Rumormill: EcoBoost V8 Ford Shelby Mustang in the pipeline?
2010 Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Here's one we've been hearing rumors about for quite a while – an EcoBoosted V8 Mustang. Put another way, a twin-turbo, direct-injected, V8 Shelby GT500. The first rumor we heard was about a twin-turbo 50th Anniversary Edition 2014 1/2 Mustang, which would be the very definition of the word "Sweet!" We asked about this mythical car point blank to several fairly high-ranking Ford execs, only to be stared back at in silence. Although one dude – who shall remain nameless – did crack a knowing smile and asked, "Who told you that?"
Regardless of our shoddy scooping, The Detroit Bureau's Paul Eisenstein is now claiming that according to several unnamed sources, Ford is considering such a beast of an engine. Good idea? We think so. Not that there's much wrong with the GT500's current supercharged 5.4-liter monster, especially as it's pretty underrated at 540 hp. But it is a little long in the tooth being essentially a ten-year-old Ford GT power plant with a couple of changes. Not that current GT500 owners care, but at full clip, the Shelby gets... how to put this kindly... abso-fricking-lutely abysmal mileage.
We also know that while the current Taurus SHO's EcoBoost V6 makes an impressive 365 ponies, 600 horsepower is there for the asking (a little tuning, sure, but the engine can do it). With that in mind, can you even imagine the levels of sound and fury a twin-turbo V8 could unleash? Eisenstein doesn't mention it, but Ford wouldn't be slapping turbos on the old 5.4-liter or the older 4.6-liter modular engine. The EcoBoosting would be applied to the new 5.0-liter Coyote V8. When General Motors introduced LS3 V8 a few years back, it was noted by many that the intake manifold looked suspiciously like it was designed with forced induction in mind. We've heard similar rumors about the Coyote.
[Source: thedetroitbureau.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dan 8:08PM (11/13/2009)
Put it in the Raptor.
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JayP 8:39PM (11/13/2009)
The GT engine started in the Lightning...
Rob 8:20PM (11/13/2009)
I love the exec reactions. I would have acted convincingly ignorant and insisted it was a good idea I would pass along.
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TheCheat 8:47PM (11/13/2009)
Okay, so this is really crude math, and I'm sure lots of people will think it's stupid...
But if the V6 can make 600 ponies (not sure how easy that is...) Then the V8 could be making around 800 with some tuning? (no idea how much tuning). 800hp in a mustang? Dang I wish I had money.
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tony 8:55PM (11/13/2009)
Wow if they keep the GT500's ~$50-60k pricebut pump out 600+ horsepower they could have a ZR1 killer.
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Andrew T 10:16PM (11/13/2009)
Zr1 killer in what aspect? Cause as much as I love the idea of an Ecoboosted mustang, I just dont see it coming anywhere close to the track performance of a Zr1. Your comparing an apple to an orange. dont just see "American" and "Big Power" and reach for that connection. there is alot more to it.
Jared 10:28PM (11/13/2009)
ZR1 killer? No. Too heavy and the center of gravity is too high.
iamhoff 12:44AM (11/14/2009)
Exactly what I said in my blog (http://hereshowiwoulddoit.blogspot.com/2008/05/ford.html) back in May '08. Mustang Pony would have a 2.5L ecoBoost 4cyl putting out 240-250 hp, in homage to the awesome LX 5.0s of the 80s, the Mustang LX would have the 3.5L ecoBoost V6 rated at 350-360 hp, the standard Mustang GT would have a D.I. 5.0L V8 rated at approx. 400 hp, the "special edition" 'Stangs (GT/CS, Boss, Bullitt, etc.) would have either a bored out 5.8L (my nod to heritage) or a properly tuned Coyote V8 putting out 440-450 hp, and then an ecoBoost V8 (again for heritage, I picked a bored out 7.0L, 429 c.i.) rated at 600 hp for the GT500.
Paul P. 8:55PM (11/13/2009)
I figured this was inevitable. The 5.4L (and the new 6.2L) are really too big and too heavy for a car application. Sure, they'll squeeze in there and make plenty of power, but the smaller block design (4.6L /5.0L) is really the much better choice. I think a twin turbo 5.0L making ~550-600hp in a cobra with reduced weight will do just fine. In fact, I think it could be the makings of an even better Cobra overall.
The only thing that worries me is the sound. Supercharged mustangs have an awesome exhaust note that I would hate to loose. Hopefully they'll take that into account with the new engine designs.
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Lar7789789 9:18PM (11/13/2009)
Yea I hear you man, I would still love to see Ford shove their Boss 6.2 liter in the Shelby or at least some Mustang, just for some bragging rights anyways.
But I think a twin turbocharged Mustang would be downright sick and bad ass all the way, regardless of whether its an eco-boost engine or not.
Lar7789789 9:36PM (11/13/2009)
either way, its about time Ford got a twin turbo Mustang out there
Jim 10:02PM (11/13/2009)
"The 5.4L (and the new 6.2L) are really too big and too heavy for a car application. Sure, they'll squeeze in there and make plenty of power, but the smaller block design (4.6L /5.0L) is really the much better choice"
the 5.4 block isn't appreciably larger than the 4.6; the deck is taller but that's about it. Same bore spacing, same overall length.
LaserRed38 10:24PM (11/13/2009)
What Jim said. And the new 5.0 shares nothing with the modular motors. It's a new design. It's basically the 3.7 V6 + 2 cylinders...
DE07GT 12:03AM (11/14/2009)
A twin-turbo V8 with 550-600 HP in a lighter GT500 would be the same as the leaving the current engine and shedding some weight without the bottom end torque of a roots blower. Stock 2010's have put down 470-511HP at the wheels, which means some 2010's are already at 600HP. If they switch to twin-turbo, it'd have to be a power increase over the underrated supercharged 5.4.
naggs 5:03AM (11/14/2009)
reduced weight and more power is a tough combo to pull off even with an aluminum block
if the engine can take boost it will be able to make big power, if it can rev it will make big power, if it can do both the sky is the limit
in the future, ford big block and small block will refer to the TT v6 and TT v8
Poopy 9:10AM (11/14/2009)
Actually Laser,
The 3.7L Duratec V6 shares NOTHING with the new Coyote V8.
The Duratec is a 60 Degree V6 and the Coyote will be a 90 degree V8. It is a myth, stop repeating it.
Venom 9:06PM (11/13/2009)
"Rollin...in my 5.0 with my rag top down so my hair can blow.."
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Clavius 9:06PM (11/13/2009)
Ok.. so hmm.. how can I put this. They say the EcoBoost 4 has the power of a 6 yet the mileage of a 4. The EcoBoost 6 has the power of a 8 but the mileage of a 6. So in continuing the trend one could assume that the EcoBoost 8 will have the power of a 10 with the mileage of a 8. Am I wrong in this thinking?
If this does happen then wow... not a huge 'stang fan but with that much power and if anything maybe for a reasonable price I may have to start looking at the 'stang.
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Matt 12:11AM (11/14/2009)
Ford lies.
The Egoboost V6 does NOT have V8 power with V6 Economy.
Hyundai makes a 4.6L V8 with more power than the egoboost 3.5...and it gets the same mileage as the Taurus SHOW/MKS.
Poopy 9:13AM (11/14/2009)
Matt...
The Genesis doesn't have AWD you freaking Tard. Compare it to other AWD vehicles with V8's and it gets significantly better fuel economy.
AWD systems have more rotational mass, more friction, and more weight to carry.
Apples to Apples for Matt the retard
(V6) AWD Lincoln MKS Ecoboost - 17/25
(V8) AWD Audi S4 08' - 14/21
(V8) AWD Cadillac STS - 15/22
(V8) AWD Chrysisler 300C - 16/23
(V8) AWD Infiniti M45 - 14/20
(V8) AWD Mercedes E550 4-Matic - 13/19
The reason it has AWD is because 300+ horsepower is a waste in FWD application. Just ask most Cadillac owners.