REPORT: 2011 Ford Mustang to finally get new 3.7-liter DOHC V6
2010 Ford Mustang GT - Click above for high-res image gallery
When the 2010 Mustang was unveiled at the LA Auto Show last November, a collective groan arose from the crowd when it was revealed that the 2009 engine lineup was essentially being carried over. This was particularly true for the base V6 model being propelled by the ancient 4.0-liter V6 which dates back to the 2.8-liter Capri engine of the 1970s. At the debut, Ford asked us to be patient and promised that powertrain upgrades were forthcoming.
Ever since the 3.5-liter V6 debuted in the Edge and Lincoln MKX a couple of years back, Mustang have fans have wanted to see it under the hood of their favorite pony. The problem is that engine was designed for transverse front-wheel drive applications and needed some significant reworking to go into rear-drive layouts. That work has been ongoing in order to mount the new twin-turbo EcoBoost version in the F-150 pickup next year. This work is expected to translate into a normally aspirated version of the 3.5 or 3.7-liter V6 for the ponycar about a year from now, likely for the 2011 model year.
In fact, it's now being reportedly by The Mustang News that Ford showed a 3.7-liter Mustang at an employee townhall meeting recently, although no specs were revealed. In the MKS, the 3.7 churns out 273 hp with port fuel injection. With direct injection coming to the 3.5 EcoBoost, a normally aspirated DI 3.7 can't be out of the question either, with 300+ hp to match the heavier Chevrolet Camaro. Now, about that V8... Thanks to Shibby9505 for the tip!
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Mustang GT
[Source: TheMustangNews.com]
Photos Copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
gotsmart 11:34AM (6/16/2009)
How about the EcoBoost V6 in the Mustang?
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:52AM (6/16/2009)
That's what I'm wondering.
Steve_S 12:05PM (6/16/2009)
That's what everyone is thinking a good 350hp TT6 with the track pack. Then the 5.0 V-8 in over 400hp.
The base V-6 would do fine with 270hp as it's lighter than the Camaro and Challenger.
So something like 270, 350 and 415 seems like a good spread.
Robert 12:43PM (6/16/2009)
The 3.5 Ecoboost is coming... and it will be >350hp.
mozee 12:58PM (6/16/2009)
If the rumor is accurate, this would be the horsepower lineup based on currently used/reported engines:
3.7L V6 - 273hp (Lincoln MKS/Ford Taurus)
3.5L V6 w/EcoBoost - 365hp (Ford Taurus) or 355hp (Lincoln MKS/MKT & Ford Flex)
5.0L V8 - ~400hp
Not a bad lineup at all for the 2011 is this happens!
Farmboy 1:55PM (6/16/2009)
They mentioned it in the article about how EcoBoost is a FWD-specific engine...for now. I believe that once it is translated into the F150, Mustang will not be too far behind.
Hike15 11:36AM (6/16/2009)
if the continue to keep the weight down it should be one seriously quick car(with the track pack of course)
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John P. 11:40AM (6/16/2009)
Finally.
I think this would be an awesome motor for the Mustang. Not to mention, the sound these put out (Normally Aspirated) with a proper aftermarket exhaust is Sweeeeet!
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AZZO45b 11:56AM (6/16/2009)
I'll take the exhaust note of a V8 over any V6, anyday. WHY would I spend aftermarket $$$ to give myself a "sweet" exhaust note & when GM & Ford give me the BEST (& "sweetest" note) from their V8's for FREE???
I'm not being some American redneck endorsing the V8 sound... the Ferrari 430's (with V8 motors...) I heard through my surround sound @ the LeMans 24 last weekend sounded AWESOME as well!!! (big idea)
John P. 11:59AM (6/16/2009)
Hey, I agree the V8 mustangs sound great. One of the great sounding cars out there today, but it's nice to have options don't you think?
AZZO45b 12:11PM (6/16/2009)
Options are nice, agreed... but with a pony car I'm getting the V8. If I have to get a V6 'Stang or Camaro, I'll buy another type of car. JMO
A.N.E. 1:17PM (6/16/2009)
@AZZO45b:
Yeah, the Ferrari V8's sound awesome.
V6's have a goosey honk.
American V8's (Corvette) and the European flat V8's (Ferrari) sound very different however. Lookup Wikipedia for explanation.
AZZO45b 1:43PM (6/16/2009)
A.N.E. I also LOVE the Corvette C6-R's rumbling exhaust note!!!
I put the Ferrari 430 reference in there to point out the V8 (any 8 cylinder motor...) is NOT exclusive to American manufacturers (& that I wasn't a bubba who had contempt for a V6 or a 4-banger)!!!
Jim 2:07PM (6/16/2009)
"Yeah, the Ferrari V8's sound awesome.
V6's have a goosey honk."
V6s with a properly tuned exhaust don't sound bad. if improperly/not tuned at all, they can sound pretty... er... gurgly.
novanglus 6:15PM (6/16/2009)
Well, the number 1 reason for picking the V6 over the DOHC 5.0L Coyote motor would be the large weight difference. Currently the weight difference between a V6 and V8 is about 250lbs. And, that is currently with the 4.0L V6 having a big iron block and the V8 having a SOHC.
Now, enter into this equation; the 3.7L V6 is about 100lbs lighter than the Cologne 4.0L, as well the 5.0L Coyote which has bigger bore spacing (bigger block) and 2 cams per bank weighs about 40-50lbs more than the 4.6 Mod motor.
So, here we have a 250lb diff ballooning to 400lbs. So, 3200lb/300hp V6 or 3600lb/400hp V8? Not quite as huge a difference when you get down to hp per lb. 9lbs per hp for the v8, 10.6 for the V6. But the 400lbs will make a pretty huge difference in transient response.
So, which would you rather have as a driver's car? Be a tough choice, really.
ambientFLIER 8:05PM (6/16/2009)
"WHY would I spend aftermarket $$$ to give myself a "sweet" exhaust note & when GM & Ford give me the BEST (& "sweetest" note) from their V8's for FREE???"
Because it's not "free". The V8 costs more.
Novanglus - there is no way that there will be a 400lbs difference between the V6 and the V8 motors. Right now the 4.0 V6 isn't that much lighter than the 4.6, due to the V8 having an aluminum block, and I heard the upcoming 5.0 should weigh the same.
AZZO45b 11:49AM (6/16/2009)
WTF cares.... so one can tell their "green" friends their Mustang is eco friendly? PLEASE!!! :( :( :( Check the MPG numbers on the V6 Camaro & then compare to the V8 versions. Then check the performance numbers & the overall MSRP.
The fuel savings are MINIMAL... the V8 wins the performance tests (& why buy a pony car WITHOUT a V8 exhaust note???) & the cost savings is also MINIMAL (@ least for the Camaro...)
The V6 option is for rental car companies & what they used to call "secretary" cars. Why do people think dropping 2 cylinders equals better fuel economy?
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Redeemed 11:57AM (6/16/2009)
There are some reasons why people buy the V6 you are not considering:
A big reason is insurance. The rate on the V8 will kill some people and a 300HP V6 is a very good affordable alternative.
Also some people don't want or need the maximum possible horsepower. Horsepower isn't the main goal of all people when buying a Mustang or Camaro.
Finally the lower MSRP puts it into the reach of more people.
Allen 11:57AM (6/16/2009)
The 3.7L is a more efficient engine than the 4.0L. If Ford is true to their word (6spd transmissions across the board) then the combination of a more fuel efficient engine plus a better transmission makes for a (probable) 2-3mpg increase. I would expect a 3.7L equipped Mustang to rival the FE ratings of a V6 Camaro, which are quite impressive.
AZZO45b 12:29PM (6/16/2009)
Redeem: Some of my buddies in HS had 4 or 6 cylinder Mustangs & Camaros. Their insurance bills were only slightly LOWER than the rich kids driving Daddy's V8 models!!! Depending on the state you live... your paying for the "bad" performance crowd that shares your car's platform!!! If you are that tight on insurance budget... get another car & work some "stealth" performance into it. The one speeding ticket or general moving violation will have you PARKING the Mustang or Camaro (due to increased insurance)
FUEL ECONOMY: I'm more tuned into the Camaro line up. Camaro V6 (using basically the Cadillac CTS V6 gets: 18 city/ 29 hwy.
The V8 Camaro gets 16ciry /25 hwy. 2MPG difference in city driving... like I said MINIMAL. As for the HWY numbers... we all know EPA fuel #'s are achieved like driving like an old lady retiree from Florida!!! :) Basically your numbers will vary, eh? A good friend has a 97 Camaro... gets 26-27 on the freeway. My uncle had a Viper... let me take it for the weekend a few years back... I got 24MPG from a Dodge V-10!!!
I agree a 6-speed manual would help a higher revving V6... but unless I'm running in a specific SCCA class that rewards the V6... the V8 gives me more for my $$$. Again JMO & I understand people have budgets & a variety of needs. If GM & Ford need to market the V6 for sales (to preserve the performance packages)... its all good.
Just don't like when companies "sell" smaller engines as better MPG deals... not really true.