Today we have a very picture heavy blog about the return of the 5.0 liter to Ford’s 2011 Mustang GT. Indeed, one of the worst kept secrets of 2010, the 5.0 liter “coyote” engine has been rumored around the Internets for months and months now. Officially released, or dis-embargoed, this week at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford has released scads of images of both the car with the slightly re-styled 5.0 badge on it’s fenders, and of the engine itself.

The engine is still based on the same block as the current (since 1996) Mustang’s 4.6 liter, but has been stroked and bored to a true 5.0 liter (how many knew that the 5.0 liter of old was technically a 4.9 liter that Ford rounded up for publicity sake?). The stroke is reportedly 9.2mm and the bore has been enlarged to 9.7mm. But what really makes the difference is both the dual overhead cam with four valves per cylinder versus the old 4.6’s 3 valved single overhead cam. For better torque Ford added some more new technology in the line of the variable cam timing (which the new 6 cylinder for the Mustang will have). This also improves the gas mileage to help Ford’s muscle cars up the CAFE requirements. Finish this off with a new composite material intake manifold and tubular exhaust headers, and you’re looking at the previously released numbers of 412 horsepower but with up to 25MPG freeway (19 city). Redline moved from 6500RPM to an even 7000. All this only requires about 10 more pounds than the old 4.6 Liter, so this 2011 model will likely be the nimblest American muscle car around. Even though the popular Camaro and the Dodge Challenger both offer larger engines, they weigh in significantly heavier than Ford’s pony and unsurpisingly feel a bit heavier through any curves. Speaking of nimble, the 2011 also gets electronic assist power steering.
The outside of the Mustang is largely unchanged, since it just went through a restyle in 2010 and the interior is the same. There are three new paint colors that will be available in 2011 including the “race red” you see here. The others will be “Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat” and for you sleeper car lovers, “Ingot Silver”. The convertible will come with a strut tower brace standard and the GT will have a Brembo brake package with 14 inch front rotors, 19 inch wheels and summer performance tires. Interior gets the “mykey” package and some other niceties like universal garage door opener built in and illuminated sun visors.

Click on any of the pictures for larger images.