NEW MUSTANG V-6 WITH 305 HP CERTIFIED AT 31 MPG HIGHWAY; MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST CAR WITH 300+ HP AND 30+ MPG
- New 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 final fuel economy certified by EPA this week at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city
- On sale this spring, Mustang with new 3.7-liter V-6 achieves 305 hp with available six-speed automatic transmission; first car ever to achieve 300-plus horsepower and 30-plus mpg
- New Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders, half for the new V-6
DEARBORN, Mich., March 4, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang today breaks new ground, cracking the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce more than 300 horsepower and more than 30 mpg highway.
The Mustang’s official EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. The standard six-speed manual transmission is rated at 29 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.
“The Mustang engineering team aimed high and, through hard work, achieved fuel economy numbers that elevate Mustang into a class by itself,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.
“At no other time in Mustang’s history – for that matter, in automotive history – have we been able to talk about 305 horsepower and 31 miles per gallon. The Mustang truly is a no-compromises sports car,” said Kuzak.
Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine’s overall efficiency.
The fact that Mustang achieves its top fuel economy rating with the convenience of an automatic transmission also marks a shift in conventional wisdom. Ford engineered a modern six-speed automatic transmission with carefully calibrated gear ratios and shift programs to maximize economy, while still delivering high-horsepower driving fun.
“Advanced powertrains like our Ti-VCT V-6 and six-speed automatic really speak to the future of Mustang,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. “We’ve proven that, using technology, Ford can deliver both power and fuel economy.”
In addition to engine improvements, upgrades to Mustang’s body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the higher fuel economy numbers for 2011. Examples include:
- New Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump
- Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance
- Aerodynamic changes include improvements like a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal
The new 2011 Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders. Half of all the nationwide orders are for the car’s fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The 2011 Mustangs are also being equipped with record levels of technology, giving customers the option of choosing navigation, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and rearview cameras.
The new 2011 Mustang goes on sale this spring and will be built at the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.
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“Well the official certification results are in, and the Mustang gets 31 mpg highway, making it the first car with over 300 horsepower to get over 30 mpg.”
That’s impressive. Particularly since the 2008 EPA change in the MPG estimation method (to account for speed, A/C use and cold-temp driving). It lowered all the estimates by roughly 12%. That means that had Ford made this Mustang back in 2007, it would have gotten a rating of 35 mpg.
Between this and the Taurus SHO getting 28 mpg, Ford is leapfrogging GM and Chrysler in fuel efficient muscle cars. Hopefully, this will spur them to try to leapfrog back in front. Maybe we can have MPG wars instead of horsepower wars for a while.
“Well the official certification results are in, and the Mustang gets 31 mpg highway, making it the first car with over 300 horsepower to get over 30 mpg.”
That’s impressive. Particularly since the 2008 EPA change in the MPG estimation method (to account for speed, A/C use and cold-temp driving). It lowered all the estimates by roughly 12%. That means that had Ford made this Mustang back in 2007, it would have gotten a rating of 35 mpg.
Between this and the Taurus SHO getting 28 mpg, Ford is leapfrogging GM and Chrysler in fuel efficient muscle cars. Hopefully, this will spur them to try to leapfrog back in front. Maybe we can have MPG wars instead of horsepower wars for a while.
This is indeed impressive. Congrats to Ford. I am now anxious to see where this car is priced. The Genesis Coupe delivers these numbers also, for about 32k, you get it fully loaded, and with an amazing warranty. I hope Ford can bring this to the dealers with a similar price tag, or even better!
This is indeed impressive. Congrats to Ford. I am now anxious to see where this car is priced. The Genesis Coupe delivers these numbers also, for about 32k, you get it fully loaded, and with an amazing warranty. I hope Ford can bring this to the dealers with a similar price tag, or even better!
Well done to Ford. It’s a sharp looking car.
Well done to Ford. It’s a sharp looking car.
I have a Genesis Coupe and plan on trading it in…maybe for a 350Z. The GenCp does not have any power until you hit 4500 RPM+.
Why not have MPG and HP wars….more efficient = more power.
I have a Genesis Coupe and plan on trading it in…maybe for a 350Z. The GenCp does not have any power until you hit 4500 RPM+.
Why not have MPG and HP wars….more efficient = more power.