Base model Mustangs have never been particularly powerful or impressive cars. The “secretary special” models were all show and no go, and they didn’t even get very good gas mileage to boot. But the 2011 Mustang changed all of that with a 305 horsepower V6 that gets up to 31 mpg on the highway. It even sounds fairly muscular compared to the old boat anchor V6 engines of the past.
Yet the V6 Mustang could soon be a thing of the past. As we reported last week, there has been some rather consistent rumors that the 2015 Mustang will be getting a 2.3 liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that it may share with the Focus RS. But then where will that leave the 3.7 lier V6?
Keeping in mind that this is purely speculation, the 3.7 liter V6 engine may, or may not, be on tap for the 2015+ Mustang. Ford could keep the V6 engine, and then simply offer the 2.3 EcoBoost as a fuel-sipping alternative that doesn’t sacrifice power. That way those who want the bigger displacement V6 could have it, while those wanting higher fuel economy could shell out a few more bucks for the EcoBoost.
So far, Ford’s strategy has been to give customers options when it comes to EcoBoost. The Ford F-150 is the best example, offering both the 5.0 V8 and 3.5 liter EcoBoost engines. Power and towing capabilities are similar, though the EcoBoost engine has a higher MPG. That seems to us the most likely scenario, though it is far too early in the game to say exactly what Ford might do. Would you miss the 3.7 liter V6, or would you rather have a small-displacement EcoBoost with similar output?