The 2011 Ford Mustang will have a 5.0 liter V8. This will be the first time since 1995 that a Mustang will wear the 5.0 badge. In addition to the 5.0’s nostalgic appeal, it will pack an impressive 412-horsepower, according to Autoblog. The Mustang’s 412-hp and 390-ft-lbs of torque will bring it into level competition with the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro.

The current 4.6 liter Mustang GT is overshadowed by its much more powerful competitors, the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro, which come with 372 and 426-hp. The 2010 Mustang only has 315-hp. The 2011 Mustang GT’s 5.0 liter V8 will bring the original pony car back into competition.

When Ford discontinued the 5.0 liter V8 engine for the 1996 Mustang in favor of the 4.6 liter V8, pony car fans cried foul. The new Mustang was not only heavier than the outgoing foxbody, but the engine had less potential for aftermarket enhancements. That, coupled with the fact that the Chevy Camaro had a much more powerful 5.7 liter V8, made it look like the Mustang was designed for the Vanilla Ice crowd instead of real enthusiasts.

It turned out that Ford made a wise choice moving the Mustang toward the middle, and the Camaro, along with its twin, the Pontiac Firebird, was canceled due to slow sales in 2002. With the Camaro and Challenger back in the fray, Ford has decided to do the opposite of what worked in the 90’s and join the horsepower battle.