2011 Ford Mustang GT a Class Leader with 26 MPG & 412 Horsepower

As if the announcement for the 2011 Mustang V-6 fuel economy numbers were not impressive enough news has come down the 2011 Mustang GT with it's all-new 5.0-liter motor will get 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.  These fuel economy numbers were made official by the EPA this week cementing the 2011 Mustang GT as having the best fuel economy in its class.  It's truly amazing these kind of numbers can be achieved from a V-8 motor producing 412 horsepower and 390 pound feet of torque.

“The 2011 Mustang continues to exceed expectations in every category, and these fuel economy numbers are another chapter in an incredible story,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “To offer this kind of horsepower and class-leading fuel economy in a comfortable, beautiful, tech-savvy and affordable package – it’s really unprecedented.”

To achieve these class leading fuel economy numbers the 2011 Mustang GT gives thanks to Ford's new Ti-VCT cam-torque-actuated variable camshaft timing system used on the all-new 5.0-liter motor along with improvements in the aerodynamics of the 2011 Mustangs body.  The new EPAS power steering system helps reduce drag on the motor and the pair of new six-speed transmission also play a big role.

Read more about the 2011 Mustang GT achieving class leading fuel economy numbers below in the press release.

Press Release:

DEARBORN, Mich., March 16, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, powered by a new 412-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine, adds yet another notch to its belt: an EPA rating of 26 mpg highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, giving it the best fuel economy in its class.

With the six-speed manual transmission, Mustang GT coupe is rated at 17 mpg city and 26 highway, while models with the available six-speed automatic achieve 18 mpg city and 25 highway.

The GT’s best in class fuel numbers come on the heels of the Mustang V-6, which just last week cracked the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce 305 horsepower and 31 mpg highway.

Mustang GT is powered by an all-new 5.0-liter double-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) V-8 with a host of advanced features to deliver the combination of power and class-leading fuel economy.

Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs. A carefully tuned intake and exhaust system ensures free breathing at all engine speeds. And all-aluminum construction results in a lightweight yet durable powerplant.

A pair of new transmissions, both with six forward ratios, also play a large part in making the 2011 Mustang a breakthrough car. Regardless of whether drivers want to shift for themselves or let the car shift for them, they’re treated to carefully chosen gear ratios to maximize fuel economy while still delivering high-horsepower performance.

“Mustang powertrain development has reached a point where customers don’t have to choose between fuel efficiency and performance,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. “Thanks to technologies like Ti-VCT and our six-speed gearboxes, a Mustang driver has the best of both worlds.”

Fuel economy improvements on all Mustang models

Mustang GT shares fuel economy accolades with the new 3.7-liter Mustang V-6 – the first production car ever to offer both 300-plus horsepower and 31 mpg on the highway. Official 2011 EPA fuel economy ratings for the Mustang product line are: