The sixth-generation Ford Mustang is a bit of a bet for the Blue Oval. Not only does it differentiate itself greatly from former models, but a four-cylinder mill has been slotted between the 3.7-liter V6 and 5L V8.
Nevertheless, customer demand is so high workers at the Flat Rock Assembly plant have a tough time manufacturing this pony, while things such as independent rear suspension, a Performance Package and the upcoming Shelby GT350 5.2-liter bruiser make the 2015 Ford Mustang the best on its breed.
As any proper gearhead knows, the mid-range 2.3-liter EcoBoost 'Stang has 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft (433 Nm) on tap thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharging system, which is a first for the Blue Oval. Tipping the scale at 3,532 pounds (1,602 kgs), the stick shift coupe is marginally heavier than the 2014 model year Ford Mustang with the V6.
Despite the added lard, the powertrain has been integrated very well. Tuner Woodbine Motorsports took such a pony (six-speed manual with optional Performance Package) and strapped it to a dyno, where the 2.3-liter 'Stang returned 276 rear wheel horsepower and 286 rear wheel pounds feet of torque on the first run and 275 RWHP and 291 RWTQ on the second, running 93 octane gas.
In Mustang-related news, an all-new GT V8-powered pony was drag raced this past weekend at the NMRA All Ford Finals held at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The bone stock GT coupe and its 5-liter Coyote vee eight boast with a hefty 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque, marginally better figures than the 2014 model year GT, the latter being some 87 pounds (39 kg) lighter than the 2015.
Still, the 3,705 lbs (1,680 kg) all-new Mustang GT coupe is a potent machine for weekend drag strip heroes. Despite you can hear the tires screeching more than the burble of that eight-cylinder mill, the driver of this particular GT managed to run the 1/4 mile in just 12.861 seconds at 107.08 mph on its first pass, running factory rubber. Not bad for a car that reportedly had just 130 miles on the clock when it did the run.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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