1994-2004 Mustang Horsepower & Torque Ratings

Last Updated: January 28, 2021

SN95 and New Edge Horsepower Numbers

Mention a Ford Mustang to most people, and words like "fast" and "performance" often arise. This mindset all comes down to what's under the hood of America's favorite pony car. The fourth-generation 'Stang is known as an SN95 Mustang for the updated platform derived from the previous Fox Body generation or as the "New Edge" Mustang due to Ford's then-current design language that added more defined body lines to softer aerodynamic shapes.

Let's explore New Edge Mustang horsepower and torque data for models made from 1994 to 2004. Information in this article is collected from Ford-supplied numbers and online sources. The horsepower and torque figures cited here are based on new, factory-built engines and exhaust systems. Engine outputs can become reduced over time and change due to aftermarket modifications.

If you're looking for more information about the 1994-2004 Mustang, then look no further than our complete breakdown of the SN95 article!

1994-1995 1996 Special Editions Bullitt Mach 1 HP/TQ Become Respectable Specs Table

1995 SN95 Mustang

1994-1995 SN95 Mustang Horsepower And The 5.0L V-8 Engine

The redesigned Mustang was launched for the 1994 model year with the old standby 5.0L V-8 as the top power offering. Despite the new Mustang increasing in weight by 300 pounds, Ford squeezed more output from the engine to keep acceleration the same. V-8 Mustang horsepower during this time was rated at 215 along with 285 lb-ft of torque for the SN95's debut year and 1995. During the same period, Ford offered the SVT Cobra featuring an enhanced 5.0L engine that pushed out 240 hp and the same 285 lb-ft of torque.

1996 SN95 Mustang

1996 Introduces Modular V-8 Power For New Edge Mustang

Imagine McDonald's without the Big Mac or the NFL minus the Super Bowl. Mustang enthusiasts' jaws were stuck in the open position when Ford announced for 1996 that the venerable 5.0L was gone from the car's lineup. V-8 power would now come from the 4.6L 2-valve single overhead camshaft Modular engine. This all-new power plant design represents the latest engine development technology and offers similar power to the 5.0L, but smaller. The 4.6L could also more easily meet emission mandates and provide improved fuel economy.

Through 1997, 2-V Mustang horsepower was rated at 215 with torque at 285 lb-ft. Performance numbers got better for 1998 with 225 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. 1999-2004 Mustang horsepower increases to 260, and 1994-2004 Mustang torque is 302 lb-ft.

A repowered SVT Cobra appears in 1996-1998 with a modified 4-valve dual overhead camshaft 4.6L Modular engine. Here, SN95 Mustang horsepower hits 305 with torque at 300 lb-ft. SVT Cobra output is raised for 1999 to 320 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The SVT Cobra takes a break for the 2000 model year (see below for a discussion of the 2000 SVT Cobra R) and returns for 2001 with the same performance specs from 1999. For 2003-2004, the SVT Cobra gets an impressive performance upgrade when Ford adds a supercharger to the 4.6L DOHC V-8. Output rises to an impressive 390 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

1995 SN95 Mustang

Special Edition Mustangs

New Edge Mustang horsepower receives attention thanks to a series of special editions that go beyond hood decals and rear spoilers. For the fourth-generation Mustang, it begins with the SVT Cobra R in 1995. The original 5.0L Windsor V-8 is modified with new intake manifolds, camshafts, cylinder heads, and fuel injectors for a revised 5.8L displacement with 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. Ford had to use a custom raised hood to accommodate the engine's size. Only 250 Cobra R editions, painted in Crystal White, were made this year.

1995 SN95 Mustang SVT Cobra R

The SVT Cobra R Appears again for the 2000 model year. This time, Ford modifies its truck-based 5.4L Modular V-8 into a potent engine good for 385hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Each engine is hand-built by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT), which uses unique cylinder heads, intake manifold, and camshafts. This Cobra R, a just-legal street race that equals a Corvette Z06 in performance, runs a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds—the fastest Mustang ever at the time. Only 300 Cobra R editions, painted in Performance Red, were made for 2000.

2000 New Edge Mustang SVT Cobra R

2001 New Edge Mustang Bullitt

First Bullitt Mustang Special Edition Is Launched

In 2001, Ford responded to the increasing popularity of the 1968 classic movie Bullitt and Steve McQueen's legendary car chase by introducing a Bullitt special edition Mustang. In tribute to McQueen's Bullitt character driving a 1968 Mustang GT-390 to chase the bad guy's 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, Ford introduces a special edition Mustang with customized body components covered in Highland Green paint. The car is powered by a modified 4.6L V-8 producing 270 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. Engine modifications include an aluminum intake manifold and high-flow mufflers. A total of 5,582 Bullitt special editions are made, with 3,041 in the iconic green. 1,818 were also produced in black and another 723 in True Blue.

2003 New Edge Mustang Mach 1

Ford Brings The Mustang Mach 1 Back To Life

Paying homage to the original, first-generation Mach 1 and building off the Bullitt Mustang's success from two years earlier, Ford launched the 2003 Mach 1 special edition. The unique 4.6L V-8 features a 32-valve twin-cam setup with an aluminum engine block. Mach 1's with the 5-speed manual transmission would redline at a remarkable 6,800 rpm, while automatic transmission versions were limited to a 5,800 rpm redline. Mach 1 Mustang horsepower was rated at 305 with torque output at 320 lb-ft. A similar spec'd Mach 1 carries over for 2004, the SN95's last year.

1995 SN95 Mustang V6

Base Mustang Horsepower And Torque Become Respectable

An often overlooked feature of the fourth generation Mustang is the Essex V-6 base engine. With a focus on robust 8-cylinder power plants, Mustang enthusiasts can forget that the base Fox Body Mustang was a meager 4-cylinder engine. While the Essex 6-cylinder was an option for the first half of Fox Body production, it never exceeded a 120 hp output.

For 1994-1995, base model Mustangs enjoyed 145 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque—output numbers that bested some V-8s from the Fox Body era. Base engine horsepower increases to 150 for 1996-1998. Output numbers increase to 190hp and 220 lb-ft of torque for 1999-2000. In 2001, Ford added charge motion control valves (also known as intake manifold runner control, IMRC) to push 2001-2003 Mustang base horsepower to 193 and Mustang torque to 225 lb-ft.