2015 Ford Mustang

The 2015 Mustang will offer a four-cylinder engine, the model's first since 1993--though the new 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four is actually being presented as a performance option, not a fuel-economy special.

Ford says that the base engine will remain a 3.7-liter V-6 that will produce at least 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.The base V-6 model of the 2014 Mustang is still rated at 23 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 31 mpg highway) with the six-speed automatic, and 1 mpg less in every reading with the six-speed manual.

We may see the V-8 versions priced comparatively higher for 2015 than they have been in the past, to skew the mix more toward the more efficient engines.

Ford's only improving the gas mileage because it has to do so for all its cars under the Federal gas-mileage mandate. Which is why it's at least"considering" alternative powertrains--diesel, hybrid, even electric--for Mustangs of the future.We'll take a stab here and suggest that the base V-6 car could reach 25 mpg (21 city, 33 highway) and the EcoBoost will be marginally higher than that.