The Best Pony: Mustang Overview
A quick journey through the engines and trim levels of the Ford Mustang.
Today, I will be listing the trim levels and the showcasing engines of the Ford Mustang and giving out some points to the best competitors.
First of all, let's just go over the trim levels of this car. Ford offers the EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, Mach 1, Mach 1 Premium, and GT500 trims. The Camaro lineup has more options so I will give the Camaro 1 point. Additionally, I will give the Mustang 1 point for uncomplicated trim levels. I believe that it is easier to discern between the trim levels offered in the Mustang versus the ones offered in the Camaro. Just like before, at this point, it is only important that you have knowledge of these trims so you can better understand which engine options each trim level has.
Now, on to the powerplants offered in the Mustang.
First up, the 2.3L EcoBoost engine, known as the fastest inline 4 in America. This engine is turbocharged and produces 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. This means it produces 35 more horsepower and 55 more lb-ft of torque than the Chevy 2.0L. The inline 4 is also available with a larger turbocharger that allows it to produce 330 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Because the Mustang engine is more powerful, has more displacement, and has more torque than the Camaro engine, I will award the Mustang 3 points.
Ford 2.3L EcoBoost Engine - Photo Credit: at.ford.com
The second engine on the list is the iconic Coyote 5.0L V8 engine that powers the Mustang GT and the new Mustang Mach 1. In the GT model, it produces 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft torque. In the Mach 1, it produces an extra 20 horsepower bringing the total up to 480. The only comparable engine in the Camaro lineup is the 3.6L V6 which produces 336 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang will get 3 points for displacement, power, and torque.
Ford 5.0L Coyote Engine - Photo Credit: hotrod.com
Next up, the high-flyer of the Mustang engines, the 5.2L Supercharged Predator V8. This engine is the heart of the GT500, the most powerful Mustang currently offered by Ford. Producing 760 horsepower, this engine has 110 more horsepower than the 6.2L Supercharged V8 offered in the Camaro. At 625 lb-ft torque, the Mustang engine has 25 less than the most powerful Camaro engine. Therefore, the Mustang will receive a point for horsepower, and the Camaro will receive 2 points for displacement and torque.
Ford Predator V8 - Photo Credit: fordauthority.com
Today we have quickly gone through the engines and trim levels of the Ford Mustang. The Camaro and the Mustang both have great engine options available, and these options may pull buyers away from one brand to another. Since the Camaro lineup has more engine options, I will give it one point for more choices.
The Total So Far
The overall point total for the engine segment of The Best Pony is 8 points for the Mustang and 4 points for the Camaro. This is just the total for the engine comparison. I will delve deeper into the actual cars beginning Thursday with the EcoBoost and the 1LS. Thank you for joining me on my journey!
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Comments (6)
A mustang without a V8 isn't a mustang.
Why compare the Coyote to the 3.6 V6 instead of the 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque? I am a Mustang GT owner with the California trim package, but fair is fair....
As I said in the article, it was the only comparable engine that is offered in the Camaro lineup. There simply is no other engine to compare with the Coyote. Additionally, I compared the 6.2-liter V8 to the Predator V8. The Mustang lineup...
Read moreThere is a naturally aspirated V8 that is very comparable to the Coyote. As I said the 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque is comparable to the Coyote, not a V6. If the Mustang does not have a comparable V6 to the...
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