2011 Mustang 305HP and 30mpg

[zoiks]

I gotta admit that Mustangs have come a long way and no matter which way you look at it, 305hp and 30mpg is damn awesome. Personally I'd really prefer the 412HP V8 motor though.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/2011-ford-mustang-sales-off-to-a-good-start/1#comments

 

[brblx]

didn't the ~280hp LS1 f bodies achieve similar mileage? probably the same strategy- relatively low drag and a [numerically] low top gear.

 

[LTC8K6]

R*

 

[EightySix Four]

R*

This x1000

 

[SparkyJJO]

didn't the ~280hp LS1 f bodies achieve similar mileage? probably the same strategy- relatively low drag and a [numerically] low top gear.

Yes.

So it took Ford 12 years to catch up? jk

 

[MJinZ]

Hell yea 30MPG is impressive enough, 300HP is even better.

The Mustang V6 is FINALLY a good buy, and not a dog. Being lighter than a V8, it should handle better too.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Hell yea 30MPG is impressive enough, 300HP is even better.

The Mustang V6 is FINALLY a good buy, and not a dog. Being lighter than a V8, it should handle better too.

Maybe, maybe not. The v6 may have dumbed down suspension and/or steering components.

 

[MJinZ]

Maybe, maybe not. The v6 may have dumbed down suspension and/or steering components.

Let's just say it WILL handle better if you want it to with a few mods here and there.

 

[EightySix Four]

Maybe, maybe not. The v6 may have dumbed down suspension and/or steering components.

Can't find where I read it, pretty sure it was autoblog, but the new 2011 V6 has the same suspension as the old models track pack. Should be a beast.

 

[Eli]

There's nothing new about this.

The '10 'vette develops 430HP and gets 26MPG, which is actually better statistically. Ah, the power of.. power.

 

[MJinZ]

There's nothing new about this.

The '10 'vette develops 430HP and gets 26MPG, which is actually better statistically. Ah, the power of.. power.

Vette is a tiny 2 seater, can't compare to a Coupe like the Mustang.

 

[Eli]

Vette is a tiny 2 seater, can't compare to a Coupe like the Mustang.

True. I was just comparing power to MPG.

 

[overst33r]

Vette is a tiny 2 seater, can't compare to a Coupe like the Mustang.

He was comparing engines. Weight has little/no effect on Hwy mpg. It basically comes down to gearing and aerodynamics.

 

[brblx]

the 'vette is surely a good bit more slippery than the mustang.

i think the camaro is a better point of comparison in all respects. but the the general idea behind all these models is the same- a big engine with lots of torque down low doing barely more than idling down the freeway. it makes sense that in many cases that would get similar mileage to a tiny four banger screaming along at four grand.

 

[TraumaRN]

the 'vette is surely a good bit more slippery than the mustang.

i think the camaro is a better point of comparison in all respects. but the the general idea behind all these models is the same- a big engine with lots of torque down low doing barely more than idling down the freeway. it makes sense that in many cases that would get similar mileage to a tiny four banger screaming along at four grand.

This is true, however with many of the new transmissions you are seeing I-4 and V-6s with very low RPMs at cruising speed. My Fusion Hybrid's e-CVT keeps my four banger at about 16-1750RPM at 65mph. Even lower if I have CC on and going on a slight downhill.

I know for the Mustang and the Edge(which both get the 3.7L V6 for 2011) that the Ti-VCT(twin independent variable cam timing) has a lot to do with the car being able to get such good highway mileage, from what I read basically at relatively steady cruising speeds the valve timing changes as such to basically a modified Atkinson cycle which is more fuel efficient then the plain old Otto cycle.

 

[StageLeft]

It's a shame these domestic cars seem to beat the imports so summarily. Look at the G37 Coupe, for example. Similar kind of car and horsepower, 6 cylinders also but rated at 17/25 and that's on premium. Is this rustang on premium? I am guessing it's not, which is even more win. And the v6 camaro is also impressive in its power/weight/mileage numbers.

 

[TehMac]

The Infiniti, especially the g35, is overrated and bloated

 

[LTC8K6]

It's a shame these domestic cars seem to beat the imports so summarily. Look at the G37 Coupe, for example. Similar kind of car and horsepower, 6 cylinders also but rated at 17/25 and that's on premium. Is this rustang on premium? I am guessing it's not, which is even more win. And the v6 camaro is also impressive in its power/weight/mileage numbers.

Yeah, it's a shame the Japanese can't design such good engines...

How many times have we heard this about American companies?

 

[StageLeft]

Yeah, it's a shame the Japanese can't design such good engines...

How many times have we heard this about American companies?

Heard what? Them not making good engines? A lot. I know the Nissan's one is well rated. I'm just wondering what defense it has for getting such worse mileage between the G37 coupe and a V6 mustang. Is the Coupe tons heavier? Grossly unaerodynamic? Or is its powertrain really just inferior and last gen tech?

 

[LTC8K6]

Heard that Japanese engines are superior...

 

[SparkyJJO]

Let's just say it WILL handle better if you want it to with a few mods here and there.

Well mod anything properly and of course it'll handle better

Can't find where I read it, pretty sure it was autoblog, but the new 2011 V6 has the same suspension as the old models track pack. Should be a beast.

OK wasn't sure.

 

[MJinZ]

Heard what? Them not making good engines? A lot. I know the Nissan's one is well rated. I'm just wondering what defense it has for getting such worse mileage between the G37 coupe and a V6 mustang. Is the Coupe tons heavier? Grossly unaerodynamic? Or is its powertrain really just inferior and last gen tech?

Well, the Nissan VQs produce more HP (337 I think), the hit in MPG is not strictly engine related. It has to do with gearing, wheels, tires, weight, etc.

Also real world Fuel Economy is different than the EPA numbers. The Fusion Hybrid comes up extremely short in real world tests (gets similar MPGs with the Camry Hybrid), though it's EPA rating is much higher.

Usage is also huge. My 2GR-FE gets me 19/28 in my car, however I have only once gotten 28MPG during a long trip. I usually get 20-25mpg, and I do mostly highway.

 

[MJinZ]

Well mod anything properly and of course it'll handle better



OK wasn't sure.

I meant given the same mods, the V6 will handle better than V8 due to weight.

 

[arcenite]

I meant given the same mods, the V6 will handle better than V8 due to weight.

Unless the V8 is made from soda cans

 

[KeithP]

Maybe, maybe not. The v6 may have dumbed down suspension and/or steering components.

From http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0904_2011_ford_mustang_v6_ride/index.html

Later in 2010, probably by mid-summer, Ford will also offer an optional Performance Package -- which includes the 3.31 axle, the suspension of the 2010 GT, 19-inch wheels wearing summer performance tires, the convertible's shock-tower brace, and a specially calibrated stability-control system with sport mode.

I would think the 3.31 axle would hurt the mileage a bit but handling, at least with this option package, should be good.

-KeithP