No twin turbo 5.0L for Ford Shelby GT500 after all

Rumors were flying around the last few months regarding the next generation powerplants in the Mustang. So far most of them have proven true, as we know for certain the 2011 model will feature a 5.0L V8 as speculated.

One of those rumors, however, is not going to come to fruition. Mike Harrison, Ford's chief engineer for the 5.0L and 6.2L V8 engines told Autoblog that this was not an option for the new Shelby. The main obstacle is the sheer size of the 5.0, as it consumes almost the entire engine bay of a Mustang.

Well, we can't have everything we want now can we?

EcoBoost V8 powered Ford Shelby Mustang in the works?

Here's a rumor that actually makes a lot of sense - an EcoBoost V8 powered Mustang. We've already got 4 and 6 cylinder EcoBoost engines in the works, why now an 8 cylinder?

And the rumor is that the boosted V8 would be under the hood of a Mustang, a Shelby Mustang at that. In other works, a direct injected, twin turbo, V8 powered Mustang. Let the enthusiasts and aftermarkets of the world commence drooling now.

While there is nothing wrong with the current GT500's supercharged 5.4L, it does get pretty bad gas mileage. And with the ever looming threat of a ZR1 Camaro on the horizon, it makes sense that Ford would be ready to win the horsepower war at the top.

400 hp 5.0 "Coyote" confirmed for 2010

5.0 is a magical displacement, one that means a lot to the Ford loyalists, and now the designation is going to make a comeback. Many moaned and groaned when the 2010 Mustang was released and retained the 'ol 4.6, but spy shots showing an aluminum engine under the hood of a new Mustang gave hope for the future.

According to Ford Australia's product development director, Russell Christophers, the U.S. team is indeed working on an all-new, aluminum double-overhead cam 5.0-liter V8 – codenamed "Coyote" – with output expected to crest 400 hp and around 400 lb-ft of torque. Christophers told Australia's Drive, "I have seen the performance curves and it is a pretty good engine."

The new 32-valve, 5.0-liter V8 is expected to be fitted to the Mustang and F-150 sometime in 2010, replacing the current 4.6- and 5.4-liter. This will certainly give the new Camaro a little run for it's money.

Spy shots of Ford's new "Coyote" V8

When Ford introduced the 2010 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in November, there was some disappointment expressed over the engine lineup. The V6 was unchanged and the 4.6L was only mildly tweaked. Ford officials strongly hinted that this was just the beginning and that the Mustang would follow the pattern of the 2008-9 Escape. In 2008the Escape got new bodywork and the following year the engines got a complete revamp.

Similarly, the Mustangs are expected to get heart transplants next year. It's still unclear what base engine will replace the old 4.0L V6 although a 2.0L EcoBoost four has been rumored. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is also expected to be an important part of the lineup. But the most die-hard Mustang fans only seem to care about V8s. A new 32-valve 5.0L is expected to replace the 4.6L and 5.4L V8s in the Mustang and the F-150. Unlike the 5.4L in the trucks, the new "Coyote" V8 uses a significantly lighter aluminum block, and based on the spy pics that have just turned up, it will also use an aluminum intake manifold in place of the plastic unit used on the current V8s. The Coyote should give the Mustang GT 400 hp to play with, putting it on par with the Camaro SS but at a lighter weight. Bring it on!

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]