One of the more interesting tid bids to come out of the Detroit Auto Show were the statements made by a Ford exec regarding the future of EcoBoost engines in the Mustang lineup. The current speculation is that the engine will be a 2.0L mill making about 270hp. That would leave space for the 300 hp V6 and keep the V8 as the most powerful factory mill available in the car. This seems like a sensible move for Ford. Not that the SVO fans are going to flock to buy them, but the thing should knock down killer mileage and have enough zip to keep the secreatary set happy with their purchase in stock form and it will provide guys who want to mess with the turbo engine a great platform to hot rod off of.
Having seen what people are capable of with the GM Ecotech series of small engines, it seems like there could be some blindingly fast four popper Mustangs out there soon. Hot Rodders have really figured out the 2.3L Ford engines that were offered back in the SVO days and some of those cars, like the Huber’s Mustang are completely off the charts nuts.
On the more practical side, this offering should help to bump the Cafe average of the company as they are introducing a model that will surely have a higher fuel economy rating than the other Mustangs being sold.
The Ford exec used the specific phrase, “in the very near future” to describe when an Ecoboost Mustang could hit showrooms.
What do you think. Will a turbo four ‘Stang be cool or lame?
I vote for cool, it’ll keep the Mustang alive due to CAFE, it’ll put the EcoBoost I4 on into a RWD platform for swap potential, it’s another SIDI platform to help out the aftermarket get the hang of, and it will probably be a sales hit since it’ll cost less, be easier for parents to say ‘yes’ for thier kids.
That’s good news…..now if they will just produce a book that outlines all the mods needed/parts that require upgrading like GM has done for the Ecotech engines, maybe people will consider using a Ford in their Ford.
And if priced within reason, I think Ford could sell a BUNCH of the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost TT/2.0L I4 Ecoboost engines if they were offered as a crate engine like the Coyote 5.0L is!
Cool.
Cool enough. The fours and sixes keep the V8’s available.
Cool in my opinion. Assuming it still has the performance options from the gt like the brembo brakes or the v6 track pack it would make a fun yet fairly fuel efficient car. As long as they keep it as light as possible to offset the lower torque of a four banger. It would probably handle better than the others as the weight distribution would be better as well. That and Ford needs to make their CAFE average higher so it makes sense from a business perspective as well. I say go for it.
Great idea, Ford! Bring it on, and while you’re at it, I agree with the crate engine idea. Making a version available with the track pack is a must.
It shows how far we’ve come that there’s not one negative comment about a 4 cylinder mustang option.
I can’t wait for this! I used to have a 2.3 l4 on a 1993 hatchback and I miss that car like a limb.