Automotive Engineering - September 2023 - 20

ROAD READY
Under the hood of Ford's latest Mustang
Ford's seventh-generation Mustang is
continuing the tradition of improving
the breed with each iteration. While the
changes under the skin may seem incremental,
the 2024 Mustang has been
bred to deliver an even higher level of
performance. The engines from the previous
pony have been carried forward,
with the 2.3-L EcoBoost 4-cyl. serving
as the base powerplant and the 5.0-L
Coyote V8 continuing as the GT's mill.
The EcoBoost I-4 remains SAE-rated
at 315 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and
350 lb-ft. (475 Nm), which matches the
outgoing entry-level Mustang's output.
However, there have been some significant
hardware changes to the ancillaries
and engine internals.
The latest EcoBoost features a new
twin-scroll turbocharger with a lighter
rotating assembly, which allows for
faster spooling as well as roller finger
follower lifters instead of the previous
generation's direct actuating mechanical
buckets. This reportedly allowed
better overall control of valve actuation
for improved emissions performance.
The EcoBoost's fueling setup also now
features both port and direct injection.
One notable omission from the
EcoBoost's spec sheet for 2024 is a
manual transmission. Ford states that
the take rate for manual EcoBoosts
The Dark Horse is the flagship of Ford's powered-up 2024 Mustang lineup.
didn't represent a strong business case
to continue offering the option. The
10-speed automatic will serve as the
only gearbox for the force-fed mare.
On the GT side of the stable, power
output has risen to a healthy 480 hp at
7150 rpm and 415 lb-ft (563 Nm) 4,900
rpm. Those figures represent a 30-hp
and 5 lb-ft peak gain at a slightly faster
engine speed over the previous GT and
even eclipses the output of the 2023
Mach-1 Mustang by 10 hp. The available
active valve exhaust enhances output of
the GT even further, to 486 hp at 7250
rpm and 418 ft-lb (567 Nm).
Where Ford really let go of the reigns
for the latest Mustang was on the topspec
Dark Horse, which takes a naturally
aspirated Mustang engine to
heights previously only seen by stallions
adorned with a Cobra or a Shelby
badge. The Dark Horse still features the
same 5.0-L Coyote V8 as the GT, but
with several key enhancements that
bring its output up to a staggering 500
hp at 7,250 rpm.
To hit the magical 100-hp-per-liter
milestone, Ford's engineers bestowed
the V8 with forged connecting rods from
GT500 to account for higher peak cylinder
pressure, thanks to the Dark Horse's
additional grille air-intake volume. All
Coyote V8s for the 2024 Mustang now
feature a new dual throttle-body manifold,
which provided a substantial reduction
of induction losses.
The most significant differentiator
The 2024 Mustang cabin;
now only V8 models offer
the option of a manual
transmission.
20 September 2023
between GT and Dark Horse Mustangs
doesn't lie under the hood, but rather
in the transmission tunnel. Mustang GTs
come standard with a Getrag MT-82
gearbox, while Dark Horse models receive
a Tremec-made TR-3160. Ford's
engineers stated this choice was based
on customer feedback. While Ford believes
the Getrag 6-speed is appropriate
for its Mustang GT customers, the
additional performance of the Dark
Horse and the model's track-oriented
nature made the Tremec unit an appropriate
choice.
Matt Wolfe
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
BOTH IMAGES: FORD
Automotive Engineering - September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive Engineering - September 2023
