Aussie Mustang specs revealed

Aussie Mustang buyers will be able to choose from coupe and convertible, turbo four or V8 powertrains and auto or manual transmission when the 2015 Mustang comes Down Under.

Although it’s not clear what the actual model walk or pricing will be, nor exactly what combinations Ford Australia will offer from launch in 2015, it looks likely Mustang will span a considerable price range.

Ford released details of the sixth-generation Mustang at simultaneous launches at six locations on four continents just minutes ago. At the local Sydney reveal, Ford Australia confirmed the building blocks of its local Mustang range and key dimensions and specifications of the new car.

Built on a traditional steel body-in-white, the Mustang features independent front and, for the first time, rear suspension. Panels are in the main steel, although aluminium is used for the bonnet and front guards.

At 4784mm long overall, the coupe and convertible are a considerable 186mm shorter than the current Falcon. Compared to the latest 4 Series BMW Coupe, the new pony car is 146mm longer.

Mustang rides on a 2720mm wheelbase (versus 2838mm for the Falcon, 2810mm for the BMW). At 1381mm, the Mustang is just 4mm higher than the 4 Series but more than 70mm lower than its distant, and terminal, cousin.

The Mustang convertible is a touch higher than its coupe counterpart at 1394mm.

As has been the trend with most coupes, the Mustang is strictly a four-seater.

We detailed power outputs of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol four and atmo DOHC petrol 5.0-litre V8 that will power Australia-delivery Mustangs earlier today.

Now we can also reveal the exact engine output specs -- that the four will feature a twin-scroll turbocharger for the first time in a Ford EcoBoost powerplant, and that the V8 will require a diet of 98 RON premium unleaded.

The 2.3 GTDI EcoBoost four develops more than 227kW at 5500rpm and more than 407Nm across a 2000rpm band from 2500rpm, according to Ford’s Mustang spiel. The V8 is a 313kW-plus engine – although that peak power is produced at a heady 6500rpm. Max torque for the 5.0-litre engine is 529Nm at 4250rpm.

Ford Australia cautions all engine stats are for US-spec powertrains.

A six-speed Getrag manual with hill-holder and six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts will be available on both engine variants. All models share the same 3.55:1 final drive.

The four-cylinder Mustang rides on 19x9.0-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/40-series rubber. In the step up to the V8-powered GT spec, wider (9.5-inch) rear wheels are specified, necessitating 275/40-section rear rubber. Expect Ford Australia to offer 20-inch options on some models.

The V8 GT also gets upgraded front brakes. While both versions feature 330x25mm vented rear discs with 45mm floating single-piston callipers, the four’s vented 352x32mm/four-piston calliper set-up is substituted with a vented 380x34mm/Brembo six-piston installation.

Both powertrains feature electrical power-assisted steering gear.

Ford is talking up the performance credentials of the EcoBoost engine – which is related to the turbo four pioneered in the Falcon and has since appeared in Jaguar’s XF range.

“This EcoBoost engine delivers the healthy output that Mustang drivers expect regardless of the speed,” said Scott Makowksi, EcoBoost Powertrain Engineering Manager.

“This EcoBoost engine might be small in displacement, but it delivers where a Mustang driver expects it with a broad, flat torque curve and great driveability under any conditions,” he said.

The four-cylinder engine is a long-stroke design (87.55mm x 94mm) and is the first Ford engine to utilise a low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger. Ford says this “provides quicker boost response while enabling lower emissions and improved efficiency”.

Ford says “enhancements to the Mustang EcoBoost engine to withstand the added stresses” include a forged-steel crankshaft and con-rods, oil-cooled pistons and special attention to bearing and valve seat materials.

The 5.0-litre V8 powerplant gets “a host of upgrades that enable it to breathe better”. Ford says it incorporates “lessons learned in developing the special-edition 2013 Mustang Boss 302”.

Detailed changes include bigger valves, revised camshaft design and timing, uprated crankshaft and con-rods and a new cylinder-head casting and design.

The V8 also gets a new intake manifold design that includes “charge motion control valves”, which work at low engine speeds to improved air-fuel mixing for better fuel economy, idle stability and lower emissions.

Save for a noted top speed of 249km/h for the V8 Mustang GT, no performance or fuel consumption figures had been announced at the time of writing.