Ford has upgraded the turbocharged four-cylinder and V8 engines in its upcoming Mustang, with all variants due to receive a power increase – at least in US models.
The 2024 Ford Mustang’s flagship variant will produce up to 373kW from its 5.0-litre V8 engine in the US, with the car-maker’s Australian arm yet to confirm local outputs.
In a media announcement overnight, Ford detailed the US engine outputs for its upcoming seventh-generation Mustang, confirming the range will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder and a 5.0-litre V8.
For 2024, the Ford Mustang’s ‘Coyote’ 5.0-litre engine has been fitted with twin throttle bodies (one for each bank of the V8), resulting in the GT variant producing up to 362kW and 566Nm with an optional valved sports exhaust.
This is an increase of 30kW and 24Nm compared to the current-generation US Mustang, which underwent a power and torque cut last year, due to stricter emissions requirements.
The restrictions did not carry across to Australian-delivered V8 Mustangs, which produced up to 339kW and 556Nm – 33kW/10Nm less than the upcoming 2024 Mustang GT in the US.
Last month, a report by Ford Authority claimed the Mustang GT would not receive a power increase in the US, although the publication has since said the information was from pre-production models with unofficial output listings.
Without the active exhaust valve system optioned, 2024 Mustang GT outputs are 4kW/4Nm lower, rated at 358kW/562Nm.
As previously reported, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse is set to serve as the muscle car’s new top-of-the-range variant, gaining additional upgrades to its V8 engine such as a unique crankshaft and forged conrods.
These tweaks result in the Mustang Dark Horse producing up to 373kW (or 500 horsepower) – a 10kW power increase compared to the Mustang GT – with no changes to its torque.
While the Mustang’s turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder ‘EcoBoost’ offering receives a 3kW power boost (now producing up to 234kW and 474Nm), Ford claims the engine is ‘all-new’.
Compared to the outgoing Mustang, the new 2.3-litre engine is fitted with port and direct fuel injection (rather than just direct), an integrated airbox, a more efficient emissions system and a redesigned cylinder head.
Ford says its new four-cylinder engine will provide better fuel economy than its predecessor, which is sold in Australia with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 8.8 litres per 100km in mixed driving.
The 2024 Ford Mustang range will continue to be sold with a choice of two transmissions: a six-speed manual (now a V8 exclusive) and a 10-speed automatic (offered with four-cylinder and V8 engines), both of which send power to the rear wheels.
The Dark Horse variant is equipped with an upgraded six-speed manual transmission built by Tremec, shared with the limited-edition Mach 1 which was sold in Australia throughout 2021.
A spokesperson for Ford Australia told Drive it would confirm local specifications for the new Mustang closer to its launch in late 2023.
