[RobtRoma]

The 2011 V6 Mustangs are getting a new engine and transmissions. It's a 3.7 liter motor with 305 hp and 280 foot-pounds of torque. The new transmissions are both 6 speeds, one automatic and one manual. Reported EPA numbers are 19/30 for the auto trans and 18/29 for the manual. To help achieve these numbers, Ford switched to electronic power steering (Boo!).

Also added to the new v6 'Stang:
- dual exhaust
- revised suspensions
- bigger brakes
- standard limited slip differential
- integrated blind spot mirrors
- an optional Performance Package.

The Performance Package "borrows the uprated front struts and rear shocks/springs from the V8 GT model, along with its thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and the rear lower control arms from the Shelby GT500. Also included is a 3.31 axle ratio for better acceleration, model-specific 19-inch alloys wrapped in Pirelli summer rubber, more lenient stability control programming with a dedicated sport mode, as well as a strut tower brace and the usual assortment of badges."

CLICK HERE to read the full article on AOL.com. CLICK HERE to the the photo gallery on AOL.com

Some of the images:

FRONT: Not much changed:

REAR: New dual exhaust! Nice...

DASH: New 160 mph speedo and 8000 rpm tach!

THE NEW MOTOR: Finally some real power!

The big question is... How are they going to improve the v8? Can't wait to see :calvin:

 

[2010Escape]

Geez....I remember the days of my fox body mustangs with 225hp and I thought they were quick. I later bought an SVT cobra with 305hp and it screamed. This car will do a 0-60 in the very low 6 second range and a 1/4 mile in the high 14's I would think.

 

[kkreit01]

Nice! Even the old truck/SUV motor does pretty good in the current V6 Mustang --although no match for V6 Camaro. It does 0-60 in high 6s.

 

[jonas1022]

The current V-6 from the Ranger truck is a far cry from the new Camaro V-6 engine, but it's way ahead of the old 3.8L V-6 in the SN-95 Mustangs. Both in HP and torque. Things are certainly heating up in the pony wars again! :cigar:

 

[rehctelf]

Hmm... how big of a shoehorn to get a 3.7 under my hood?
It would be pretty wild having another 100 ponies in the V6 stable.
What's craziest is that my fuel economy would probably improve to boot!

 

[RobtRoma]

Hmm... how big of a shoehorn to get a 3.7 under my hood? It would be pretty wild having another 100 ponies in the V6 stable. What's craziest is that my fuel economy would probably improve to boot!

LOL... I like your thinking. :thumb: 300 HP and 25+ mpg highway (just a guess with the weight penalty and the brick like aerodynamics).

 

[kkreit01]

Is this 3.7 based on the current ones found in Mazdas?

 

[jpark]

The Duratec 37 is derived from the Duratec 35 (Edge, 2010 Fusion Sport, MKX, MKZ, Flex, Taurus).

It has a 3mm bore increase. Mazda started using a version of this engine in the 2008 CX-9, but it's a Ford design -- and a really good one.

:thumb:

I noticed that the oil filter is shifted sideways in this application. In my Edge's 3.5, the filter is in the same location, but it's vertical, with the threaded end of the filter at the top. Oil changes are SOOO easy.

Oh, and the one thing that has really kept me from buying a Mustang is the current Explorer-based drivetrain in V6 models. A six-speed manual with the Duratec 37 in 2011? And the changes and refinements with 2010 redesign? Um, now I'm interested.

 

[kkreit01]

I always wondered why Ford hadn't used the 3.7 yet? Both are very potent though.

The "explorer" motor (4.0 SOHC) shouldn't even be used in Explorers anymore. It needs to be put out to rest. It was nice 10 years ago -- when replacing the OHV 4.0 (160 HP). The 4.6 in the Explorer gets better mileage than the 4.0. What's the point? ...and it's nearly impossible to find the V8 Explorers. I just don't get it. For '10, Ford is even making it more difficult to get the V8 -- by only offering it on EB and Limited models. I'm glad I got mine when I did. Sorry to get off topic. I vented, and I feel so much better.

 

[Jeff M]

The big question is... How are they going to improve the v8? Can't wait to see :calvin:

The 2011 Mustang GT will be sporting a 5.0L 400hp Coyote V8

With the GT500 rumored to get a Twin Turbo vesion of the Coyote motor sporting 600+hp.

 

[stone]

Thank you for the pictures Rob. :thumb:

 

[kkreit01]

It's kind of odd how Ford has been changing model appearance one year, and then waiting a year to make the powertrain upgrades. Less problems? They did it with E/M/T in 08/09, and now Mustang in 10/11.

They didn't do it that way with Fusion though. Odd.

 

[Squishy]

Or they could be trying to have their cake and eat it too. Appearance change draws in new sales that year, and then the powertrain changes draw in yet more customers the next year.

They could just commit to a three-year refresh cycle and stagger it with exterior upgrade, interior upgrade, and powertrain upgrade year after year. Neverending temptation.

 

[Wingsfan]

Looks like they are trying to compete with the V6 Camaro.

 

[ISU01XCapeXLT]

Well, I was thinking about getting a Mustang early next year, but you can count on me waiting another year to get a new 5.0.

 

[tang]

My dad has one of these on lease right now. Hopefully I can snap a few pictures of and drive it when I go back home in a few weeks.

 

[SUVord]

My dad has one of these on lease right now. Hopefully I can snap a few pictures of and drive it when I go back home in a few weeks.

Is your dad negotiable?
Is your dad fan of exquisite drives?
If the answer is yes to both of the above then persuade him for a trip to Europe and let him lease a Focus RS. Most probably he will hate the color of it and will let you drive it all the time.
No live rear axle, full throttle and turns like a train. :taz:

 

[tang]

Sounds great, but I still need to learn how to properly drive a stick. :bang:

 

[TR993]

I just traded a Bullitt Mustang (2008) in on my escape. The V8 with a cold air intake and stainless exhaust put out 315rwhp. The new v6 is pretty much just as fast....and much better fuel efficiency. I was getting about 10 m.p.g. RIDICULOUS. But what a fun ride when you could get rubber easily through 3rd gear....through 4 if you tried a little harder.

So, midlife crisis being over....off went the Bullitt and in came the Escape. :shrug: This is what is looked like the day I brought it home. I removed the front plate for a cleaner look at the nose.

 

[UK PONY]

The 4.0 just needs a blower to wake it up..my CS6 is putting out 366hp at the crank (with some tweaking there are more ponies in there) :yahoo: ...next will come the stage 3 heads and with them another 80hp

The question will eventually come as to whether I buy an '05 coupe and start to build it to become another CS6 (you know for those wet weather days when taking my show car out would make me cry..lol) & keep the Escape or trade in the 'scape against a Kona Blue 2011+ coupe