In case you’ve been under a rock since 1996, when the 5.0-liter V-8 dropped from the Ford Mustang power plant offerings in favor of the 4.6-liter modular power plant, there’s a certain note of news humming about. That’s right–the 5.0 Mustang is back! Hey, better late than never, right? Well, Ford’s made sure the entrance is sure to be a memorable one with the recent update to the S197 platform’s looks, feel, and refinement. Add to the 5.0 liters of sweet sounding harmony over 400hp & 390tq, a new variable camshaft timing system, and balanced & pressurized oil systems for a smoother torque curve, and you’ve got yourself a Mustang of the future, today.
[nggallery id=76]Aside from the obvious and flamboyant fender badges, multitude of new tech, and course, the new 5.0 power plant underhood, one particular aspect of the 2011 5.0 Mustang caught our discerning eye: the engine bay is clean. If you’ve ever swam in the nest of a stock Fox body engine bay or tried to crawl into an SN-95 bay, you’ll know Ford was aptly punishing you for trying to fix & repair or modify their prized engineering creation. On the other hand, the 2011 Mustang 5.0-liter engine bay is dramatically more spartan than in years prior. Fewer wire looms with electrical tape & braiding is just but one eye-pleasing notion. The strut towers are virgin and exposed, just waiting for additional lateral bracing. An intake, loaded with dazzling runners, just panting and begging, “Rev me!”.
Rev you shall.
The new 5.0 Mustang is sure to please; we’ve seen it firsthand, and the exhaust note is markedly different to the trained ear. Trust us. The redline boils elegantly to a smooth 7,000 rpm, just teasing the Euro fan boys in the crowd. Just about the only way we think Ford might have been a step beyond the realm of sleek & sexy and on to the boundary of sharp & seductive, would have been to add forced induction to the equation. Hey, we can dream, right? After all, we never thought we’d see 5.0 badges out there on new Mustang again, right?
PRESS RELEASE
2011 MUSTANG GT POWERTRAIN USES Ti-VCT TO MAKE
400-PLUS HP, DELIVER UNSURPASSED FUEL ECONOMY
• Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) technology is a key element in helping the new 5.0-liter V-8 Mustang GT deliver class-leading performance and fuel efficiency
• Variable camshaft timing in the Mustang GT 5.0-liter uses camshaft torque energy actuation, with assistance from pressurized oil, resulting in a broad torque curve
• Camshaft torque will advance or retard camshaft timing based on internal routing, via one-way valves, resulting in more immediate response across a wide range of engine speeds
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 28, 2009 – Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) will allow drivers of the 2011 Mustang GT to balance high performance and fuel economy.
“Ti-VCT is a win-win-win technology,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, global powertrain development. “It helps our new range of engines to deliver high performance with unsurpassed projected highway fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and reduced emissions.”
Ti-VCT provides extremely precise variable – yet independent – control of timing for intake and exhaust valves. Drivers of the 2011 Mustang GT will notice abundant torque and class-leading fuel economy. An additional benefit of Ti-VCT is a reduction of emissions, especially in situations when the throttle is partially open.
Independent adjustment of intake and exhaust valve timing allows maximum fuel economy at part-throttle, while delivering optimized power in full-throttle situations. An added benefit is improved drivability and responsiveness across the torque curve.
How Ti-VCT works
The new 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2011 Mustang GT is a double-overhead-camshaft configuration that employs two camshafts per cylinder bank – one camshaft to operate the intake valves and one camshaft to operate the exhaust valves. Ti-VCT rotates the camshafts to advance or retard the cam timing, based on several measures including throttle opening.
An element unique to the Mustang GT 5.0-liter V-8 application is that Ti-VCT is actuated by camshaft torque, with assistance from pressurized oil. Using camshaft torque energy provides faster throttle response and maximizes use of existing energy, to aid fuel economy. Camshaft torque energy Ti-VCT actuation is a Ford innovation, introduced first on the 3.0-liter V-6.
Working like a ratchet, the one-way valves allow precise timing of camshaft events, continually optimizing timing to provide maximum thrust or fuel economy, based on driver input.
“Ti-VCT technology will continue to proliferate across the Ford powertrain portfolio,” said Samardzich. “By 2013, you can expect to see this advancement available on 90 percent of our nameplates.”
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
I have been waiting for this one to complement my origional owner 1970 BOSS 302, anyone want to buy my 41,000 mile 1994 Lincoln Mark VIII?
man i with ya i love the 302 in so giddy about it lol
I will have to come out of retirement.
Awesome!!!! When is the 5.8L (351) coming out? That is the one I want!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just another mustang that will never replace the pushrod v-8, The cars are beautiful without a doubt, probably the the best looking stangs ever but I was getting 27mpg with my 1985 gt 4bl carbed convertible 5spd. Thats the best gas mileage mustangs ever got. I have one right now i’m coverting to carburetor because I can work on it without paying an arm and a leg, Todays cars are way over priced and for the gullible! The average buyer will pay dearly to own one. 2008 track champion obdragway 1989 convertible
Replying to Rickie Dunn–
Rickie, In a sense you’re right. I was never a Ford fan ( at least of the cars – I always thought their trucks were solid ) but became a Mustang owner in 2007 – the retro body style sold me. I can say the least 3 yrs the car has been very reliable with no issues. I figure as a fan of any car in your era each one of us will play favorites, but you know just like everything advances into something newer the older stuff goes away.. I think Ford is making some solid choices overall.. in 2011 They will have Mustangs available with basically the same HP and torque and Chevrolet in the Camaro’s, except they’ll be 380 pounds lighter ( then Camaro ). And the Mustang GT 500 gets a boost to 550HP and the engine will be 100 lbs lighter, with better gas mileage ( 24 highway )
I’ve always been a ford man Iv’e owned 32 mustangs with my current addition 87 vert. Racing season starts this saturday I will be in a 69 NOVA. The earth will revolve backwards i know! I would love to try a championship run in IHRA OR NHRA stock eliminator with a 2011 mustang but I would need the backing of Bill Gates!
I love it but ford really needs 2 make a dual over head cammed 429 or somethin but for now this is great and bet its alot stouter than tha 4.6
Now it just needs an independent rear suspension, and it will definitely put the camaro in its place!!
no thanks, on the IRS.
IRS is just marketing to magazine racers
Watch th Camaro/Challenger sales bottom out, especially if Ford takes this walk down "memory lane" one step further by building an LX 5.0 version for about 28,000 dollars. There has been talk but nothing official from Ford yet. Either way, if your into Ford Racing it han't been this good since 1993.