Our spy photographers have already spotted Ford engineers out testing the company’s new 5.0L ‘Coyote’ V8, but Ford execs have refused to acknowledge the new mill. However, with the new V8 inching towards production ready, one of Ford’s Australian execs has officially spilled the beans on the new powerplant.
In a recent interview with Australia’s Drive, Ford development director Russell Christophers revealed the Blue Oval is indeed readying an all-new 5.0L V8. Dubbed ‘Coyote’, the new mill will essentially replace Ford’s current 4.6L and 5.4L V8s.
Christophers didn’t reveal the new engine’s performance figures – although he did say he had “seen the performance curves and it is a pretty good engine” – but several sources have indicated the 5.0L will crank out at least 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
The Coyote will likely see two applications in the U.S. – the Ford Mustang and F-150. The Mustang’s current top engine – aside from the powerplant found in the GT500 – is a 4.6L unit generating 315 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. A boost all the way up to 400 ponies should give the Mustang enough firepower to take on the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger .
In the F-150, the 5.0L is set to replace Ford’s aging 5.4L. Despite its smaller displacement, the Coyote will trump the 5.4L by 80 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque – all while saving a few MPGs.
Ford has yet to announce when the new V8 will hit the market, but we expect to see it in the 2011 model year.
