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Rumormill: 2015 Ford Mustang to get 2.3-liter EcoBoost

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Rumormill

Ford Mustang SVO

It’s that time of year again, kids. There are no auto shows on the horizon and most automakers have squirreled away all of their big announcements for later in the year in anticipation of the summer vacation season. What’s an enterprising auto journo to do but rustle up some tasty vintage rumors for the web to feast upon? The crew at Motor Authority has taken to citing unnamed sources as saying that a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is slated to find its way into the engine bay of the 2015 Ford Mustang.

This, of course, recalls the much-celebrated (but slow-selling) Mustang SVO of the ’80s. It, too, rocked a 2.3-liter forced-induction engine, which makes this particular rumor sound so sweet it makes sugar taste just like salt. MA doesn’t stop with the four-pot, though. The article goes on to say that an EcoBoost V6 will also show up in the pony car around the same time, and that the 5.0-liter V8 currently tucked behind the coupe’s grill will also stay along for the ride.

We hate to be the Debbie Downers of the interwebs, but we don’t necessarily see a turbo four sliding into the Mustang lineup anytime soon. For starters, Ford wouldn’t need to bore out the block to 2.3 liters to make solid power. The EcoBoost 2.0 already spits out 247 horsepower in the Focus ST – more than enough for a bottom-rung model.

Aside from that little tidbit, MA maintains that the rumored small 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 will power the also oft-rumored next-gen Ford Ranger successor in the States, a model we believe to be deader than the current news cycle.

2015 Ford Mustang to get 2.3-liter EcoBoost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Mustang dragster mule caught brandishing gargantuan hood scoop

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Racing

spy shots ford mustang drag racer

Spy Shots: Ford Mustang Drag Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our spy photographers have trained their expensive camera lenses on something very interesting. Caught running around one of Ford’s private test tracks, this Mustang is clearly set to live life a quarter mile at a time. Out back sits a pair of massive Hoosier slicks, while up front, a set of skinny Hoosiers are tucked under the fenders. Oh right, we’re not sure if you noticed, but there’s a massive hood scoop planted on the front of this pony car.

What’s going on under the hood? We don’t know. The front-end (minus the scoop) is from a GT500, while the rear end is standard Mustang GT attire. That scoop, however, looks like it was pulled off a Donzi 22 Shelby GT speedboat. Actually, scratch that… it looks even bigger. Check out this possible next-generation Mustang Cobra Jet by clicking through the gallery below.

Ford Mustang dragster mule caught brandishing gargantuan hood scoop originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook users choose “Mayhem” as name for new Mustang V6 performance package

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford

The Ford Mustang name is among the most iconic in the world, and performance variants like the Boss, Shelby and Bullitt are almost as memorable in the eyes of enthusiasts. While those names were no-doubt spawned by committee, the newest Mustang variant was given its name on Facebook.

Ford opened up a competition on the Mustang Facebook page to name the new V6 Performance Package, and “Mayhem Mustang Package” won out. The winning submission, which came from Jeremy Marler in North Carolina, was chosen from over 3,000 entries. Marler’s entry wins him a three-year lease on a 2012 Mustang with his Mayhem designation.

The Mayhem package features a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6, front and rear stabilizer bars, suspension and brakes from the Mustang GT and a 3.31 performance rear axle. To help differentiate the Mayhem Mustang from its less capable siblings, the variant will be given unique 19-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli performance rubber and Mayhem badging throughout.

The Mayhem package sounds like a performance bargain to us, and the name isn’t too shabby, either. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.

Continue reading Facebook users choose “Mayhem” as name for new Mustang V6 performance package

Facebook users choose “Mayhem” as name for new Mustang V6 performance package originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Ford

Tornado damaged Ford Mustang, Tuscaloosa, AL

Ford Mustang drives out of the rubble in Tuscaloosa, AL – Click above to watch the video after the jump.

The death toll from Wednesday’s tornadoes has reached a staggering 204 in the state of Alabama alone. The once proud university town of Tuscaloosa, home to the multi-time NCAA National Champion Crimson Tide football team, lies in ruin. For now, there isn’t much in the way of inspiring news from the state.

This morning, though, a video hit the web of a Tuscaloosa resident driving his Ford Mustang convertible out of the wreckage. The Mustang is far from a pretty sight, and likely won’t be moving anywhere else under its own grunt any time soon, but it’s inspiring nonetheless – a small glimmer that not all is lost.

True, a ragged, fifteen-year-old Ford dragging itself from the ruins of a terrible natural disaster isn’t exactly the feel-good hit of the summer. True, the car’s miraculous survival doesn’t serve as a sign that Alabama’s return to normal is right around the corner. What it does show, on however small a level, is that there’s always hope, no matter how bleak things get. Check out the video after the break. Thanks for the tip, Douglass!

[Source: WFAA]

Continue reading Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ford

1969 RTR-X Mustang

Vaughn Gittin Jr’s 1969 RTR-X Mustang – Click above for high-res image gallery

Formula Drift champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. unveiled his 1969 RTR-X Mustang at SEMA last year, and since then we’ve been hoping to see the car in action. We’re sure Vaughn’s been itching to get behind the wheel, as well, and he finally got the chance yesterday when he took the RTR-X out to Willow Springs Raceway for its very first test session.

A 1969 Mustang isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to drifting, but the RTR-X looked like a natural at getting sideways. Granted, this pony car has very little in common with your everyday 1969 Mustang. Under the hood is a tuned version of the Boss 302’s 5.0-liter V8, and the suspension looks more like something out of Formula 1 than from a vintage muscle car. You can read more about all the features of the RTR-X after the jump, or check out our photos from the test day in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Vaughn Gittin Jr’s 1969 RTR-X Mustang

Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play

Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Safety, Ford

2012 ford mustang boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford’s new M3-fightin’ Mustang, the 2012 Boss 302, is a 444-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive two-door designed to fight well above its weight class. Motor Trend decided to spend quality time with the coupe, and something scary happened. Not scary as in ‘whoa, this thing is scary fast’ but more along the lines of ‘call my tailor, I ruined my pants’ terrifying.

Part of M/T’s testing gauntlet includes a look at braking distance. Road Test Editor Scott Mortara ran the Ford up to 70 miles per hour. Now it was time to see how quickly he could bring it to zero. Typically, this is just a matter of mashing the brakes and holding on. The sound of straining tires is a sound that’s welcome, but a metallic snapping noise is not. Either way, the 2012 Boss 302 was a runaway pony.

Mortara used the six-speed manual transmission to reduce the coupe’s speed before exiting the track through a gap at its end. What went wrong? A pin that connects the brake pedal to the rod that actuates the master cylinder had failed and snapped off. Normally, the brake pedal connects to the rod in a manner that distributes the pressure evenly over a large surface area and would still actuate the brakes when one presses the pedal. The setup on this particular Mustang was faulty, and allowed for far more pressure on the individual piece that failed.

Ford has examined this car, as well as the brake installation process at its assembly plants. It seems this car is unique in its defect. Motor Trend contends that it’s possible the brake assembly was removed then reinstalled after the vehicle left the factory, which could explain why the part failed in such an abnormal manner. Check out the full story over at Motor Trend.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Source: Motor Trend]

Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Shelby targets younger crowd with GTS Mustang

Filed under: Aftermarket, New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Shelby GTS

2012 Shelby GTS – Click above for high-res image gallery

Designated as the spiritual successor of the Shelby GT that was built from 2007 to 2008, the new GTS represents the base model in the Shelby lineup. According to company president John Luft, Shelby’s average buyer is in their late ’50s, and the iconic tuner hopes to bring in a younger crowd with a more affordable offering.

Available as a post-title package on both the Mustang GT and the Mustang V6, the GTS includes a variety of upgrades including a Ford Racing handling pack, Borla exhaust system, Baer brakes, unique front fascia, Le Mans stripes and a deep-draw hood. Optional components include superchargers for both the V6 and the V8, a Watts-link rear suspension system, upgraded brakes and more.

Pricing for the Shelby GTS starts at $9,995, not including the base car, which means a customer can get their hands on one for as little as $32,000. You can read more details about the Shelby GTS in the official PR after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Shelby GTS: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Shelby GTS

[Source: Shelby]

Continue reading New York 2011: Shelby targets younger crowd with GTS Mustang

New York 2011: Shelby targets younger crowd with GTS Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Camaro sales still outpacing rival Ford Mustang

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Earnings/Financials

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro is still outselling the Ford Mustang, netting 19,972 sales through March compared to the Mustang’s 15,419. Both cars handily outsold the Dodge Challenger, which itself is selling fairly well with 9,742 units through the same period. This is the second year running (well, so far this year at least) that the Camaro has managed stronger sales figures than the Mustang, having overtaken it last year for the first time since 1985.

GM figures the Camaro’s success could be attributable to its relative newness in the pony car stable, having debuted in 2009. The Mustang has only undergone slight changes to its outward appearance since its 2004 redesign, though it’s been kept well freshened in the engine bay. To help boost Camaro sales, Chevrolet says the V6 will get an 11-horsepower bump by this summer, taking the base Camaro to a total of 323 horsepower.

With such a big sales head start, it seems unlikely the Camaro will be caught before the end of the year, despite Ford’s revised powertrain options for 2011 and the limited-production Mustang Boss 302 hitting dealerships soon.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Chevrolet Camaro sales still outpacing rival Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roush announces 2012 Stage 3 Mustang with 540 horsepower

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang

2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Stage 3 has always been the flagship of Roush’s modified Ford Mustang stable, and the supercharged pony car is making a return for 2012 with a new RS3 moniker. With 540 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Stage 3 replaces the 5XR as Roush’s most powerful offering.

Along with the extra power, the RS3 comes with a new graphics package that is available in six stripe colors and six accent colors, making for 288 color combinations. You can use Roush’s new online configurator to see what colors like Luminescent Lime and Red-Blooded American look on the car and add optional items like the 20-inch Hyper Black wheels and rear three-quarter window louvers. The 2012 RS3 Mustang starts at $59,945 and comes standard with a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. PR and full details after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang

[Source: Roush]

Continue reading Roush announces 2012 Stage 3 Mustang with 540 horsepower

Roush announces 2012 Stage 3 Mustang with 540 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Mustang Boss 302R captures first Grand-Am victory

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing

Multimatic Motorsports Mustang Boss 302R

Multimatic Motorsports Mustang Boss 302R – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has been quite successful in Grand-Am’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, most recently winning the championship in 2009 with the FR500C Mustang. Last year, Ford Racing introduced the Mustang Boss 302R into the series, but as with any new race car, it had various kinks and bugs to work through. The Boss 302R ended the 2010 race season without a victory, and the championship went to the BMW M3.

Things are looking up once again for the Mustang, however, with the Mustang Boss 302R taking its first victory this past weekend at Barber Motorsports park. Multimatic Motorsports drivers Scott Maxwell and Joe Foster brought home the win, while the Roush Boss 302R of Jack Roush Jr. finished in third place. The Multimatic Motorsports team is currently five points behind Turner Motorsports and its BMW M3.

You can read full details about the Boss 302R’s first victory in the press release after the jump, or hit up the gallery below for your full of high-res road racing pony cars.

Gallery: Multimatic Motorsports Mustang Boss 302R

[Source: Ford | Images: Grand-Am]

Continue reading Ford Mustang Boss 302R captures first Grand-Am victory

Ford Mustang Boss 302R captures first Grand-Am victory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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