In what you might consider an early Christmas gift, Ford is giving Mustang customers more horsepower with upgrades to its 5.0-liter V-8, among other engines. It's is quite a treat.
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Ford is spreading lots of holiday cheer this season by giving Mustang fans precisely what they had on their wish list: more horses across every engine offering for the all-new, seventh-generation 2024 Mustang, including 500 horsepower with the Mustang Dark Horse.
“Mustang has always pushed the envelope. From Mustang GT to Dark Horse, this is our best 5.0-liter V8 yet. It’s naturally aspirated awesomeness,” said Ed Krenz, Mustang’s chief engineer. “And Mustang EcoBoost fans are also getting a boost in power to make every Mustang more fun and visceral to drive.”
First-ever Mustang Dark Horse delivers 500 horsepower
For the pinnacle of 5.0-liter V8 performance and track capability, the Mustang Dark Horse features a uniquely engineered fourth-generation Coyote V-8 engine that delivers 500 horsepower and 418 pounds-feet of torque to set a new benchmark for Mustang street and track performance, and the most potent non-Shelby edition ever.
Powered by Ford Performance know-how, the Coyote engine was upgraded even further to produce 500 horsepower, delivering its most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 yet. These upgrades include a uniquely balanced crankshaft and forged piston connecting rods – the latter first introduced in the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – to handle higher cylinder pressures and piston speeds. Mustang Dark Horse also sports strengthened camshafts for track-durability needs, including extended operation closer to its 7,500-rpm redline.
“Every time someone gets behind the wheel of a Mustang, we know they want to feel that strong connection to their vehicle – and we’re just as invested in creating that bond,” said Suzanne Robinson, Coyote engine program supervisor. “With the increased responsiveness you get from the new dual throttle bodies, we’re wringing every ounce of performance we can out of our engine so Mustang enthusiasts can have that experience.”
Most Powerful Mustang GT 5.0-liter V-8
The core that makes the all-new Mustang the most exhilarating and visceral vehicle is a new fourth-generation Coyote V-8 engine. The available active-valve performance exhaust system enables the Mustang GT coupe and convertible to deliver 486 horsepower and 418 pounds-feet of torque. Beyond the boost in power, the system’s free-flowing design delivers a custom V-8 sound with the ability to close the valves to restrict the amount of noise made by the car.
Those opting for the standard Mustang GT still enjoy 480 horsepower -- the most standard power in a naturally aspirated V8-powered Mustang ever. In addition, the engine delivers 415 pounds-feet of torque for the most standard torque ever.
The fourth-generation Coyote V8 features a segment-first, dual intake, and dual throttle body induction system that’s matched with structural improvements and an upgraded oil pan. This helps minimize induction loss by enabling higher air flow rates.
For Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse, horsepower and torque ratings are the same for automatic and manual transmissions.
Turbocharged Mustang EcoBoost delivers up to 315 horsepower
Continuing a tradition of affordable performance, the all-new 2024 Mustang EcoBoost delivers on the nameplate’s legacy with its all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 315 horsepower, the most standard power in a four- or six-cylinder Mustang ever. In addition, the engine delivers 350 pounds-feet of torque.
Mustang EcoBoost also offers the optional active-valve performance exhaust system designed for even more excitement from its turbocharged soundtrack.
The Mustang EcoBoost coupe and convertible feature a new engine from the ground up that incorporates Ford’s new Modular Power Cylinder (MPC) engine architecture, driving prowess in design and function – and is targeted to have improved EPA-estimated fuel economy over the outgoing model year. It uses a new Bore to Stroke ratio, Port Fuel injection coupled with direct injection, variable cam timing, integrated Exhaust Gas Recirculation, and Twin Scroll turbocharging technologies to deliver the performance Mustang drivers expect.
The all-new 2024 Mustang coupe and convertible models go on sale in the U.S. starting in the summer of 2023 and are assembled at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, MI.
Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971 when an otherwise normal news editor said, "You're our new car editor," and dumped about 27 pounds of auto stuff on my desk. I was in heaven as I have been a gearhead from my early days. As a teen, I spent the usual number of misspent hours hanging out at gas stations (a big thing in my youth) and working on cars. From there on, it was a straight line to my first column for the paper, "You Auto Know," an enterprise I handled faithfully for 32 years. Not many people know that I also handled computer documentation for a good part of my earnings while writing YAN. My best writing, though, was always in cars. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. You can follow me on: Twitter or Facebook.
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