\Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe
“An Amazingly Hot Four-Banger”
By Arv Voss
OVERVIEW:
The first Ford Mustang to appear on the automotive scene was a simple sporty affair that was referred to as a “Ponycar” which alluded to its performance characteristics that were packaged in its somewhat diminutive form when compared to much larger performance oriented vehicles.
Since that first ponycar example, the Mustang has evolved through a variety of design forms as well as a myriad of different powerplants. It was always however a Mustang first and a Ford second and it always enjoyed a dedicated and devout fan base. That devoted following seemed to have been disrupted by the appearance of the Ford Mustang Mach E – an electrified vehicle that displayed none of the iconic Mustang attributes. Mustang faithfulls denounced it as a Mustang and claimed that it should have been dubbed simply the Ford Mach E.
The original Mustang image has been resurrected in true ponycar form with the
Creation of the Ford Mustang Ecoboost four-cylinder powered Coupe that is now not only a sleek, sexy 2-door, but it is wickedly fast, handles with incredible agility and it delivers impressive highway mileage. The first 4-cylinder coupe appeared as a carbureted 88 horsepower 2.3 liter Mustang II. It then graduated to a still carbureted 132 horses in 1979, followed by the Mustang SVO in 1986 that bumped the horsepower to 200.
POWER SOURCE EVOLUTION
In 2015, nearly 30 years later, the 2.3 liter four banger made its debut as the Mustang Ecoboost turbocharged coupe delivering 310 horsepower. The 2024 version is Ford’s seventh-generation, substantially revised EcoBoost engine and the sleek new Coupe now comes with a smaller twin-scroll turbocharger with an electronic wastegate, an additional 5 horsepower and direct and port fuel injection. The torque remains at 350 pound feet .
Motive energy is delivered to the rear wheels exclusively through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
There is an optional High Performance pack that doesn’t yield the same slight horsepower as last year’s model but included are 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero PZ4 summer tires, a Torsen 3.55:1 limited-slip differential as well as a performance-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo front calipers along with n electronic pull-up parking brake (marketed as a drift brake)
AS TESTED:
My 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe came with a Carbonized Gray metallic exterior finish, while the interior was executed in Space Gray. The base price was set at $36,445. The final total amounted to $47,590. after factoring in Equipment Group 201A which includes leather-trimmed bucket seats, the 2.3-liter High Performance Package, Premium front and rear floor liners liners with carpet mats, Active Performance exhaust, Recaro seats and Destination and Delivery fee.
INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS;
The front portion of the cabin is quite comfortable once inside although ingress and egress might prove to be a chore for tall individuals as the car sits exceptionally low, The rear seats are another story, especially with tall front seat occupants as leg room is limited. Headroom aft is also limited due to the rear sloping roofline.
INFOTAINMENT AND CONNECTIVITY:
Technology features are satisfactory and up to par by current standards. The large curved screen takes some getting used to and isn’t necessarily intuitive in certain applications, but it is adequate and the IP features and switchgear are well placed.
PERFORMANCE:
All nit-picking small issues aside, the 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Coupe that I tested was a blast to drive. It didn’t need a 10-speed automatic transmission wasn’t necessary and 8 speeds would have done nicely as there seemed to be an excessive penchant for upshifting. The Active Exhaust feature was okay but leaned to the flatulent side, reminiscent of early Vipers.
The handling characteristics were indeed sporty and responded instantly. The ride quality was firm, but not invasive.
OUR FINAL TAKE:
The Ford Mustang “Ponycar” is back with a vengeance in this latest EcoBoost coupe. If you are a “dyed in the wool” fan of the original Mustang, you’ll love this one and the four-cylinder issue is not an issue at all. Admittedly, there are other Mustangs in Ford’s stable that are bigger and more powerful; but this one definitely lives up to its performance expectations.
SPECIFICATIONS: Ford Mustang Ecoboost Coupe
Vehicle Type: 4 passenger 2-door coupe – front engine, RWD
Base Price: $36,445.
As Tested Price: $47,590.
Motor Size and Type: 2.3-liter Ecoboost Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder with direct fuel injection. Modular Power Cylinder feature
Horsepower (bhp): 315 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 350 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Suspension: Front – strut type
Rear – multilink
Brakes: Power-assisted four wheel vented discs mounted on Silver 5-“U”-spoke alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 107.0 inches
Overall Length: 189.4 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 55.0 inches
Curb Weight: 3,812 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 15.5 gallons
EPA Mileage Rating: City – 21 mpg / hwy 29 mpg –combined 24 mpg
0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
\Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe
“An Amazingly Hot Four-Banger”
By Arv Voss
OVERVIEW:
The first Ford Mustang to appear on the automotive scene was a simple sporty affair that was referred to as a “Ponycar” which alluded to its performance characteristics that were packaged in its somewhat diminutive form when compared to much larger performance oriented vehicles.
Since that first ponycar example, the Mustang has evolved through a variety of design forms as well as a myriad of different powerplants. It was always however a Mustang first and a Ford second and it always enjoyed a dedicated and devout fan base. That devoted following seemed to have been disrupted by the appearance of the Ford Mustang Mach E – an electrified vehicle that displayed none of the iconic Mustang attributes. Mustang faithfulls denounced it as a Mustang and claimed that it should have been dubbed simply the Ford Mach E.
The original Mustang image has been resurrected in true ponycar form with the
Creation of the Ford Mustang Ecoboost four-cylinder powered Coupe that is now not only a sleek, sexy 2-door, but it is wickedly fast, handles with incredible agility and it delivers impressive highway mileage. The first 4-cylinder coupe appeared as a carbureted 88 horsepower 2.3 liter Mustang II. It then graduated to a still carbureted 132 horses in 1979, followed by the Mustang SVO in 1986 that bumped the horsepower to 200.
POWER SOURCE EVOLUTION
In 2015, nearly 30 years later, the 2.3 liter four banger made its debut as the Mustang Ecoboost turbocharged coupe delivering 310 horsepower. The 2024 version is Ford’s seventh-generation, substantially revised EcoBoost engine and the sleek new Coupe now comes with a smaller twin-scroll turbocharger with an electronic wastegate, an additional 5 horsepower and direct and port fuel injection. The torque remains at 350 pound feet .
Motive energy is delivered to the rear wheels exclusively through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
There is an optional High Performance pack that doesn’t yield the same slight horsepower as last year’s model but included are 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero PZ4 summer tires, a Torsen 3.55:1 limited-slip differential as well as a performance-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo front calipers along with n electronic pull-up parking brake (marketed as a drift brake)
AS TESTED:
My 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe came with a Carbonized Gray metallic exterior finish, while the interior was executed in Space Gray. The base price was set at $36,445. The final total amounted to $47,590. after factoring in Equipment Group 201A which includes leather-trimmed bucket seats, the 2.3-liter High Performance Package, Premium front and rear floor liners liners with carpet mats, Active Performance exhaust, Recaro seats and Destination and Delivery fee.
INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS;
The front portion of the cabin is quite comfortable once inside although ingress and egress might prove to be a chore for tall individuals as the car sits exceptionally low, The rear seats are another story, especially with tall front seat occupants as leg room is limited. Headroom aft is also limited due to the rear sloping roofline.
INFOTAINMENT AND CONNECTIVITY:
Technology features are satisfactory and up to par by current standards. The large curved screen takes some getting used to and isn’t necessarily intuitive in certain applications, but it is adequate and the IP features and switchgear are well placed.
PERFORMANCE:
All nit-picking small issues aside, the 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Coupe that I tested was a blast to drive. It didn’t need a 10-speed automatic transmission wasn’t necessary and 8 speeds would have done nicely as there seemed to be an excessive penchant for upshifting. The Active Exhaust feature was okay but leaned to the flatulent side, reminiscent of early Vipers.
The handling characteristics were indeed sporty and responded instantly. The ride quality was firm, but not invasive.
OUR FINAL TAKE:
The Ford Mustang “Ponycar” is back with a vengeance in this latest EcoBoost coupe. If you are a “dyed in the wool” fan of the original Mustang, you’ll love this one and the four-cylinder issue is not an issue at all. Admittedly, there are other Mustangs in Ford’s stable that are bigger and more powerful; but this one definitely lives up to its performance expectations.
SPECIFICATIONS: Ford Mustang Ecoboost Coupe
Vehicle Type: 4 passenger 2-door coupe – front engine, RWD
Base Price: $36,445.
As Tested Price: $47,590.
Motor Size and Type: 2.3-liter Ecoboost Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder with direct fuel injection. Modular Power Cylinder feature
Horsepower (bhp): 315 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 350 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Suspension: Front – strut type
Rear – multilink
Brakes: Power-assisted four wheel vented discs mounted on Silver 5-“U”-spoke alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 107.0 inches
Overall Length: 189.4 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 55.0 inches
Curb Weight:
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