The 2011 Ford Mustang GT features an all-new 5-liter V8 making 412hp and 390lb-ft of torque (or does it?). We’re not sure about 0-60 and 1/4 mile performance numbers, but we do know that the new GT is a fast bastard! This is all well and good, but we can’t forget about the new V6 Mustang. It makes 305hp and 280lb-ft of torque from a 3.7L motor that is far more sophisticated than the outgoing 4.0-liter that only made 210hp. Even better still is that it gets 31 mpg on the highway… Both cars can be equipped with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission (thank God).
I unfortunately couldn’t make it to California for the press launch of the new Ford Mustang V6 and GT, but my colleague, Jonny Lieberman of Autoblog made it, and he has two excellent reviews of the new pony cars.
Just to give you a taste of both stories:
Now, along comes the 2011 model year and you can throw everything you thought you knew about Ford’s entry-level pony car out the window. It simply no longer applies. Gone is the archaic, universally unloved and soon to be totally forgotten 4.0-liter V6. In its place is a very high-tech version of Ford and Mazda’s 3.7-liter 60-degree V6. With it, the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 produces 305 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque, and yet returns 31 mpg on the freeway according to the EPA.
Time to put it all together. I found myself actually saying, “This engine’s a pot of honey.” Out loud, with another human being in the car. Why would anyone make such a ridiculous statement? Probably because the new motor really is a pot of honey, specifically when you’re in fourth gear at 4,000 rpm and you bury the throttle. Turns out that 4,000 rpm is when peak torque (390 lb-ft) happens and the 5.0-liter V8 pulls like a jet airliner.
Hopefully I’ll have a review of the new pair of Mustangs soon for you guys to read yourselves. But until then, Jonny Lieberman’s are the official reviews that RawAutos is standing by.
