The new Focus might be garnering most of the Detroit show headlines for Ford, but we couldn't help lingering a while in 'Mustang Alley', the area of the Ford show stand dedicated to the 'original' pony car.
It's the first time we've seen the 2011 car, which is most notable for the new 5.0 badges behind the wheelarches, and more importantly for the new 412hp V8 that lurks beneath its bonnet.
According to Ford, many of the engineers on the 5.0 development team have worked in the Engine and Electrical Engineering Building at the Dearborn, Michigan, product development centre. For years they walked past the original 5.0-liter V8 Coyote Indy racing engine on display in the lobby, continually inspired by its mix of heritage, high technology and horsepower:
"The powertrain development community had long wanted to develop a new 5.0-liter powertrain, with strategic discussions beginning in 2000," the company says.
"Development test engines and benchmarks included 5.0-liter blocks, employing different bore and stroke measurements, GT500 four-valve-per-cylinder heads and cams, various intake manifold runner configurations, differing compression ratios and a deep-sump oil pan. The team also evaluated Ford Racing's 5.0-liter "Cammer" V-8 crate engine for 'transferable best practices'." Although they don't say whether they found any...
Either way, the results are impressive enough - with the 412hp figure matched by 390lb ft of torque and 25mpg promised on the highway.
Other mods for the new model year include retuned electric power steering and enhanced suspension, while a Brembo brake package with larger rotors and calipers is offered for enthusiasts.
Ford says it's going to put one of the 5.0 litre cars on the UK press fleet later this year - so we are looking forward to telling you how well it goes!