

Alas, come late summer, how will you be able to tell which Mustang V-6 is equipped with the new muscle mill and which one you can take down with your Acura TSX V-6? Look for a mildly refreshed front fascia (with darkened grille trim), tire “spats” on the rear wheels, and a new rear decklid seal. Otherwise, it’s identical. Good luck.

We don’t yet know how much Ford will ask for the 2011 Mustang, but what seems clear is that for the next Secretary Special, we’ll have to wait until Ford drops an EcoBoost four-banger into the Mustang’s long nose, which we expect to happen relatively soon after the V-6 goes on sale late next summer. Then again, if that engine turns out to be half as good as Ford’s EcoBoost V-6, we may just have to go back to making fun of Ford U.S. boss Mark Fields’s mullet.

great - a mustang with Vtec .....................YO !!!!!

lol i like the indicators on the new ones!!!

say what you want, but this sounds like a pretty decent car.

that's pretty good. still wish they put the ecoboost in the mustang. still, this w/ a track pack, pretty sweet

Doesn't seem that long ago that 300 horses out of a V8 was considered really good.

The mustang has always been cheap power and this isn't any exception.

Sounds pretty cool... but if they're giving the V8 a boost too, then that's going to be pretty impressive (assuming it doesn't jump in price much).

Once again, another reason to buy Ford stock. I used to marvel how everything out of the Ford camp used to be bad news but I've watched them closely for a long time now as they made smart plans.

Paul.

smart plans but still just not a fan

smart plans but still just not a fan

I'm not about to go out and buy a Mustang and I hate most Ford aspects to modern Mazdas (Not all) but I'm talking dollars and 'sense'. I watched as Bill Ford struggled and they dealt with cashflow problems and supplier problems and Union problems. I watched everything they did including all of Mark Fields' moves and the hiring of Alan Mulally and his bringing back the Taurus name. I watched as they began moves to improve fuel milage and to introduce the Fiesta worldwide including the North American market. I watched them refuse Government tax money.

I recommended to a friend that he buy Ford stock when it was $2.50. Check it's current value when you get as chance to see what kind of money my friend made. I bought something else that has doubled that I'm sticking with but I'm still planning on buying Ford at it's current level.

Paul.

I think I may have to try and buy some stock from ford as well

I'm not about to go out and buy a Mustang and I hate most Ford aspects to modern Mazdas (Not all) but I'm talking dollars and 'sense'. I watched as Bill Ford struggled and they dealt with cashflow problems and supplier problems and Union problems. I watched everything they did including all of Mark Fields' moves and the hiring of Alan Mulally and his bringing back the Taurus name. I watched as they began moves to improve fuel milage and to introduce the Fiesta worldwide including the North American market. I watched them refuse Government tax money.

I recommended to a friend that he buy Ford stock when it was $2.50. Check it's current value when you get as chance to see what kind of money my friend made. I bought something else that has doubled that I'm sticking with but I'm still planning on buying Ford at it's current level.

Paul.

+1

ford has made a very impressive comeback indeed, and some smart moves such as bringing over the fiesta and the little transit. i hope they keep doing well, and i'd buy their stock

That's a sweet V6, but the 315HP V8 they are currently using is doing just fine in their war with Chevy and Dodge. Check this out...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q3/2010_chevy_camaro_ss_vs._2010_ford_mustang_gt_2009 _dodge_challenger_r_t-comparison_tests/2010_ford_mustang_gt_page_4

Ford is going to seriously make the other two cars its b**ches in 2011 when they get their 400HP V8.

as long as they maintain a relatively close price to what they are at now

Seeing Ford do well makes me

http://www.hsart.com/images/Eli%20Fist%20Pump.jpg

That's a sweet V6, but the 315HP V8 they are currently using is doing just fine in their war with Chevy and Dodge. Check this out...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q3/2010_chevy_camaro_ss_vs._2010_ford_mustang_gt_2009 _dodge_challenger_r_t-comparison_tests/2010_ford_mustang_gt_page_4

Ford is going to seriously make the other two cars its b**ches in 2011 when they get their 400HP V8.
Chevy shot themselves in the foot when they made the Camaro such an elephant. I mean, with the amazing engines that Chevy makes in a chassis weighing as much (preferably less) than the mustang, it would completely rape face. I think I've about given up on GM, sad as it is to say. :(

I looked at a GT this weekend while my dad was looking at a new F250 (holy shit 58k for a pickup truck) and it looked mean but the interiors are just all wrong to me. But the performance is there for sure.

yeah when I started reading the article and read about a jump in horsepower of 45 percent, to over 300, I was shocked in a good way, (Extremely rare for a ford) to find that the displacement is actually going down. 3.7 liters and 305 bhp is actually somewhat respectable for a low end sports car.

I lol'd at the part about the high 7000 rpm redline though. It's like people feel sorry for american cars so they wanna give them credit that isn't due sometimes. If this were a european or japanese car, a 7000 rpm redline from a 3.7 v6 wouldn't be considered high, in fact, it might actually be considered a little on the low side really. The old 350z motors redlined at 7000 i think, and that engine is a slug, low revving and boring; suddenly say the engine is american and it's like wow 7000 rpms is so high!!!??? Pathetic and obvious that the writers feel sorry for them in a sort of "go out and get em tiger" kind of a way.

You say some pretty stupid things sometimes rg.

Chevy shot themselves in the foot when they made the Camaro such an elephant. I mean, with the amazing engines that Chevy makes in a chassis weighing as much (preferably less) than the mustang, it would completely rape face. I think I've about given up on GM, sad as it is to say. :(

:( i love my camaro lol ... but honestly unbiased opinion it handles better than the mustang and yes ive driven both ... and it weight about 350 more than the v8 and the v6s are about 250 apart not that big of a difference considering the camaro makes alot more power

^I wouldn't say given up on GM because I see far more 2010 camaros than 2010 mustangs in my area....next year that may change because of the increase in hp but who knows till then

^ i havent ive been watching all the domestic carmakers lately and they really are stepping up their game the malibu, cts, new buick, taurus sho, mks, mustang are just a few to begin with theyre getting back on track and i think deserve credit for it.

You say some pretty stupid things sometimes rg.

:yelrotflm:rofl::rollingla

hahahaha. yes.

I kinda wish they'd make a notchback so there was more headroom in the rear.

but wow the fastback is now a perfect reproduction of the 68 slope.

Now what you do is (like I said with the old engine) slip on a dual TC set up with a reflash from SCT etc and you have yourself a very very fun sleeper. make sure to leave all the
"this is a v-6 " markers in place

Hasn't Nissan's VQ V6 been making around 300hp out of 3.5 liters since 2006? At least in the 350z. This one is 3.7, a 3.7L VQ makes 330hp nowadays. Good for ford but not ground braking horsepower #s to me given the displacement.

MPG is impressive, I assume it mostly contributed to high gearing to get that highway number.

It was about time. The outgoing V6 passed its use by date a long time ago.

I'd have to go with the V6 Mustang over the V6 Camaro. The Mustang is much trimmer, has better interior styling and seems it would be easier to live with on a daily basis yet be just as fun to drive, if not more. From what I've read, it seems the Mustang is a lot more fun in the handling dept. than the capable yet ponderous Camaro.

I guess it would be smart to price it very close to the V-6 Camaro.

Wonder if Dodge will also counter and replace the garbage engine in the base Challenger?

That's a sweet V6, but the 315HP V8 they are currently using is doing just fine in their war with Chevy and Dodge. Check this out...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q3/2010_chevy_camaro_ss_vs._2010_ford_mustang_gt_2009 _dodge_challenger_r_t-comparison_tests/2010_ford_mustang_gt_page_4

Ford is going to seriously make the other two cars its b**ches in 2011 when they get their 400HP V8.

You are Joking right... :dunno:

of all these new pony cars, the mustang is the only one i'd actually own myself. the new gt really does look pretty awesome; the v6, not as awesome, but still decent-looking. they're all elephants, but the comparatively the camaro is a boat, and the challenger might as well be a full-size pickup truck. i'm really digging this new v6 mustang, if there's a gt-look-alike trim for the v6, along w/ the track pack, this'll be a pretty sweet deal

still, even tho the mustang has the best driving dynamics of the three, it might not really matter. for most people who buy these cars, looks, sound, and straight line grunt are what they want. i totally see way more camaros running around right now than mustangs. they really need that new v8 in the mustang

but its STILL a mustang... blah

Chevy shot themselves in the foot when they made the Camaro such an elephant. I mean, with the amazing engines that Chevy makes in a chassis weighing as much (preferably less) than the mustang, it would completely rape face. I think I've about given up on GM, sad as it is to say. :(

This. THIS. T-H-I-S!

I like the Camaro styling, and understand bringing back the old school etc, but what pisses me off is how dare the same company that makes the Corvette, produce to POS we currently call the Camaro. They could have done so much better.

The time I found the specs of the Camaro was when I truly decided that GM deserves to die.... Impala's aren't even cop cars anymore lol, they've been replaced by Altimas and Prius'

Nonetheless, I'm glad the mustang is improving, I still don't understand why there suspension remains so antiquated, granted, I know little about serious drag racing, but if it doesn't help there, I'd love to see a lighter Stang with a decent suspension setup. Nonetheless, I'm glad its where it is.

solid rear axle is very helpful in drag racing. independent rear suspension is about the worst thing you can do.

I wish the Mustang would go to a fully independent rear suspension, but I understand that in normal daily driving the majority of owners won't even notice the difference. With limited development dollars, something has to be scrimped. Hopefully, it'll lose it in the next big overhaul.

And hopefully the Camaro will go to Jenny Craig.

why is high revving necessary when most of the power is available down low in the RPM range?

I guess the quick turn-in and the grip from the stock summer pirellis have car editors/writers raving about the new stang.

Maybe one of these days I'll stop by at a Ford dealer and check it out for myself.

why is high revving necessary when most of the power is available down low in the RPM range?

I guess the quick turn-in and the grip from the stock summer pirellis have car editors/writers raving about the new stang.

Maybe one of these days I'll stop by at a Ford dealer and check it out for myself.

Because the higher it revs the lower you can gear the car, so it will have more grunt at ALL rpm, including down low, assuming it still makes a good amount of torque at that rpm, which i'm sure it will at 3.7 liters. so you can have 280 ft/lb of torque and 280 bhp, or you can have a higher redline and also have 280 torque, but 305 bhp. so obviously higher revving is better.

solid rear axle is very helpful in drag racing. independent rear suspension is about the worst thing you can do.

Now I understand the reasoning behind them keeping the rear axle. Cool.

Because the higher it revs the lower you can gear the car, so it will have more grunt at ALL rpm, including down low, assuming it still makes a good amount of torque at that rpm, which i'm sure it will at 3.7 liters. so you can have 280 ft/lb of torque and 280 bhp, or you can have a higher redline and also have 280 torque, but 305 bhp. so obviously higher revving is better.

I'm not sure if it's as clear cut and simplistic as that, but since I'm no engine guru, I'll take your word for it.

But wouldn't the extra cost for a higher redline such as stronger pistons be passed onto the consumers who got the V6 most likely because it's more affordable?

I'm not sure if it's as clear cut and simplistic as that, but since I'm no engine guru, I'll take your word for it.

But wouldn't the extra cost for a higher redline such as stronger pistons be passed onto the consumers who got the V6 most likely because it's more affordable?

yeah that's true i guess. One thing that sucks for the stang is that it's 3500 pounds, so the only way to get good power is to have a pretty expensive motor. An s2000, for example, only weighs 2800 pounds so it can be fast with just a simple 4 banger, albeit a really nice 4 banger. The solid rear axle bugs the hell out of me. I think the solid rear axle should be the new symbol for the republican party. It represents stupidity and a stubbornness to change.

And let me guess this thing is gonna cost like 30k? Fuck that not even close to being worth it from a v6 n/a that I think looks like straight balls...buy an 03-04 cobra for 20k and its shit ton faster and looks way better

Buy Ford stock at your peril.

They have over 100 billion in debt, are struggling to refinance a huge chunk of it, still lose money on every car they sell, the UAW is picking more battles with Ford, and their profit center (pickup trucks) sales are down 40% from last year's already depressed levels.

I am just stating the facts.

I think Ford's P/E ratio is along the lines of negative 55 or greater.

I had a 1995 Nissan 240SX a few years back (4-cyl). Compared to the same model year Mustang V-6, it had 10 more hp (and weighed over 300lbs less). I'd say the V-6 Mustang has made some significant progress in the past 15 years.

With the upgrades being done, I am especially exited to see what the upper versions are going to be. ie- Roush, Saleen, Gaffoglio, Cobra, Shelby, Steeda.
Boy I am happy I bought my Ford stock @ under 2bucks. (Sold half of it and bought my 8 two months ago).

Buy Ford stock at your peril.

They have over 100 billion in debt, are struggling to refinance a huge chunk of it, still lose money on every car they sell, the UAW is picking more battles with Ford, and their profit center (pickup trucks) sales are down 40% from last year's already depressed levels.

I am just stating the facts.

I think Ford's P/E ratio is along the lines of negative 55 or greater.

^^^Yup. Just because Ford didnt take a bailout doesn't mean they are in any better shape than the other 2. They are still on very thin ice and I wouldn't invest in any of them. I don't even see how other companies allow Ford to have that kind of credit. The crushing overhead in the US auto industry has to be brought way down or they will all be dead...and technically two of them already are.

symbiotic got it, but apparently a lot of other people did not.

FORD KEEPS THE SOLID REAR AXLE IN THERE INTENTIONALLY.

WHAT TYPE OF RACING ARE MUSTANGS KNOWN FOR?

HMMM, I DONT KNOW. MAYBE DRAG RACING?

since when do drag racers have IRS? there was a huuuuuuge argument in the camaro world where many camaro enthusiasts were very upset that chevy gave it IRS. ford kept in there for a reason. and its really not cost cutting. its about keeping the enthusiasts happy. and since when do we get angry at a company for that? (mazda, rotary, unprofitable, but its kept around? hmm.)

and unless you have serious intentions on purchasing a mustang for autocross/road racing, why are you upset about it?

symbiotic got it, but apparently a lot of other people did not.

FORD KEEPS THE SOLID REAR AXLE IN THERE INTENTIONALLY.

WHAT TYPE OF RACING ARE MUSTANGS KNOWN FOR?

HMMM, I DONT KNOW. MAYBE DRAG RACING?

since when do drag racers have IRS? there was a huuuuuuge argument in the camaro world where many camaro enthusiasts were very upset that chevy gave it IRS. ford kept in there for a reason. and its really not cost cutting. its about keeping the enthusiasts happy. and since when do we get angry at a company for that? (mazda, rotary, unprofitable, but its kept around? hmm.)

and unless you have serious intentions on purchasing a mustang for autocross/road racing, why are you upset about it?

Awesome post man, could not have said it better. I know while I had my RX-8 many people said why don't they put a turbo 4 in that...

Pardon my ignorance but "turbo 4"?

but its STILL a mustang... blah


Hey Grunge, why does your Santa hat have 2 white dots? lol I thought they only came with one...

Because the higher it revs the lower you can gear the car, so it will have more grunt at ALL rpm, including down low, assuming it still makes a good amount of torque at that rpm, which i'm sure it will at 3.7 liters. so you can have 280 ft/lb of torque and 280 bhp, or you can have a higher redline and also have 280 torque, but 305 bhp. so obviously higher revving is better.

Word, he RG had a hard time explaining it but yes, higher power in the upper RPM's is better for gearing purposes, having Max torque at 5200 rpms (Rx-8) is better than 3000 rpms because then the power would die out faster and the redline would be lower etc... if you can have a consistent about of torque from 3-5.5k that would be ideal (in my opinion).

symbiotic got it, but apparently a lot of other people did not.

FORD KEEPS THE SOLID REAR AXLE IN THERE INTENTIONALLY.

WHAT TYPE OF RACING ARE MUSTANGS KNOWN FOR?

HMMM, I DONT KNOW. MAYBE DRAG RACING?

since when do drag racers have IRS? there was a huuuuuuge argument in the camaro world where many camaro enthusiasts were very upset that chevy gave it IRS. ford kept in there for a reason. and its really not cost cutting. its about keeping the enthusiasts happy. and since when do we get angry at a company for that? (mazda, rotary, unprofitable, but its kept around? hmm.)

and unless you have serious intentions on purchasing a mustang for autocross/road racing, why are you upset about it?


Word....

And yes i know i should of multi-quoted people... :/ lol

The mustang is also getting a new V8 for 2011. Back to 5.0 liter displacement but with 400 horsepower.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2011-ford-mustang-specs-hit-the-web.html

Mulally has done an incredible job at Ford and is the only reason why the company is still in business. I agree, it is still an uphill battle for Ford but at least you can see strategy and progress.

The other two are as good as gone and were a waste of taxpayer money. Most of which the government estimates taxpayers won't be getting back. Just because they came out of bankruptcy in record time doesn't mean they have the strategy, money, or product line up to be successful.

yeah, i figured the new v8 would be 400hp. its what the camaro has, so its only logical.

Pardon my ignorance but "turbo 4"?

4 cylinder, turbocharged.

Hey Grunge, why does your Santa hat have 2 white dots? lol I thought they only came with one...

he doesnt. the last "dot" is a continuation of the brim.