Chevrolet Camaro V-6 2016 vs Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2016 ( Part 2 )

Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2016

We love the new Mustang. We named the Mustang GT to our 10Best list last year; the Shelby siblings, the GT350 and GT350R, made our list this year. The Mustang we haven’t honored is the EcoBoost model.

We still love the attributes it shares with higher-performance models: the styling; the firm, progressive brake pedal; the tune of its all-independent suspension; its easy, everyday-usable demeanor. But we do not love the engine. We respect it. The turbocharged, direct-injected 2.3-liter four makes ample power. There’s enough juice to push the 3632-pound Mustang from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 5.6 seconds, only a tenth behind the lighter Camaro. Driven hard, the Mustang EcoBoost delivers 20 mpg, compared with the Camaro V-6’s 19 mpg over the same roads. The EcoBoost technically delivers on the two main promises of downsized turbocharged engines compared with larger naturally aspirated lumps: essentially equal performance with at least marginally better fuel economy.

And, as is usually the case with modern turbo engines, this one generates excellent midrange torque. Its peak twist of 320 pound-feet arrives at 2500 rpm. The Camaro V-6 generates 284 pound-feet at 5300 rpm. That makes the EcoBoost Mustang easy to live with. You don’t need to do a great deal of shifting since there’s ready thrust throughout the middle chunk of the rev range. Thing is, we like shifting, especially in performance cars. It’s fun.

But making a satisfying turbo engine is not just about making the requisite power and reducing, as much as possible, turbo lag. This one is sadly lacking in the qualitative aspects. First, it’s not particularly smooth. Get on the throttle and the engine sends waves of vibration through the steering wheel and shifter. And these are not the thrilling vibes sent from, say, the GT350’s V-8. They are rather just lack of refinement with no particular payoff. The vibrations don’t intensify with greater revs in a way that might signify to your brain that the engine is an eager participant in the search for speed. Instead, it’s just flat grumbling.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The same is true of the engine noise. It’s a one-note song, and not a particularly pleasant note at that. This one’s a groaner, always groaning the same groan. Its volume changes in concert with revs, but its pitch never does. There’s not much point in exploring the upper reaches of this engine’s operational envelope. There’s no aural reward for pushing beyond 5500 rpm, where horsepower peaks.

It’s a shame, too, because the Mustang is otherwise great fun to drive. Its shifter feels better than the Camaro’s. And the harder you drive the car, the better and more settled it feels. Source by caranddriver.com

Chevrolet Camaro V-6 2016 vs Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2016 ( Part 3 )

Tag : Chevrolet, Comparing, Sedans