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In January 2015, the strong sales numbers for the Ford Mustang were comprised entirely of the new 2015 models, and in the Metro Detroit area, I am seeing more and more new Mustangs every day. I have seen plenty of 2015 Mustang GT coupes with the 5.0L fender badge, but it seems like I have seen more new Mustangs that don’t have the 5.0L badge – meaning that they are either EcoBoost or base V6 models.
Unfortunately, the EcoBoost and V6 Mustang are hard to differentiate in passing traffic, so I reached out to Ford Motor Company to see if they had a take rate breakdown for the three available engines. Ford was not able to provide those numbers just yet, so I spoke to a few of my dealership connections and one had very interesting insight – the EcoBoost is moving quicker than the GT, and there is almost no interest in the V6.
One Ford Dealer’s Mustang Sales
Before getting into what I learned in speaking with one Ford dealership employee, I should point out that these are not official, measured figures from the dealership. This is the observation of a dealership employee who happens to also be a big Mustang enthusiast, so she simply provided me with what she has seen at work.
She explained that the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost is the quickest selling trimline at her dealership, usually only sitting on the lot for a few days before being purchased. She said “it’s selling better than the GT is for sure”. She also mentioned that there has been very low interest in the base V6 Mustang, with those models often sitting on the lot for weeks before being purchased. Because of that, very few V6 Mustangs have been delivered, while the EcoBoost and GT models have been flying in and flying out.
Again, this doesn’t mean that the EcoBoost Mustang is outselling the Mustang GT across all Ford dealerships, but the strong sales of the turbocharged 4-cylinder at this dealership proves that the market will happily accept a 4-cylinder Mustang.
2015 Ford Mustang Galleries:
A first look at the 2015 Ford Mustang RTR
Live images from the 2015 Ford Mustang Detroit Debut
A look at the similarities in styling across the 2015 Ford Mustang trimlines
The 2015 Ford Mustang in Triple Yellow
This Shouldn’t Be a Surprise
While some people might be shocked to hear that the EcoBoost engine is outselling the 5.0L V8 at one Ford dealership, we should all keep in mind that the base model Mustang is typically the better selling package. In a normal year, the V6 Mustang outsells the Mustang GT, and that is also true for the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger – the less expensive, more fuel efficient models sell better. That is no surprise.
What is a surprise is what appears to be a rapid shift by non-GT buyers from the V6 to the EcoBoost 4-cylinder. Some speculated that the EcoBoost 4-cylinder wouldn’t sell well because those who want power would go Mustang GT and those who want a lower price tag will pick the V6, leaving the EcoBoost unwanted. I expected those people to be wrong, but I am surprised at how quickly customers have adopted the turbocharged 4-cylinder.
I suspect that when Ford Motor Company does announce the take rate figures for the 2015 Mustang, we will see a close sales race between the 5.0L V8 and the EcoBoost 4-cylinder, while the V6 is far, far behind.
A special thanks to my Ford dealership connection who offered up her observations!
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Comments
What they need to do is offer
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What they need to do is offer a 3.5l Ecoboost. Mustang ST or SVT anyone?
If that's good enough for the F150 and other vehicles, then it should be good enough for the Mustang.
I purchased my 2015 Mustang 2
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I purchased my 2015 Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost 4 Cyl in mid-January and I have been very happy with it. My previous GT required a very expensive repair and decided to ditch it in favor of getting the 2015 model. At first I was not inclined to go the 4cyl route, but now I realize that this EcoBoost engine is a little powerhouse.
The best 2015 is the V6 model
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The best 2015 is the V6 model. The V6 will be the most reliable in the long run. No turbo to burn up and two extra cylinders which means less wear and tear and you can use regular fuel. Get the V6 six speed manual then get Katskin aftermarket seat leather to replace the cloth. This is the way to go. The V8 GT model is 84 lbs heavier than the 14'. The V6 model is the same weight. Same 31 mpg V6 as 2014 but I think Ford just says it gets less because of the push to get people into 4 cylinder engines due to the higher fuel economy standards coming up in later years. I have a 13' GT but if I was going new I would get the V6. Better yet, wait a few years till they work out the bugs. NEVER buy a first year car my grandpa would say!
"no turbo to burn up" A
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In reply to The best 2015 is the V6 model by Dan (not verified)
"no turbo to burn up" A turbo in a modern car is about as likely to burn up as that V6 is to drop a valve.
As far as the turbo wearing
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In reply to The best 2015 is the V6 model by Dan (not verified)
As far as the turbo wearing out goes you shouldn't have to worry about that for 150-200k miles at stock boost levels and to rebuild it is 100 dollars in parts and an hour to two of your time at most.... The idea that four cylinder performance motors are unreliable is terribly outdated.
Not to mention the fact that
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In reply to The best 2015 is the V6 model by Dan (not verified)
Not to mention the fact that the EB and GTs numbers are reported with premium fuel and the V6 with regular. If you put premium in the V6 It gets the same powerlevels and the EB and not much diffence with the fuel economy.
Ford should just call it T
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Ford should just call it T'Boost or something else. EcoBoost just doesn't sound right in a Mustang.
What people don't seem to
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What people don't seem to comprehend is that the 4cyl turbo has the best potential of the three. Sure the GT is the better performer in STOCK form, but this is the era of car tuners. Not many Mustang enthusiast out there these days that wont look at the aftermarket for intentions to make more horsepower. 200 extra rear wheel horsepower (or more) is SIMPLE with a turbo. VERY SIMPLE. Real car guys know this...
What people don't seem to
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What people don't seem to comprehend is that the 4cyl turbo has the best potential of the three. Sure the GT is the better performer in STOCK form, but this is the era of car tuners. Not many Mustang enthusiast out there these days that wont look at the aftermarket for intentions to make more horsepower. 200 extra rear wheel horsepower (or more) is SIMPLE with a turbo. VERY SIMPLE. Real car guys know this...
I'm sure the main reason
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I'm sure the main reason Ecoboosts are selling well is the fact you can't buy a V6 premium.
My point exactly. Ford didnt
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In reply to I'm sure the main reason by Guardstang (not verified)
My point exactly. Ford didnt offer the nicer trim options on the V6 with the intent of killing it off, knowing the majority of buyers dont care so much about what engine the car has as long as it looks good and has all the creature comforts they like.
I appreciate what Ford is
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I appreciate what Ford is trying to do with the EcoBoost. From what I can see it's a neat car. But I agree they should drop the "Eco" from the name. And I also concur with the opinion that the EB is taking some sales that might have been V-6 Premium cars.
For me, I bought my 2013 5.0 knowing full well that the V-6 would probably have made a lot more sense for a commuter such as myself. I just couldn't give up the v-8 rumble. I am probably a bit old-school in that regard. If looking for a Turbo'd 4 I'd probably be checking out the BMW M228i, not the Mustang, but that's just me.
If the EB helps Ford get into some new markets, it might just be what helps them keep sales volume up where they can continue to offer all Mustangs at a reasonable cost for the next 50 years. Let's hope so.
If I was to get the v6 I'll
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If I was to get the v6 I'll put a roush axle-back with some shorty headers.
If I was to get the GT I'll put either the ffrs cat-back exhaust or roush axle-back with MRT H pipe.
If I was to get the ecoboost I'll put the magnaflow competition exhaust.
Have you checked the cost of
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Have you checked the cost of insurance for a Mustang GT? That might be part of it.
The reason the V6 is not
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The reason the V6 is not selling well is not because most people prefer the turbo 4, it's because Ford is intentionally trying to kill it with a complete lack of options for the base model and no premium model at all. Other than rental car companies, not too many people want a bare bones car. So no surprise there. There are many of us ready to buy, but are not doing so as we want the V6 with some nice options. Really hate that Ford is trying to force a smaller motor on us that many don't want.
That's why its a base model.
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In reply to The reason the V6 is not by Dean (not verified)
That's why its a base model. Base models aren't supposed to have options, hence the name base.
I suppose, it's just matter
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I suppose, it's just matter of time before the Mustang GT comes with a Turbo 6 - that turbo 2.7, perhaps? Don't blame Ford they are simply dealing with regulations, after all BMW tired their vaunted straight-6 for a turbo-4 that likely has cost them sales. Seriously Ford is trying to force us, take a good hard look up and down the auto industry. Personally the 2.3 EB engine is a jewel, with not much effort owners are reporting well in excess of 31 mpg, and if you want more power out of it, that's there too.
The V6 with th eoptional 3.55
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The V6 with th eoptional 3.55 axle ratio and manual transmission is very appealing to me. The manual EcoBoost I drove - I drove a couple - had a very flat first gear before the turbo kicks in in second gear. It is more suited to an automatic transmission.
The EcoBoost is more for "tuners" who will modify the engine. I prefer the V6.
This will be just a fad. The
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This will be just a fad. The Mustang II sold very well, the first year or so, then tanked. I mean if it was so great because it sold so well, then why dont they still make it? So concept with the eco 4.
You're really going to
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In reply to This will be just a fad. The by Paine (not verified)
You're really going to compare the mustang ii to the ecoboost?!?!? Do some research on Ecoboost. Many people said the same thing about the 3.5 F-150 and look how it has destroyed V8's! 2.3 or ecoboost isn't a fad it's the future! The 3.5 replaced the 4.6/5.4 as the main powerhouse for ford, next looks like the 2.7 and so on. It will be this way until everything is full blown electric... But no compare a antique junk mustang to facts...
The reason for it not taking
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In reply to This will be just a fad. The by Paine (not verified)
The reason for it not taking back then was way different. It was the 1980's gas prices were still realy low so the motivation for buying a 4-cyclender car was not so appealing. This is a new era and it makes alot more sense now. I love it and I am all about this new Mustang so I bought one. With less than $1000 in parts I am making almost 400HP and 418TQ at the rear wheels. This is what is amazing!!! I am getting average of 25MPG and drive to work in heavy traffic daily. Do that with the GT and you will be lucky to average 15MPG. That is why this will be a success story.
How did you get the ecoboost
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In reply to The reason for it not taking by Randall (not verified)
How did you get the ecoboost to reach 400 hp?
I own a 2015 Mustang V6. My
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I own a 2015 Mustang V6. My friends with the 2014 V6 put a procharger with 9lbs of boost and make 457 RWHP and almost 400ft/lbs of toque. This far surpasses the 4cyl. With the procharger they are getting 30MPG when you keep your foot out of it. For the extra 5K added to the V6 you get far more performance than the almost maxed out 4cyl for about the same price point. I am looking forward to SCT getting in the game for the 2015 Mustang V6 so I can add a ProCharger to my car!
I'm a proud owner of a 2015
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I'm a proud owner of a 2015 Ford Mustang V6 and I have to said that in the performance department this 6 cylinders beast have nothing to envy to the 4 cylinder turbo Mustangs. They do almost identical numbers from 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph and in the 1/4 mile. With a skilled driver in control the difference is going to be just one or two tenth of a seconds, sometimes in favor of the V6 and sometimes in favor of the turbo everything depends on weather, temperatures, and road or track conditions, but if you opt for a V6 with a 3:55 axle ratio and a 6 speed manual I doubt that the "ECO" will be able to beat a V6 in a drag race. The only reason that Ford is selling more turbos than V6 is because people can opt for more features choosing an "ECO" over a V6 "Stang". Remember Ford wants to make sure that people get exited about the idea of the return of a turbo 4 cylinder Mustang after been absent for 29 years and also wants to make sure that some young costumers opt for an american icon stead of some sport import.
You're right Ivan, the V6
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You're right Ivan, the V6 appeals to lot's of people but the lack of a options keeps many buyers away. I was hoping Ford would think this through and offer the premium pkg on the 2016 V6, but no luck. I'm shopping for a convertible as a 3rd car and my choice is a stripped down V6, premium 4 banger (no thanks), or a premium GT that with a couple options is nearly $48k (yikes!) Sorry but I'm at the point in life where it's not all about 0-60 but more about heated power seats, a nice leather interior, and a good sound system. But I'm not about to spend that kind of money for a mustang to get those.
At least GM is on the right track with the 2016 Camaro. The V6 is their mid tier model and the new 4 banger is their entry level. Yet to see pricing but hopefully an optioned V6 convertible will be reasonably priced.
Hey Dean its looks like you
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Hey Dean its looks like you and I are in the same page. I totally agree with you on the idea of making the "Ecoboost" the entry model of the Mustang family. Something I forgot to mention on my last comment of why do I think the V-6 its a better option over the 4 cylinder its that if you want to feel the real power of the "ECO" you will have to spend a few dollars more every time you need to pump some gas in the tank because the 4 cylinder pony wont perform at full power unless its 93 octane premium gas what its have in the tank, contrary the V-6 that you can feel every of its 300 horses even if you use 87 octane regular gas and it wont affect the car, oh and there is not a big difference in mpg between these two "Stangs".
The Ecoboost seems like the
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The Ecoboost seems like the way to go for me, but I'm just interested in commuting and stylin' around town. The GT costs $6-$7k more and only gets me a 1 sec gain from 0-60. Squabbling over 1 sec is ridiculous to me because I'm a motorcycle guy. When I want speed I ride my BMW S1000RR which smokes Vettes, Ferraris, Lambos and even the Bugatti Veyron 0-200mph. Talking about performance in a car is pretty much a joke because even $1 million dollar cars can't match my $17k motorcycle. If you want performance, grow a pair and get a superbike.