Ford's new V8 for 2011 Mustang GT
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2011 Ford Mustang GT
(shown in 2010 Daytona 500 pace car livery).
It is quite safe to assume this new Ford
5 litre V8 will power the Falcon in 2011.
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Ford
28th February, 2010
- Ford's Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Canada is utilising a $590 million investment for new
engine and component production aimed at boosting fuel efficiency.
- With this investment, Essex Engine Plant is currently ramping up to build the all-new 5.0 litre
V8 engine for the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. This modern four-valve V8 will deliver 412 horsepower and
fuel economy expected to be the best in the segment.
- The transformation at the Essex Engine Plant includes a new flexible manufacturing system that
allows Ford to quickly adapt to changing market conditions.
- The investment also supports the expansion of Ford's North American Centre for Advanced
Powertrain Research and Innovation which is located at Essex Engine.
After being idled in 2007, the Ford Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario. Canada, is ramping up
again to build one of the most exciting engines in Ford's line-up, thanks to a $590 million
investment.
With its new flexible manufacturing system, Essex Engine will soon be at full production of the
all-new 5.0 litre V8 engine for the 2011 Ford Mustang GT which is expected to deliver segment-leading
fuel economy and 412 horsepower.
"That's what today's customers demand – top performance, a fun-to-drive experience and great
fuel economy, and this new V8 for the 2011 Mustang delivers," said Jim Tetreault, vice president,
North American Manufacturing, Ford Motor Company. "Ford is introducing an unprecedented number of
new or upgraded powertrains this year as part of our 2011 vehicle launches."
Including the new V8 engine built at Essex Engine, Ford has already started producing six of the
nine new engines and transmissions planned for the 2011 model year. These powertrains are being
supported by a significant investment in powertrain engineering and facility upgrades across North
America.
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The investment in Essex Engine will pay off for years to come considering that each auto manufacturing
job makes seven additional jobs in the broader Canadian economy. For example, Ontario suppliers are
manufacturing a variety of parts for the new V8 engine – everything from automatic flywheels and oil filter
adapters to thermostat housings.
The Essex Engine investment is also supporting the expansion of Ford's North American Centre for
Advanced Powertrain Research and Innovation located at the plant. The research centre will become a hub for
powertrain research that will also involve Canadian universities and Canadian automotive parts suppliers.
The centre will include 16 advanced dynamometer research and test cells capable of evaluating the
emissions and performance of alternative fuel powertrains, including those powered by petrol, diesel,
biodiesel, ethanol blends, hybrid powertrains and hydrogen.
2011 Mustang GT Overview
- The new Mustang GT continues Ford’s powertrain offensive with an all-new 5.0 litre V8, which uses
advanced technology to deliver 412 horsepower
- For 2011, Mustang GT adds specially tuned Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), 11.5 inch front and
11.8 inch rear vented disc brakes, and an enhanced suspension featuring an improved rear lower control arm
and stiffened rear stabiliser bushings
- For enthusiasts, a Brembo brake package, with larger rotors and callipers from the Ford Shelby GT500®,
unique 19 inch wheels and summer performance tyres, is offered; new badges herald return of the 5.0 litre
engine
The 5.0 is back! The 2011 Ford Mustang GT arrives with an all-new advanced 5.0 litre V8 engine,
developed by a passionate cadre of enthusiastic engineers who rallied around the common goal of delivering
more than 400 horsepower.
The modern 5.0 litre four-valve Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) V8 engine in the new
Mustang GT will deliver 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. At the same time, fuel economy is
projected to be better than the previous model and unsurpassed in the segment.
“This all-new 5.0 litre engine is the next chapter in the development of the world-class Mustang
powertrain portfolio,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “It’s
a thoroughly modern engine for the times, delivering the performance and fun-to-drive factor that
enthusiasts want, while improving fuel economy.”
Coyote in the lobby
Many of the engineers on the development team have worked in the Engine and Electrical Engineering
Building on the Dearborn, Michigan (USA), product development centre campus. For years they walked past the
original 5.0 litre V8 Coyote Indy racing engine on display in the lobby, continually inspired by its mix of
heritage, high technology and horsepower.
The powertrain development community had long wanted to develop a new 5.0 litre powertrain, with
strategic discussions beginning in 2000. By 2007, the Mustang competitive landscape was beginning to change,
a sign that the time was right for advancing the Mustang GT powertrain to world-class levels.
The team began 5.0 litre engine development with the objective of delivering 400-plus horsepower, on a
timetable accelerated by 12 months without compromises in reliability, durability, fuel economy, or noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH) control.
“Nearly all of the team members have worked on other high-profile powertrain programmes,” said V8
Engine Programmes Manager Mike Harrison. “They all had a clear vision of the work required on their
particular component or sub-system. Their passion for engines, racing and delivering every last ounce of
performance throughout the engine speed range really demonstrated that they put their heads and their hearts
into this powertrain.”
Development test engines and benchmarks included 5.0 litre blocks, employing different bore and stroke
measurements, GT500 four-valve-per-cylinder heads and cams, various intake manifold runner configurations,
differing compression ratios and a deep-sump oil pan. The team also evaluated Ford Racing’s 5.0 litre
“Cammer” V8 crate engine for transferable best practices.
Extensive computer-aided engineering (CAE) modeling, development engine experimentation and evaluation in
combination with intricate machine work brought this promising, all-new configuration to jaw-dropping life
in an accelerated time frame.
The result of this development is an “and” solution, not an “or.” The 2011 Mustang drivers will enjoy the
benefits of a powerful engine as well as responsible fuel economy.
Ti-VCT
A critical element in the 5.0 litre V8’s ability to deliver 412 horsepower, with improved drivability,
tractability and fuel economy over the 2010 Mustang GT powertrain, is enhanced Ti-VCT.
For a high-performance application, the team specified cam-torque-actuated variable camshaft timing.
Using existing cam torque energy, with assistance from pressurized oil, meant that minimal upgrades to the
oil pump were required, resulting in less parasitic drag. Increased volumetric and thermal efficiency gives
faster Ti-VCT response at all engine speeds.
During the development phase, camshaft lift profile and port optimisation started with higher-lift Ford
Racing aftermarket units, modified for compatibility with various four-valve-per-cylinder heads. Extensive
CAE and dynamometer testing was performed to fine-tune camshaft events and port flow for performance and
fuel efficiency in conjunction with the variable camshaft timing.
The resulting all-new aluminium four-valve-per-cylinder heads feature a compact roller finger follower
valvetrain layout leaving more room for high-flow ports for free-breathing performance. Head structure was
designed to support higher cylinder head pressures and cross-flow cooling for sustained high-rpm use. Head
bolt size was increased from 11 to 12 millimetres to contain the higher combustion pressures.
The aluminium block was developed for optimised windage and oil drainback under lateral conditions and
high rpm, such as a track-day outing for an enthusiastic owner and driver. Increased main bearing bulkhead
widths and nodular iron cross-bolted main bearing caps with upsized bolts were also employed to accommodate
the significant performance increase.
An additional element is the increased capacity and baffling of the deep-sump stamped steel oil pan to
enable sustained high-rpm use and offer the convenience of 10,000-mile oil change intervals. Piston-cooling
jets also were incorporated for performance-minded customers and for faster oil warm-up on cold start.
Specially designed tubular exhaust headers were developed to maximise exhaust pulse separation and
improve flow. A team analyst actually fabricated the tubular headers in his home workshop, bringing the CAE
design to life.
Performance and fuel economy
The 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque delivered by the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 litre V8 represent
significant increases versus the 2010 model year output levels.
The 2011 Mustang GT fuel economy is enabled by the Ti-VCT, the six-speed transmissions in automatic or
manual variations, EPAS and an additional bootlid seal to enhance aerodynamics.
Fuel economy also is aided by engineering a light weight powertrain. The engine, as shipped, weighs just
430 pounds. This represents a weight savings of more than 20 per cent versus the previous 5.0 litre
offering. Lower mass can be attributed to the aluminium block and heads, the light weight composite intake
manifold, composite cam covers and hollow camshafts.
Improved driving dynamics
EPAS has made a dramatic contribution to Mustang GT driving dynamics, delivering quicker on-centre
steering response, increased effort at highway speeds and reduced effort required in low-speed parking
manoeuvres. EPAS allows specific tuning for the Mustang GT application.
The 2011 Mustang GT features an enhanced rear lower control arm to add stiffness, improve powertrain NVH
control and sharpen handling. A stiffened rear stabiliser bar for better on-centre steering is also included.
Stabiliser bar diameters, spring rates and dampers all have been tuned for improved dynamics.
A Brembo brake package upgrade will be available for serious enthusiasts. This package includes 14 inch
vented front discs from the GT500 Mustang, unique 19 inch alloy wheels and summer performance tyres.
Added convenience content
For 2011, Ford Mustang GT offers drivers several new convenience technologies, including:
- Standard message center
- Integrated blind spot mirrors
- MyKey™ programmable vehicle key
New look
From the 5.0 badges to the new engine cover, Mustang GT honours and continues the proud heritage of its
predecessors. The speedometer increases to 160 mph and the tachometer redline advances from 6,500 to 7,000
rpm.
Three vibrant new colours will be added for 2011 including Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red and Ingot
Silver.
Improved NVH control and convertible rigidity
For 2011, Mustang GT benefits from across-the-board NVH improvements. These include additional
sound-deadening material on either side of the instrument panel, additional sound absorbtion behind interior
trim panels and a real wheel arch liner to reduce noise on gravel or wet surfaces.
Mustang GT convertible models feature enhanced structural rigidity, with lateral stiffness improved by 12
per cent versus the 2010 model. A tower-to-tower front strut brace is now standard, and the V-brace has been
stiffened by adding gussets. The secondary crossmember also has been stiffened while a front Z-brace has
been added, connecting primary and secondary crossmembers. A-pillar stiffening foam also has been added to
increase rigidity.
“This powertrain honours Mustang’s heritage by raising the bar on performance while increasing fuel
economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Powertrain Development. “For enthusiasts, such as the
passionate members of the 5.0 litre V8 team, it’s like having your cake and eating it, too.”
And what about Australia?
The Next Car team fully expects Ford's new 5 litre V8 will power local Falcon V8 models sooner,
rather than later. Stay tuned for details.
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