Sunday, May 20, 2012

Spy Shots: Ford Mustang GT EcoBoost spotted?

Forced induction may be making its way back into the Ford Mustang bloodstream very soon. A gaggle of fresh spy shots have cropped up on the interwebs showing a FoMoCo mule with a few interesting attributes, including a new fascia that may or may not be scooting air to an intercooler, and a hefty 9,000 rpm has been spotted on the tachometer. Even more telling is the huge PREMIUM ONLY sticker slapped across the dash. Now, the last time we checked, the meaty 5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 Mustang GT didn’t spin to those lofty heights, and while it makes maximum power on premium fuel, it can just as happily chug along on regular 87 octane swill.

Report: Ecoboost engine for all Ford models!

Once again, reports are making the rounds that each model in Ford’s stable will soon be available with an Ecoboost engine option. While this isn’t the first time we’ve heard such murmurings, The Detroit News reports that Jim Farley, the Ford global head of sales, says that his company’s product plans include direct-injection and turbocharging at the core of each vehicle’s future powertrain lineup. Don’t think that those high-tech, smaller-displacement engines will command a price tag that’s any easier to swallow, though.

Roush Yates to supply Ford EcoBoost V6 for 2011 ALMS competition

Roush Yates Engines has announced that it will be offering up a race-prepared version of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 for American Le Mans Series prototype competition in 2011. Roush Yates is developing the engines for use under the new 2011 LMP2 rules that require production-based engines. This will be the first competition application for Ford’s twin-turbocharged and direct injected V6 that debuted in 2009.

The first chassis constructor to announce support for the Ford V6 is Lola, with installation kits available for both its open-top and closed coupe 2011 LMP2 cars. According to Roush Yates spokesperson Kenna Primm, the race engine will be reduced down to the 3.2-liter maximum allowed under ALMS rules compared to the 2.8-liter displacement of the twin-turbo V6 announced by Honda at Le Mans in June. Output will likely be somewhere around 400 horsepower.

In addition to the EcoBoost V6, Roush Yates is also evaluating a race version of the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8 for ALMS competition.

[Source: AutoBlog.com]