DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford's 2011 Mustang is posting some impressive numbers, both for power and for fuel economy. The EPA has certified the V6-powered pony car at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city for the version with six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine puts out 305 horsepower, making this the first production car ever to pair 30-plus mpg and 300-plus hp, according to Ford.
The Mustang with V6 has a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With the manual, the car gets 30/19 mpg. The fact that the automatic betters the manual on fuel economy is "a shift in conventional wisdom," Ford noted.
The 2011 Mustang also gets an electric power-assist steering system (EPAS), a new front fascia, taller airdam and added rear deck lid seal and tire spats on the rear wheels.
The 2011 Mustang will be available in the spring, and Ford says more than 11,000 orders have been placed already — with half of those for the V6 version.
Inside Line says: Two good reasons to opt for the V6. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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cul8er says:
03:28 AM, 03/06/2010
I dream about this car.
zoolander1 says:
02:58 PM, 03/05/2010
icecubefosho: It could be the case that Ford 'doesn't understand' its numbers. But people have short memory, remember the Honda scandal how their MPG were hyped up by tweaking the speedometer?
Furthermore, you use the the 335i and the G37 as exaples of 300+ hp attaining similar mpg... and are those vehicles achieving claimed MPG in the real world? I doubt it.
I owned a 2007 IS350 306hp and the claimed mileage from Lexus is unattainable, simply impossible, especially in town. Highway was 10% less than claimed by manufacturer.
I drove a new 2006 Civic SI and it had horrendous MPG. Nowhere close to the EPA numbers. On the other hand, my 2004 Acura TSX was pretty close to its claims.
I currently drive a 2009 Audi A4 and I'm surprised how the mileage is very close to window sticker postings...
btrdayz says:
07:34 AM, 03/05/2010
Congratulations Ford! It's a shame that for all these years, the Big 3 fought against improved mileage standards for the sake of selling us old technology and reaping profits. I always knew US manufacturers had the engineering ability to increase HP and MPG, just as the Japanese had been doing. I had a 93 Camaro Z28 that had a 275 HP V8, and achieved 26 MPG Highway. Who would have thought back then that we'd produce a car that 1)Has more HP from a smaller engine, 2)Gets as many MPG as an old Honda Accord, and 3)Faster than the 93 card with the bigger engine?
For the folks comparing the Stang V6 and the Camaro V6, the reason the win goes to Ford is simply because the Stang is a little lighter, and it's only lighter because of the beam suspension. Drop the Camaro engine in the Stang, and most likely it would achieve the same or greater MPG figures. But when you're hustling your car on the crappy highways that surround major cities (in NYC, the FDR, Belt Parkway, etc) independant rear suspension makes a huge difference. In terms of road feel, and therefore, confidence, there is no comparison (as I found out 17 years ago racing that Z28 with beam rear against a 3 Series with indy rear) when the roads are pocked and curvy.
icecubefosho says:
10:05 PM, 03/04/2010
The 335i gets about 19mpg city and the G37 with 30 more horses gets about 18mpg.
The 31mpg claim is mostly marketing, and is subjective until real world tests can be done. Something tells me that Ford isn't understating their numbers, as they did with the Fusion. Nevertheless, even at 28mpg, I'd still be impressed with this new V6 Mustang.
blueguydotcom says:
09:01 PM, 03/04/2010
Jeremy_c, the EPA's testing now is drastically more realistic. Their numbers are actually conservative because so many people couldn't hit the estimates in the past. today the testing is on par with normal driving conditions...
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/
"Beginning with 2008 models, all fuel economy estimates based on new test methods, which EPA finalized in December 2006. The new methods better account for actual driving conditions that can lower fuel economy, such as high speed, aggressive driving, use of air conditioning, and cold temperature operation. The new estimates will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road. Because of the new methods, the estimates for most 2008 models will be lower than their 2007 counterparts. To aid consumers shopping for new cars, EPA has also redesigned the fuel economy window sticker posted on all new cars and light trucks to be easier to read and understand."
thedream21479 says:
04:42 PM, 03/04/2010
@daskiing1- I think I read somewhere that Ecoboost is already slated for the Mustang. It's only a matter of when not if.
jeremy_c says:
10:12 AM, 03/04/2010
Actually your mpg is totally related to how you drive. If you cruise at a steady pace, avoid braking and accelerating, you can probably get 30mpg or very close on most cars. The catch is that you cannot drive in these ideal situations everyday.
But with a 6 speed tranny and getting 31mpg, I think the ECU must have cut power drastically so the statement of a 305hp car attaining 31mpg is technically incorrect. A Bugatti Veyron can get 31mpg if you program the ECU to run on 1 cylinder. It's kind of like cheating and I won't be surprised if all manufacturers start to do the same.
blueguydotcom says:
09:56 AM, 03/04/2010
Icecubefosho, do you know of another 305 HP car that gets 20+ MPGs in city driving?
nicked says:
09:42 AM, 03/04/2010
Automatic gearbox(not those fancy double clutch) has been greatly improved over the last few years in term of efficiency.
windsor5 says:
09:36 AM, 03/04/2010
The reason the V8 will not be pushed out of the spotlight is the higher potential power of the v8.
People have for generations loved tuning their v8s after the purchase with a few simple tricks you can tune the current 4.6L up to 370 HP without superchargers or turbos. I reckon the same will be possible with the 5.0 to go well above 400 with similar tricks
thats before your slap on turbos and supers. these machines are meant to handle 600+ horsepower hence the solid rears
ecoboosting would put an end to that v6s due have their limits and while you might be able to get as much power as a v8 naturally aspirated your not going to touch it on the high end of its capacity.