LA Auto Show Preview 2011 Mustang

Ok, my dad bought a new Mustang in 1964, and a new one every year thereafter until 1970. Most were manual 3spd, 289c.i. coupe in metallic light blue. I remember leaving a motel outside of Ottawa on the way to Montreal in 1970 with his new 302c.i. (5.0L) V8 and a new four speed manual and he had also initiated his pilot's licence at the time. This "donk" put out some decent power figures, 220hp/330/b.ft. Fasten your seatbelts, ready for takeoff. That car felt like it had a lot of torque and was some serious excitement for the 12 yr old in the passenger seat.

Now, we have a new Mustang, making phenomenal sales for Ford (he one that DIDN'T take any government money), including some pretty excellent advanced technology. Not the least of which is a 3.7L V6 that puts out 305hp AND gets 30mpg? Long live the InternalCombustionEngine - sure we'll have to make changes, and SHOULD make changes and ARE making changes, but for now and then, AmericanMuscle (Mustang-Camaro-Challenger-Viper-Corvette-etc) has nor substitute.

LA Preview: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 makes 305 HP, gets 30 MPG

by Chris Paukert (RSS feed) on Nov 30th, 2009 at 12:01AM

2011 Ford Mustang V6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It would be reasonable to expect that Ford might pass over theMustang and instead devote more attention to its other models since it's fresh off a comprehensive revamp for the 2010 model year. However, that's not what is shaping up in the House That Henry Built.

For 2011, the Blue Oval is introducing a new 3.7-liter V6 Mustang that should give it the firepower and refinement needed to take on Chevrolet's six-cylinder Camaro and Hyundai's upstart Genesis Coupe. But it isn't just the spanking all-aluminum powerplant and its 305 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque that's making the scene for the forthcoming model year. In addition to the Cleveland-sourced mill, there are a pair of fresh gearboxes, a new V6 performance package, and a host of nip/tucks to the interior and elsewhere.

Now, we could grouse on behalf of 2010 MY 'Stang owners everywhere that these upgrades weren't part of last year's mid-life updo, but instead, we'll just be happy that these advancements are arriving at all.

Despite being smaller than the outgoing 4.0-liter V6, the dual-overhead cam 3.7-liter's horsepower and torque ratings represent massive improvements over the 2010 model (305 HP dismisses 210 HP and 280 lb-ft. plays 240 torques). In fact, that's more horsepower than the 4.6-liter V8 Mustang made just a few years ago. While the 305-horse figure only allows the Mustang to pip the crosstown Camaro by a single all-important stallion in the pony car bragging wars, Ford says the powertrain will be good for 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway when paired with its new six-speed automatic, also one notch better than the Chevy.

Click through to the jump to read more details and check out Ford's suite of press releases.