Ecoboost Blast
Riding shotgun in a 2015 Ecoboost Mustang
By Steve Turner
Yesterday was big. After being dazzled by enough high-performance exploits to satiate even the most turbocharged gearhead, your editor’s day came to a close with the chance to ride in his first 2015 Mustang. Obviously many have sought the opportunity to experience the forthcoming S550 Mustang in action. While I would certainly be happier driving it, the chance to ride in the highly anticipated turbo variant was enough to rev my engine.
In the brief but spirited exercise, I sat in the passenger seat of an automatic, Ecoboost 2.3 Mustang while a Ford driver ran through the car’s selectable driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Track—on an autocross. With each click of the selector, the car’s performance took a notable move up the performance ladder. Sport mode added a bit more oomph, while using the paddle shifter to really wring out the rpm proved the most satisfying. Coupled with the matched-rev downshifting in this mode, the automatic option looks to offer an even more legitimate performance alternative for driving enthusiasts that don’t want a manual.
Regarding the engine performance, power seemed sufficient, but not overwhelming. However, I admit to being jaded by the power available from modified V-8s. For most people, the turbo 2.3 will seem quick. That said, after moving up from Fiesta and Focus STs earlier in the day, the EB 2.3 did seem somewhat burdened by the larger Mustang. We’ll see how it plays out in the final car, as these were clearly pre-production versions.
The IRS-equipped S550 acquitted itself well in and out of the turns. It maintains a relatively flat attitude, with just a touch of body roll. Though constrained on the tight autocross course, it would seem the Ecoboost Mustang might just offer even more fun on a road course where it could carry more speed. It will certainly do just fine on the street.
Other than the car’s performance, it is a quiet, civilized machine. It is, perhaps, too quiet for our growling tastes, but the sound of the exhaust was still under development, so these pre-production cars might not represent the real deal. With any luck, the Ecoboost ’Stang might just have a bit more bark when it finally hits the streets.
There will be plenty to write about the S550 in the coming months, but for now it’s good to know that the mid-level Mustang might just live up its potential. I’ll let you know for sure when they finally throw me the keys.
Awesome! Can’t wait to see the final product soon!
wow this thing looks sick
Is the rear splitter functional, or is it for looks only?
Looks like an intake/tune/exhaust will definitely wake this thing up. Anxiously awaiting final numbers and weight from Ford.
I only have a few days left to let my Dealer know which tranny I want on an LE (If I decide I want it).
Not having the luxury of driving one (Rev Matching Auto-GT) Do you feel that the new Auto being offered, would be as much fun as a manual?
QUOTE
Wheel selection is limited in my opinion, and don’t like that you are stuck with the black mesh wheel if you want the brembo’s.
I need that boost gauge for my cobra.
QUOTE
I wish I could get the EcoBoost PP wheels on the GT, those are my favorites. But I’m just gonna let the wife pick, because I’ll end up putting SVE Big & Littles on it for my weekend driving anyway lol.
I know there are alot of people complaining about being stuck with black wheels with the Performance Package, but that option is for track use. If you’re truly gonna use it on the track, then the black wheels will hide brake dust better.
The more I see of the ’15s the more I want one. So glad they finally decided to put paddle shifters in them! Thanks for the write up and impressions Steve!
QUOTE
I think I’m going with comp orange. I want another white one, but I cant pass up that orange.
It’s only a matter of time before you see an Ecoboost 2.3 running 10’s down the strip in street trim. Good write-up Steve.
QUOTE
Absolutely. Comp Orange was what drew Tiffany in, she’s always wanted a Comp Orange Terminator. I think I was the one that convinced her to go with Guard lol.
We know we sure can’t wait to get our hands on a deep impact blue 5.0! Great write up as always
How quickly does the auto shift with the paddles? Is it rather fast or painfully slow like the sport-shift in my wife’s 2010 Milan?
QUOTE
95+% of the cars will never see a road racing track, and racers do not care about hiding brake dust.
I wonder how much power can be made with that twin scroll KO4?
QUOTE
I can’t wait to see how these do once they are released.
QUOTE
I’m not a huge fan of the guard. Green is a no go. I might change my mind once I see it in person though.
Cannot believe this late, that there are no official numbers and only preproduction cars. 2015 cars will be out in a few months, there shouldn’t be so many unknowns with this vehicle. Should already be comparison tests between it and the Camaro/Challengers. Unless maybe it isn’t that good?
QUOTE
QUOTE
I doubt all the details and specs of the car are 100% set yet.
or maybe ford doesn’t want to just release numbers because they are just that, numbers… and their engineers put more into the cars than the numbers it produces.
p.s.
i would still like the performance figures, but i can understand why ford may be late in the game of releasing specs.
I think daddy needs an Eco in the garage.
Nice coverage! Thanks.
bj
QUOTE
how can it not be 100%. Shouldn’t it be hitting showrooms in 3-4 months? What changes except maybe programming can they do at this time?
You’d be surprised how much work is done right up to the moment production starts.
“In the brief but spirited exercise, I sat in the passenger seat of an automatic”
Was the vac/boost gauge in front of you functional?
What psi did you see if so?
For the love of God…is there a journalist alive that can look just much harder at what lies beneath and see if this is getting a one piece or a two piece driveshaft?
I failed you by not crawling under the car, Tob. However, I doubt it has the one-piece carbon shaft you are hoping for. 😉
Fail? Impossible. When others merely scratched the surface you dove down to retrieve the tech they felt didn’t matter or that their readers wouldn’t comprehend. The S197 powertrain and suspension articles that you and Wilson did on the GT500, Boss, etc, raised the bar to new heights. I expect nothing less this time around.:)
My sense is that with a similar wheelbase to the S197 that the S550 will still utilize a two piece on the 4,6, and the eight in the GT. Depending on how far Ford went to trim fat, I could see aluminum in place of steel. As for CF…my guess is that it’ll rear its head in form of a one piece on the Top Dog ’16 model.
Anyway, looking forward to the details finally being given the green light and reading your thoughts.
Thanks Tob! I was just having fun with ya. My guess is two-piece as well.