Let’s get this disclaimer out of the way: Without knowing the 2015 Ford Mustang’s full technical specs, pegging the car’s acceleration is nothing more than an educated guess. There are many variables yet unaccounted for, including its all-new architecture, additional standard features, and the new turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine option. But Ford has finally released the outputs for each of the Mustang’s three available engines—and the curb weights of the cars so equipped—and we just couldn’t help ourselves. So let the educated guessing begin.
Despite initial rumors to the contrary, the Mustang hasn’t gained much weight. The V-6 coupe, for example, is about as heavy as it was before, and the V-8–powered, stick-shifted GT model is up by just 87 pounds, according to Ford. The EcoBoost model doesn’t have a direct predecessor, but compared to the last-gen V-6 model, it carries just 36 additional pounds. Only the GT’s 5.0-liter V-8 sees an increase in power, while the V-6 sheds five ponies and the 2.3-liter debuts with slightly more power and a lot more torque than the V-6. Data in hand, we crunched all the numbers, and this is how we think the 2015 Mustang’s performance will stack up:
| ’14 Mustang coupe | ’15 Mustang coupe | |||
| Engine: | DOHC 24-valve 3.7-liter V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection | DOHC 24-valve 3.7-liter V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection | ||
| Power: | 305 hp @ 6500 rpm | 300 hp @ 6500 rpm | ||
| Torque: | 280 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | ||
| Curb Weight: | 3520 lb | 3550 lb (C/D est) | ||
| 0-60 mph: | 5.4 sec | 5.4 sec (C/D est) | ||
| 0-100 mph: | 13.0 sec | 13.0 sec (C/D est) | ||
| 1/4 mile: | 14.0 sec | 14.0 sec (C/D est) | ||
| Engine: | N/A | turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.3-liter inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection | ||
| Power: | 310 hp @ 5500 rpm | |||
| Torque: | 320 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | |||
| Curb Weight: | 3550 lb (C/D est) | |||
| 0-60 mph: | 5.3 sec (C/D est) | |||
| 0-100 mph: | 12.9 sec (C/D est) | |||
| 1/4 mile: | 13.8 sec (C/D est) | |||
| Engine: | DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection | DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection | ||
| Power: | 420 hp @ 6500 rpm | 435 hp @ 6500 rpm | ||
| Torque: | 390 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm | 400 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm | ||
| Curb Weight: | 3650 lb | 3750 lb (C/D est) | ||
| 0-60 mph: | 4.5 sec | 4.3 sec (C/D est) | ||
| 0-100 mph: | 10.6 sec | 9.7 sec (C/D est) | ||
| 1/4 mile: | 13.0 sec | 12.8 sec (C/D est) | ||
To put a finer point on things, we believe that the EcoBoost Mustang will make good use of its low-end turbocharged power to better get out of the gate than the V-6–powered base model, and it should maintain that gap through the quarter-mile. The new GT is a little different story. Ford used the epic Boss 302 as the GT’s performance bogey, and that car hooked up basically as ideally as possible. Even though the Boss was lighter and boasted 444 ponies to the new GT’s 435, we’re expecting the GT to hurtle itself through space with similar alacrity. Now all that’s left for us to do is to strap our test gear to the new Mustangs and gather real numbers—stay tuned, because those testing sessions are fast approaching.
- 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost First Ride! We Call Shotgun in Ford’s New Turbo Stang
- 2015 Ford Mustang: In-Depth With the Team That Made It Happen
- Ford Mustang Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Photos, Reviews, and More
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