The new '30-something' Mustang
Ford proves it's fun to be frugal with 300-plus-horsepower, 30-plus-mpg 2011 Mustang V-6
New Mustang V-6 With 305 HP Certified at 31 MPG Highway; Makes History as First Car With 300+ HP and 30+ MPG
DEARBORN, Mich. -- 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
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
30 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.
