Ford engineers are hard at work to make sure that the new Mustang, which will debut at Detroit auto show in January 2010, is the best pony ever. They have already confirmed that it’ll get a brand-new V6 which is powerful and efficient, but now word got out that there’s also a 5.0 liter V8 variant is in the works as well which has 412 hp.

This engine’s 5.0 badge might be classic, but everything else about it is new and amazing! It features an all-new aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder sleeves and factory-made exhaust headers. It al so has four valves per cylinder for better breathing and is fitted with new high performance pistons, crankshaft, and connecting rods.

The normally aspirated version of this engine develops 412 hp, but the supercharged model which will be used in the Shelby GT500 churns out more than 540 hp. The The Mustang V8 can be had with either a 6R80 automatic transmission or the MT82 six-speed manual.

Ford is also working on the new car’s handling and road behaviors. There’s a Track Pack chassis upgrade which is optional for the V6 model. Now considering the more potent character of the V8, it should come standard for the 5.0 model. Or they can let everything down by using prehistoric suspension again!

via: Autoweek