The Auto Writer

The 2011 Mustang beats Camaro with a more powerful, yet fuel efficient standard V6 engine.

A special note to my readers: I had planned to offer much more extensive coverage about the Geneva Motor Show here this week, but I’ve come down with a head cold that has made it difficult for me to function at a 100 percent level. That means I’ve decided to cancel coverage and go with stories already under development. I think an afternoon nap might be in order for me today….

2011 Ford Mustang

One story I’ve been following is the upcoming 2011 Ford Mustang. Ever since the Chevy Camaro made its return, the base Mustang has lagged—badly—against its bitter rival. The Camaro offers a more potent V6 and returns better gas mileage, putting it at a distinct advantage to the steed.

We all knew that the 4.0L V6 powering the Mustang was no match for the Camaro’s 3.6L V6, but when horsepower figures were released early on the Camaro won hands down offering 300 horses to the Mustang’s wimpy 210. More telling was the gas mileage differential: while both engines return 18 mpg around town, the Camaro bests the Mustang 29 to 26 on the highway. Camaro also offers leadership in a third category, torque, producing 273 lb.-ft of power compared to Mustang’s 240.

If there is a glaring difference between the Mustang and Camaro, that was made most evident in each model’s standard engine offering. Certainly not good news for Ford!

Efficient GM Engine

Ford saw what was coming in the Camaro well before its chief competitor returned to the market. That 3.6L V6 had been offered in various other GM models including the Cadillac CTS and Saturn Aura, a direct engine variable valve motor prized for is fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Ford’s 12 valve 4.0L has looked every bit like the holdover it is which means that the folks in Dearborn new that a replacement had to be readied as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, that engine replacement did not coincide with the release of the 2010 Ford Mustang, an important mid-cycle refresh designed to compete against the Camaro and the just released Dodge Challenger. Everywhere except under the hood the steed was competitive which meant that readying its replacement engine, a 3.7L V6, became all the more urgent. That engine is already powering various Lincoln models and the Ford Taurus, but it wasn’t ready for the 2010 steed.

New Day Dawns

This week Ford confirmed that the EPA had completed its certification of the 2011 Ford Mustang, ruling that the base engine paired with a six-speed manual returns 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. Notably, with a six-speed automatic the highway mileage improves to 31 mpg. Did someone say 305 horsepower too? Yes, that makes for a whopping 44 percent hp increase in just one year!

Definitely, the 2011 Mustang is a clear departure from the current model at least under the hood. It now offers what the earlier model should have included: a modern, potent and efficient engine. Minor changes to the fascia and electric steering also played in, allowing Ford to squeeze out better fuel economy without sacrificing power.

GM’s Next Move

Ford’s accomplishment is receiving well deserved press, but I must tell you that GM will find a way to respond. In addition, Ford will likely announce by next year that yet another engine offering, an EcoBoost 2.0L I4, will find its way under the Mustang’s hood. Eventually, the V8 will likely disappear with an EcoBoost V6 also available. But for today we have the best of what Ford has to offer, an economical, yet powerful standard engine destined to make a huge difference for this iconic pony car.

Production for the 2011 Ford Mustang begins this spring. Importantly, Ford says that they already have 11,000 orders to fill–half of whom are asking for the new V6.

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company