To Ford Mustang fans, 5.0 means a lot, and the new 2011 5.0-liter V8 Mustang will deliver 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, company officials said on Thursday. The information was supposed to be embargoed until Dec. 28, but news leaked out shortly after the announcement in Dearborn, Mich.

The new 5.0-liter Mustang produces 83 hp per liter yet will return 25 mpg, according to Ford marketing boss Jim Farley. The 5.0-liter Mustang’s main competitors are the Chevrolet Camaro SS, rated at 426 hp, and the Dodge Challenger SRT8, which makes 425 hp. Of course, the top-of-the-line Shelby GT500 and its supercharged V8 is rated at 540 hp.

What makes the brand-new V8 engine powering the ’Stang so potent is how engineers were able to allow the engine to breathe. All-new heads sit atop an all-new aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder sleeves. The wide distance between the heads allows for the intake ports to sit vertically on top of the engine. The engine features four valves per cylinder and twin independent variable valve timing. Tuned exhaust headers eliminate the need for aftermarket headers to let the engine breath better. Inside the engine are a forged-steel full counterweight crankshaft and four-bolt main bearings and high-performance pistons and connecting rods. Peak horsepower is reached at 6,500 rpm.

The new 5.0-liter Mustangs can be fitted with either the 6R80 automatic transmission or the MT82 six-speed manual.

The pony car will make its official debut at the Detroit auto show in January.