Ford Europe Drops Mustang EcoBoost Four-Pot Due To Low Sales, V8 Models Live On

[cawimmer430]

 




Ford Europe Drops Mustang EcoBoost Four-Pot Due To Low Sales, V8 Models Live On

We reached out to Ford of Europe which confirmed that the Mustang EcoBoost was officially retired from the continent at the end of 2020. "Ford discontinued the Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost across Europe at the end of last year", a spokesperson told CarScoops.

We also asked the Blue Oval's US branch whether the decision to drop the Mustang four-pot from Europe will affect the model in North America.

"I cannot comment on future product, but we just launched the 2021 model year Mustang lineup, and the EcoBoost offering remains unchanged from the previous model year, as it continues to be an important part of our pony-car lineup that customers love", a representative told us. [Update: 03/05/2021]


-Original story follows below-

The sixth generation Ford Mustang entered production in 2014, and with it came a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.

Used by the previous Focus RS and then by the latest Focus ST, albeit with less power, the mill made the pony car more affordable. However, Ford decided to drop it altogether from European markets.

Discovered by Autocar, the quiet demise of the Mustang EcoBoost was reportedly tied to low demand for the model, which accounted for only 15 percent of Mustang sales in the United Kingdom since its arrival in 2015.

"The latest Mustang coupe range is V8-only, reflecting customer preference and prior low demand for the 2.3 four-cylinder at 15 percent of sales", a spokesperson told Autocar. "Engineering resource has to be prioritized across all car models, balancing their popularity, emissions compliance and CO2."

The Mustang EcoBoost is no longer listed on Ford's official websites in Germany, Italy, Spain and France either, and it might have been retired from other European countries too. The 2021 Mustang GT starts at £41,930 ($58,537) in the UK, around £10,000 ($13,961) more than the axed entry-level EcoBoost, and the Mustang Mach 1 has a recommended retail price of £52,930 ($73,894).

The Mustang EcoBoost remains on sale in the United States, in the Fastback, Premium Fastback and Convertible. The 2.3-liter four-banger is linked to a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission and pumps out 310 HP and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque, whereas the 5.0-liter V8 in the GT is good for 460 HP and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm).

Pricing for the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback starts at $27,155, while the EcoBoost Convertible has an MSRP of $32,655. The GT Fastback will set buyers back at least $36,120 and the Mach 1 is listed from $52,720.


Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2021/03/ford-europe-drops-mustang-ecoboost-four-pot-due-to-low-sales-v8-models-live-on/

[veeman]

It's a completely different market.  A lot of people use the Mustang as a daily driver in the U.S. whereas in Europe it's probably a weekend toy for wealthy guys. 

[CaminoRacer]

It's a completely different market.  A lot of people use the Mustang as a daily driver in the U.S. whereas in Europe it's probably a weekend toy for wealthy guys. 

Yup. Why get a 4 cylinder Mustang in Europe? Buyers want the full american pony car experience, and that means V8

[MX793]

It's a completely different market.  A lot of people use the Mustang as a daily driver in the U.S. whereas in Europe it's probably a weekend toy for wealthy guys. 

Ford also sells a ton of Ecoboost models to rental fleets in America.

[Laconian]

Ford also sells a ton of Ecoboost models to rental fleets in America.

IMO the Mustang is poorly suited for European needs so the remaining audience is more niche/hardcore. The Mustang does fine on wide and straight American roads.