DEARBORN — The heart of any muscle car is its engine. Have a heart-to-heart talk with any Ford Mustang fan, and chances are you will hear a name and a number.
Boss 302, 428 Cobra Jet, Boss 429, 351 Cleveland, 351 Windsor — the list is long.
“Few vehicles have been as closely identified with their engines over the years as the Mustang,” said Terry Wagner, manager, Ford Modular V-8/V-10 Engines.
For 2005, a new powerplant promises to keep hearts racing among Mustang owners.
“Mustang owners have always known, and bragged about, what was under the hood,” said Wagner. “With our new 300-horsepower, three-valve, 4.6-liter MOD V-8, we’re giving them something to brag about again.”
The new 4.6-liter engine has 40 more horsepower than the current V-8, and over 50 percent more power than the 289-cubic-inch V-8 in the classic 1964 Mustang.
The new lightweight, all-aluminum engine produces 315 foot-pounds of torque. It is 75 pounds lighter than a similar cast-iron design, yet it still provides optimum stiffness and strength.
The new head design features three valves per cylinder and variable cam timing. The new V-8 offers more power, improved efficiency, and it’s cleaner burning and uses regular gasoline.
“The 4.6-liter, three-valve is part of Ford’s modular engine family,” said Hau Thai-Tang, chief nameplate engineer, Ford Mustang. “It’s similar to what we did on the new F-Series pickup truck. This engine provides a lot of low-end grunt and delivers a real muscle car driving performance.”
“The new three-valve engine is just plain clever,” said Wagner. “It enables optimization of horsepower, torque, fuel economy and sound quality, and guarantees the engine always hits the sweet spot. We are all very proud of the new Mustang V-8, and we think enthusiasts are going to be thrilled.”
Rest assured, V-6 customers aren’t being left in the dust. Team Mustang has something new for them, too.
A new 4.0-liter, single overhead cam engine produces 202 horsepower and 235 foot-pounds of torque, offering real Mustang performance at a more economical price. This engine is more powerful than the current Mustang V-6 with better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and a more compact size.
A five-speed automatic transmission will be available for the first time in Mustang for the 2005 model year. For those who prefer to shift for themselves, there is a five-speed manual gearbox.
Mustang’s sophisticated electronics system continuously monitors and adjusts powertrain performance. There is electronic throttle control to deliver a consistent response in changing operating conditions.
But that’s not all. The 2005 Ford Mustang has new looks, a new chassis and new powertrains.
Mustang turns 40 this year as the brand continues to build on its proud heritage.
“When you drive Mustang it’s all about emotion. It’s about loving cars and loving the car business,” said Phil Martens, group vice president, North American Product Creation. “I don’t think anybody inside this company can imagine Ford Motor Company without the Mustang. As long as we keep up that intensity, this car will keep its integrity and the customers will keep us king of the hill.”