Driving Sports

Ford is planning two major debuts this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Both the diminutive 2011 Fiesta and the iconic 2011 Mustang will be on display, with technical details abounding. Photos of the Fiesta aren't available until Tuesday evening, but we can tell you what we know about the Mustang right now.

Ford has announced that they will integrate their new direct-injection V6 engine into the Mustang sports coupe line starting with the 2011 model year (due out in 2010). This counts as big news because Ford has been touting the direct-injected V6 as the replacement for many of its V8 applications. So for sports car enthusiasts who are used to counting to eight, this is a make-or-break moment for the 'Stang.

V6 Is The New V8

The new engine will be an all-aluminum Duratec 3.7-liter DOHC Ti-VCT 24-valve V6. Unscrambling all that means that the new plant will be a double overhead cam four-valve-per-cylinder engine based on the proven technology that already powers Ford's four-cylinder offerings and several racing series.

Going along with the double overhead cams is the Ti-VCT feature. The acronym stands for Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing. Variable cam timing is nothing new, but Ford is using a refined version of the idea to boost performance and fuel economy while staying on the good side of the emissions problem.

The new engine is expected to have a redline of 7,000 RPM, and to deliver 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options include a new six-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual transmission.

Limited slip differential will be standard in a 2.73 ratio.  Performance enthusiasts can specify an available 3.31 rear axle ratio for better off-the-line launch characteristics.

Fuel economy is expect to be 19 MPG city and 30 MPG on the highway with the six-speed automatic transmission, up almost 25% from 16/24 on the 2010 model with an automatic. The manual transmission does a little worse at 18 city/29 highway, but that's still up from 18/26 on the 2010 model with manual

What about the Mustang GT?

If you want the current V8, you'd better buy one soon. Ford hasn't formally announced the future of the V8-powered Mustang GT, but rumor has it that the current 315-horsepower v8 will be replaced with a 400-horse V8.

Meanwhile, the Mustang V6 will be available with a Performance Package starting in August 2010. Designed for driving enthusiasts, the Mustang V6 Performance Package includes the 3.31 rear axle ratio, GT suspension, 19-inch wheels, better tires, strut tower brace, and more aggressive settings on the stability control system.

Of course, we've got a 2010 Mustang GT in the driveway right now, and it saw an honest 25 MPG on the highway road trip over the Thanksgiving holiday, so we're thinking the day of the V8 may not be over just yet.

And It's All-American

In good news for the domestic job market, the 2011 Mustang will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. The new 3.7-liter V-6 will be built at Ford’s recently retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1. That's good news for the economy, and should help boost Ford's fortunes even further.