2006 Ford Mustang

Powertrain and Chassis

Muscular engines infuse Mustang with tire-smoking performance. The 4.6-liter aluminum V-8 has three-valve heads and cranks out 300 horsepower. That's more than 50 percent more power than the small-block 289-cubic-inch V-8 found in the classic 1964 model.

The st and ard engine, a 60-degree 4.0-liter SOHC V-6, produces 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque.

Five-speed manual transmissions are st and ard. The V-8 powered GT is equipped with a rugged Tremec 3650 gearbox, while V-6 uses the proven Tremec T-5. Since 2005, Mustang has been available with a five-speed automatic which provides a unique combination of off-the-line jump and good highway fuel economy.

At the front suspension, MacPherson struts with reverse "L" lower control arms deliver both comfort and control. The three-link rear suspension has a lightweight, tubular Panhard rod that provides precise control of the rear axle. This technology stabilizes the rear axle as the wheels move, particularly during hard cornering.

The st and ard four-wheel disc brakes have the biggest rotors and stiffest calipers ever fitted to a mainstream Mustang. Twin-piston aluminum calipers clamp down on 12.4-inch ventilated front brake discs on GT models.

In the rear, the brake rotors are 11.8 inches in diameter – more than 12 percent larger than on the 2004 model.

A four-channel anti-lock braking system with traction control is available for a greater degree of brake control. It uses electronic sensors to constantly monitor road conditions and feed the information to a dedicated control computer capable of determining, within milliseconds, whether the vehicle is on dry pavement or negotiating a slippery surface. When traction control isn't desired, drivers can deactivate the system with a simple button on the instrument panel.

Dearborn, August 23, 2005
Source: Ford Mustang news from the Ford Motor Company

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