NASCAR is most oriented with V8 thunder – OK, and maybe with turning left and spectacular crashes – but America’s favorite motorsport will soon be lead by a V6-powered pony car. Ford announced earlier on Wednesday that a 2011 Ford Mustang V6 has been selected as a NASCAR pace car.
Marking the second time a Mustang has lead the pack this year, the 2011 Mustang V6 will pace the Food Land 500 at Bristol International Speedway. A V8-power Ford Mustang GT paced the 2010 Daytona race last February.
Although V8 performance is any easy connection to make with NASCAR fans, Ford chose the V6-powered model to showcase its class-leading 305 horsepower and 31mpg. In comparison, the 2010 Mustang GT made 315 horsepower but could only manage 24mpg.
“This is Mustang that delivers the power and fuel efficiency customers want,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang’s brand manager, in a press release. “To get 305 horsepower and 31 miles per gallon has never been done before in a production vehicle. In fact this new Mustang could do the entire 500-mile race on one tank of gas.”
The pace car version of the Mustang will make its debut on March 21.
References
1. ’2011 Ford Mustang…’ view
