Ford Greens Its 2015 Mustang With Ecoboost Power
Ford
is shedding light today on the next generation of its Mustang pony car
announcing it will be back with four-cylinder turbocharged power.
The Mustang was available for a few years in the early 80’s with a turbocharged four, giving birth to the SVO Mustangs.
The new 4-cylinder engine has nothing in common with its ancestor and
Ford said it is an all-new engine, part of the EcoBoost family.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost to be part of the 2015 Mustang engine choice
uses direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging to deliver
what Ford qualifies as plenty of usable performance and projected
segment-leading fuel efficiency. A unique intake manifold and
turbocharger housing help the engine output reach a projected 305
horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.
“This EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to,
with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for
easy passing or hustling down a twisty road,” says Dave Pericak, Ford
Mustang chief engineer.
The Mustang will continue being a pony car in continuing to offer a
V8. The Mustang GT will be powered by the latest edition of Ford’s
5.0-liter V8, now featuring an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads
that yield more than 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Ford
says a new intake manifold improves low-speed breathing for better fuel
economy, idle stability and emissions.
A third engine choice will be the 3.7-liter V6, rated at 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet. of torque.
“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car,” says Raj Nair,
Ford group vice president, global product development. “The visceral
look, sound and performance of Mustang resonates with people, even if
they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car –
it is the heart and soul of Ford.”
Back to the EcoBoost, Ford said this engine has been developed
specifically for Mustang. The intake manifold and turbocharger housing
are optimized to provide better breathing and higher output in Mustang.
“This EcoBoost engine delivers the healthy output that Mustang
drivers expect regardless of the speed,” said Scott Makowksi, EcoBoost
powertrain engineering manager. “This EcoBoost engine might be small in
displacement, but it delivers where a Mustang driver expects it with a
broad, flat torque curve and great driveability under any conditions.”
Ford said this 2.3-liter takes advantage of state-of-the-art
technologies including direct fuel injection, twin independent variable
camshaft timing and turbocharging to produce big-engine power and torque
with improved fuel efficiency.
This is the first Ford engine to utilize a low-inertia twin-scroll
turbocharger; this type of turbo provides quicker boost response while
enabling lower emissions and improved efficiency. The cylinder head
features an integrated exhaust manifold that separates the inner and
outer pairs of cylinders into each inlet passage to the turbo. Keeping
the exhaust pulses separated from the next cylinder in the firing order
eliminates mixing losses and maximizes pulse energy to the turbine
wheel. The result, explains Ford’s engineers, is quicker torque delivery
when the driver needs it for passing maneuvers and similar performance
to a twin-turbocharger configuration.
The separated exhaust ports also enable the exhaust valves to stay
open longer for reduced pumping losses that improve specific fuel
consumption by about 1 percent, per Ford.
The company added ensuring durability was critical; enhancements to
the Mustang EcoBoost engine to withstand the added stresses include:
- Forged-steel crankshaft
- Piston-cooling jets
- Steel piston ring carriers
- Premium bearing materials
- Upgraded valve seat materials
- Forged-steel connecting rods
- High-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block with ladder-frame bearing caps
- Deep-sump, die-cast aluminum oil pan
Ford will offer the new Mustang with the choice of a fully manual gearbox or the updated automatic transmission.
The Getrag manual has a new shift linkage design for shorter throws
and improved precision while the shift lever is now positioned closer to
the driver and away from the cup-holders so the driver has a clear path
for shifting.
For drivers who prefer to let the car handle the shifting during
their daily work run, but still want to take control when the roads get
twisty, Ford designed new steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles with
rev-matching downshifts that are now standard with the Select-Shift
six-speed automatic transmission.
The automatic also features a redesigned case with cast-in ribs that
help make it stiffer and reduce the weight. Internal clutches have been
optimized and operating temperature has been increased to reduce
friction. The output shaft is now supported by a ball-bearing that
enables a top speed of 155 mph for Mustang GT.
Another new technical aspect of this new generation of Mustang is it
is relegating the rigid rear axle to history; the Mustang features
all-new front and rear suspension systems.
At the front, Ford said a new perimeter subframe helps to stiffen the
structure while reducing mass, providing a better foundation for more
predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride. The
new double-ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the
use of larger, more powerful brakes. This is expected to be the best
stopping Mustang yet, with three available brake packages.
At the rear is an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension.
The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically
modified and tuned for this high-performance application. New aluminum
rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.
Ford has not yet revealed estimated fuel consumption figures for any
version of this new Mustang. As for availability, Ford did not confirm
but we expect it may be available in time for the Mustang’s 50th anniversary April 2014.
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