Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost upgrade adds fun to the four-cylinder coupe

But this is not your emblematic four-cylinder engine. It has 105 much horsepower than the Mustang’s banal V-8 did conscionable 20 years ago. 

Rated astatine 330 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque, this motor gives the Mustang the quality to determination quicky and impressively, portion besides providing decent substance economy.

The peculiar 2.3-liter motor is differentiated from the modular 2.3 EcoBoost by its somewhat larger twin-scroll turbo compressor, caller motor calibration, and larger radiator. 

Our 2021 Mustang EcoBoost coupe trial conveyance (base terms $32,175 positive $1,195 freight) was EPA rated astatine 20 mpg city/27 highway/23 combined. (Performance and mileage ratings are based connected utilizing premium unleaded fuel.)

A 10-speed automatic transmission added $1,595 to the sticker price; a six-speed manual gearbox is standard. With the transmission upgrade besides came 265/40R19 Y-rated summertime tires.

Also added to the basal terms of our tester was the 2.3-liter High Performance Package ($6,095) bringing the active-valve show exhaust and a peculiar rear decklid spoiler.

Ford says up to 90 percent of the engine’s torque is disposable from 3,000 rpm to redline, which is 6,800 rpm.

Our conveyance besides had the Handling Package ($1,995), which added a 3.55 Torsen rear axle, 19-inch premium painted wheels, and the Magneride Damping System. 

We besides had the Equipment Group 201A ($2,300), which brought adaptive cruise control, premier exterior trim, the Ford Safe and Smart Package, and a voice-activated touch-screen navigation system.

The interior of our car was upgraded with Recaro leather-trimmed athletics seats ($1,595), with the beforehand bucket seats heavy bolstered connected the sides. Oddly, though, for a car whose sticker terms pushed adjacent the $50,000 mark: The beforehand seats were manually adjustable, alternatively than power.

The 2021 Ford Mustang coupe has seating for up to 4 radical and tons of modular features.

Ford Motor Co.

Other extras included an AM/FM/single-CD HD vigor ($995) and premium beforehand and rear level liners ($170).

There was a full of $14,745 successful options connected our vehicle, which raised the full terms to $48,115, including freight.

Ford says this caller bundle for the EcoBoost is 1 of “nine abstracted show variants” of its iconic pony car, “rekindling the aureate property of Mustang performance.”

The sixth procreation of the Mustang arrived for 2015, and comes successful fastback coupe and soft-top convertible models.

Our EcoBoost coupe came with the Antimatter Blue exterior overgarment (very acheronian blue) and Midnight Blue interior.

As for the convertible models, with the most-recent re-design, their driblet apical got a caller electromechanical centrifugal thrust and more-convenient single-handle halfway latch, and tin retract successful fractional the clip of the extortion connected the erstwhile generation. It takes little than 20 seconds to little oregon rise the top, utilizing the switches successful the overhead console.

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It comes with a modular cloth outer layer, but is afloat lined and insulated, which helps springiness the car a quieter thrust erstwhile the extortion is up.

Rather than the mean auto-industry signifier of designing a coupe first, past cutting disconnected the apical to make a convertible, Ford said the newest-generation ragtop mentation got adjacent attraction successful the plan and engineering processes, making it overmuch similar a abstracted vehicle.

The extremity was to marque definite each stood connected its ain portion gathering accrued standards of quality, show and refinement, the automaker said.

Both the fastback and the convertible transportation connected the Mustang tradition, but they don’t person arsenic overmuch of the retro look arsenic the 5th generation. Still, Ford retained capable of the aged look that the car is readily identifiable arsenic a Mustang, down to the signature taillights with the sequencing rear crook signals.

Coupe and convertible see the Mustang’s signature long, sculpted hood and abbreviated rear deck, on with the tri-bar taillights. The car has a lower, wider stance, on with wider rear fenders and track.

Also included are the accepted shark-bite beforehand fascia and trapezoidal grille.

The wide styling looks much European than American musculus car, though, which is simply a concession to the satellite marketplace that Ford wants to play successful with the Mustang.

While it seems thing of a gamble for Ford to springiness the Mustang a basal four-cylinder motor for the archetypal clip since the 3rd generation, this is not truly a liability. The 2.3-liter is simply a mentation of Ford’s EcoBoost household of turbo four-cylinder engines, and includes nonstop injection and adaptable cam timing.

The cockpit was “aviation-inspired,” Ford says, with each accusation and controls readily accessible. Attention has been fixed to item and craftsmanship. There are ample instruments and a assortment of audio and connectivity options.

This coupe seats lone four, and adjacent though the rear seating country inactive is somewhat cramped, the compartment is roomier, with much enarthrosis and hep room, particularly up front, than that of the 5th generation. The beforehand bucket seats are comfortable, but not everyone volition admit the bolstering.

Trunk abstraction is simply a alternatively generous 13.5 cubic feet successful the coupe.

With the automatic transmission, determination are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for those who privation the convenience of nary clutch, but inactive immoderate power implicit the shifting.

Overall, the sixth procreation Mustang has caller beforehand and rear suspension systems. Up beforehand is simply a double-ball-joint MacPherson strut statement that was designed to let for larger, much almighty brakes.

At the rear is an integral-link autarkic suspension, with springs, dampers and bushings tuned for high-performance driving. Aluminum rear knuckles assistance trim value for improved thrust and handling.

Among modular features connected our EcoBoost coupe were a backup camera; dual “smart-charging” USB ports; reverse sensing system; Intelligent Access with pushbutton start; Ford’s SYNC 3 and MyKey connectivity systems; Track Apps; and leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering instrumentality with audio and cruise controls; selectable driving modes; limited-slip rear axle; 12-inch LCD integer instrumentality cluster; ambient interior lighting; dual-zone automatic clime control; and a split-folding rear seat.

Toggle switches connected the console let the operator to take among the car’s selectable thrust modes, which set steering effort, motor response, and physics stableness power settings. The precocious stableness power is tuned to maximize the Mustang’s performance.

Other modular features see rain-sensing wipers, exterior “pony” projection lights; LED signature headlights and fog lights; hood vents; illuminated sill plates; and a cosmopolitan gate/garage opener.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III person appeared regularly successful the Express-News since 2000. Contact him astatine chambers@auto-writer.com.

2021 Ford Mustang High-Performance EcoBoost Coupe 

The package: Midsize, two-door, four-passenger, turbocharged four-cylinder powered, rear-wheel thrust coupe.
Highlights: Ford’s pony car is present successful its sixth generation, with a turbocharged four-cylinder motor added to the powertrain mix. For 2021, the four-cylinder models are offered with the 2.3-liter High-Performance EcoBoost Package ($6,095).
Negatives: Rear spot choky adults.
Engine: 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder, high-performance.
Transmissions: Six-speed manual; 10-speed automatic ($1,595 extra).
Power/torque: 330 horsepower/350 foot-pounds (2.3-liter).
Length: 188.5 inches.
Curb weight: 3,752 pounds.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, anti-lock.
Trunk volume: 13.5 cubic feet.
Side aerial bags: Front seat-mounted, standard.
Electronic stableness control: Standard. 
Fuel capacity/type: 15.5 gallons/unleaded premium (for champion performance).
EPA substance economy: 20 mpg city/27 highway/23 combined. 
Major competitors: Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Nissan 370Z. 
Base price: $32,175, positive $1,195 freight.
Price arsenic tested: $48,115, including freight and options (2021 High-Performance EcoBoost coupe, automatic).
On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a imaginable 10). 

 Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; existent selling terms whitethorn vary.