2015 Mustang SVO speculation

So it's been more or less confirmed (via Road & Track, TTAC, etc.) we'll see an EcoBoost 2.3 Turbo in the new 2015 Mustang.

http://jalopnik.com/america-may-be-getting-the-four-cylinder-turbo-2015-for-451693249

It sounds like the mill will likely be shared also as the hot powerplant in the Focus RS (though likely in slightly different tune).

Regardless, considering the "base" Mustang V6 is 305 horsepower, and Ford has always marketed the EcoBoost as an upgrade, it's reasonable speculation to guess this 4-banger will be well north of 300HP (R&T is speculating 350HP).

This is shaping up to be a pretty interesting car. Losing some weight, adding IRS, and a ~320+HP option 4-banger up front could be a riot.

Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Mustang SVO/SVT/ST?...Ford is getting VERY interesting!

Why would they not just use the EcoBoost 6?

In reply to Flight Service:

Most likely packaging......or they've been watching tuners exceeding the v8 power levels for awhile now.

As the previous owner of an SVO, I look forward to this...

In reply to yamaha:

Poor excuse

In reply to Flight Service:

Ask adrian, he might know. Either way, the 2.3L T is iconic in a way.

It's Ford, it will end up a flop.

Yeah, because the camaro and challenger were real winners

Anyone have any idea about the weight savings? Are we thinking that it will make it under 3300?

singleslammer wrote: Yeah, because the camaro and challenger were real winners

I'm talking that Ford will kill it themselves. Reason you didn't see any SVO's past '86. They crept the price up to the point you could get a big burly V8 for LESS money. History will repeat itself.

No diesel, no want. Its too ugly. I wont buy one new but I want to pick one up for 2034 Challenge money.

Sorry... Couldn't resist.

Ranger50 wrote: I'm talking that Ford will kill it themselves. Reason you didn't see any SVO's past '86. They crept the price up to the point you could get a big burly V8 for LESS money. History will repeat itself.

Not so sure. Similar predictions were made of failure on the ecoboost f150's and what's the take rate, like 40%?

Turbo applications have come a long ways since the original SVO, along with their ability to market and sell them.

In reply to xflowgolf:

I would love for Ford to prove me wrong, but....

Ecoboost F150's...of the owners I know of and talked to, for them to do it again, they wouldn't. Lots of hype for nothing in return on that hype.

This might be a dumb question, but why the assumption of something special about a turbo I4 in the scheme of things?

Back with the original SVO, the turbo I4 was right along side the GT in terms of power, with light weight and lot of other cool chassis things.

Whereas even a turbo V6 won't be close to the V8 offerings.

To me, this is more like the 1.0l turbo in the Fiesta relative to it's own line.

singleslammer wrote: Anyone have any idea about the weight savings? Are we thinking that it will make it under 3300?

They could hit that if they wanted to - my '05 V8 with all the options (leather, power everything) scales at 3400# with 1/4 tank of gas and the spare tire out.

The update model is a little heavier, but I think it's mostly all the luxury crap. The chassis's pretty close.

xflowgolf wrote: Regardless, considering the "base" Mustang V6 is 305 horsepower, and Ford has always marketed the EcoBoost as an upgrade, it's reasonable speculation to guess this 4-banger will be well north of 300HP (R&T is speculating 350HP).

Or the base engine may be a naturally aspirated four, for a return of the Pinto-powered base model.

yamaha wrote: In reply to Flight Service: Ask adrian, he might know. Either way, the 2.3L T is iconic in a way.

Ask away, Adrian ain't telling. I may have access to all cycle plans but as I'm fond of my paycheck, benefits and oh yes, the job aint bad, you could send me to Guantanamo for a vacation and I'm still staying mum. You could try torturing me with horney supermodels if you like but I don't promise results.

I'm sure the same applies for Eric.

Flight Service wrote: Why would they not just use the EcoBoost 6?

Fuel economy. If they can get to or near 300hp and get ~35mpg on the freeway, they'll have a winner, especially if it's lighter than the current gen. IMO, this is a CAFE-driven move.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

I am wearing the US National Waterboarding Team tshirt today.......

I am teasing of course, I know how the secrecy portion goes. It took me 3 years to get details from a friend in GM about the regal GS.....after it came out.

Flight Service wrote: Why would they not just use the EcoBoost 6?

My guess would be there's not a big enough differentiation. V6 + turbo is likely similar weight as a V8, same power, not much better fuel consumption in the application, etc.

A 4-cyl + turbo is likely significant enough difference in weight to be worth it, capable of recordably better hwy mpg., and likely a few other packaging and component weight reduction benefits.

Just my 2 pennies. A V6T (or TT) is basically = to V8, where-as a 4cyl Turbo is it's own ball game and may compete against additional cars globally.

It would be really hard to use the Ecoboost V6 without blatantly dumbing it down for the sake of the v8, or making it a higher trim than the v8.

I like the idea of a turbo 4 in the mustang. It doesnt even need 350hp in my opinion. I would rather have the outside of the car shrink a little bit and weigh 3300, than have 350hp in the current car. Just my .02. I admit i am not a new-mustang shopper by any stretch of the imagination.

Vigo wrote: It would be really hard to use the Ecoboost V6 without blatantly dumbing it down for the sake of the v8, or making it a higher trim than the v8. I like the idea of a turbo 4 in the mustang. It doesnt even need 350hp in my opinion. I would rather have the outside of the car shrink a little bit and weigh 3300, than have 350hp in the current car. Just my .02. I admit i am not a new-mustang shopper by any stretch of the imagination.

You are correct, it doesn't need 350hp. The 662HP in the Shelby is just about right.

yamaha wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: I am wearing the US National Waterboarding Team tshirt today....... I am teasing of course, I know how the secrecy portion goes. It took me 3 years to get details from a friend in GM about the regal GS.....after it came out.

Damn, and there I was hoping to be err tortured by those supermodels

I got be honest. I kinda wish they were sticking with the live axle. I used to make fun of it but really there isn't much wrong with a live axle and it made the Mustang unique.