The thought of a four-cylinder American muscle car might have Mustang diehards recoiling in horror, but according to Ford’s powertrain VP Bob Fascetti, the new model's Ecoboost four has the right numbers to excite drivers.
Speaking to TMR at the Sydney unveiling of the new Mustang, Mr. Fascetti said that there was no apprehension within Ford about putting a four-cylinder motor under the long bonnet of the Mustang.
“Not when it’s turbocharged like this,” Fascetti told TMR.
“Our success with the ecoboost lineup in North America has surprised even us. The F150, when we put the 3.5 Ecoboost in it - it’s now over a 40 percent mix [of overall F150 sales].”
This isn’t the first time a turbocharged 2.3 litre four-cylinder has found its way into the iconic Mustang, however, unlike the 98kW inline four of the 1979 Mustang, the new engine develops a much healthier 227kW and 407Nm.
And with more power and torque than the naturally-aspirated 3.7 litre V6 that will be offered in the USA, Fascetti expects the four-cylinder to do well in the showrooms.
“Because it’s fun to drive, the torque is there right away, we really anticipate that when a customer gets in it [the four-cylinder Mustang], they’re going to like it,” he said.
When asked why Ford will persist with the atmo V6 (which develops 220kW and 366Nm), Fascetti said that it was all down to customer preference in the United States and Canada.
“The naturally-aspirated V6 has been very good for us in North America, so there’s still a good market for that engine,” he said.
“However when we look globally, we think the 2.3 [Ecoboost] is a better answer.
But while Ford is betting that the Ecoboost 2.3 will be a hit, Fascetti says that there are currently no plans to turbocharge the Mustang’s 313kW/529Nm 5.0 litre Coyote engine - even in the face of tightening emissions legislation which heavily favours turbocharged engines.
“We can meet emissions with the five litre, that’s not an issue,” Fascetti told TMR.
“As long as we can continue to meet the demands of what every new Mustang requires, I think it [the 5.0 V8] is going to be around a while.”
“Who would have thought we’d be getting the numbers we’re getting out of this engine now even three years ago?” he continued.
Asked if he thought turbocharging was necessary for the Mustang to stay relevant, Fascetti was clear:
“Not while we can provide these kinds of numbers, no.”
As for what lies in the Mustang’s future, Fascetti said that the options were open for an alternative-fuel Mustang.
“We’re turning Mustang into a global product now, so all our powertrain options are open,” he said.
“Just as we have great diesels in Europe, we’ve got the Ecoboost lineup in North America - we can do just about anything.
“We’re not looking at diesel at the moment, but given where we need to go with fuel consumption we are looking at all our options..
“And diesel is one of those options, along with hybrids and electric.”
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13 Comments
Surely it will be a cold day in hell if there is EVER, EVER, EVER any remote possibilty of a fricken DIESEL engine in a MUSTANG!:p
V8s til 3098!:-))
In the mid 80s the fastest mustang you could buy was the 2.3L SVO. 1986 - 153kw/336Nm
Muscle cars should be excluded from emission laws etc. Who in there right mind buys a performance car to "save the environment" and be fuel efficient. I have no problem with the four banger in it, it gives options. Some people like the whole idea of a 4 banger beating larger engine vehicles. And others just love a good rumble from a V8. Plus if this is priced at $40k (can only hope) for a 4 banger with those performance figures, a lot of people who considered the 86 may look at this...
Certainly emissions and fuel economy are unlikely to be high on the list when someone's shopping for a performance car. But that's no reason to exempt those cars from the same rules as everything else. It's just an invitation to exploit loopholes.
Spot-on. Emissions laws exist for the sake of the planet, not for the buyer.
I see things a little differently.... Vehicles today are not designed to last as they where in the past. Now i am talking from a diesel point of view as i see these on a daily basis... Because of emission, engine tolerances are much smaller. Engines cost more to produce and are not as reliable. A air leak in the intake or exhaust system of a vehicle fitted with a DPF can cost you $3,500 plus fitting. (this happens more then you may think) Never an issue before these tighter emission lays. Contaminated fuel is much more detrimental to common rail engines then in the past. With a much more expensive out come. New injectors up to $1000+, old ones $250-$450 and they where serviceable too, more tolerable and not another through away item. Now this is just a small example of many common issues with today's vehicles. Where my issue lies with this is that if the laws are here to "save the planet" as you say with better emissions. Ask your self this, Dose a diesel engine still burn the same diesel as an engine built 20 years ago? (emissions are now captured in the engine oil, catalytic converters and re burnt in DPF's) These still needs to be disposed of.. How common is a diesel engine (let alone the vehicle) built today likely to last 500,000km plus? With a common rail engine rebuild cost well over $15,000 if done correctly. Ok i'm just blabbering i know. My point i suppose i'm trying to make is, with the complexity, expense of repairs and the unreliability, we become more prone to trade up (or turf to the wreckers). We then becoming a through away society (as we have done with all our electronics etc.) This then costing the planet more. You ask a good mechanic (who has been in the industry for 10+ years) would he trust new or old technology. I know you will not agree, but there is more to emissions then just the fuel efficacy and what comes out the exhaust....
i like diesels, and they are allowed although the nano particles they emit cannot be caught by current DPF filter technology and are way nastier than what any "dirty" petrol or gas engines make - fact.
The only other thing to consider is that the ecoboost will weigh significantly less than the 5.0lt V8. This means less weight over the front axle and should mean better handling and less understeer.
Of course it will go well, but its a "4" now and always Like buying a HD Sportster, a pretend Harley We have seen this before the V6 Supercharged Monaro was a sales failure V8-OR-WALK:)
171 kW from a 3.8L supercharged V6 may have had something to do with the failure..
only a V8 for such a car. if you want a smaller more economical version in such a car, make a freaking ecoboost V8 then. :D