There has never been much reason to trouble yourself over a V6 Mustang, because, well, they're a pretty slow, unrefined lot. But the transplant of Ford's 3.7-liter V6 into the 2011 Ford Mustang should make quite a difference and not just because of the new dual exhaust.

The V6 Mustang you'll see at next week's 2009 LA Auto Show has an all-aluminum, 3731cc (227-cid) engine with a 10.5:1 compression ratio, 4 valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side. That's good for 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm (an increase of 95 hp) and 280 pound-feet at 4,250 rpm (an increase of 40 lb-ft). And you can have the new engine with a manual or automatic — six forward gears each.

Finally. Enough torque for a decent burnout. The 2011 Mustang V6 goes on understanding in the spring. Oh, it's the 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 that interests you? Ford's keeping that one under its corporate hat for another couple weeks.

First Look: 2011 Ford Mustang V6