With the V8′s of both the Camaro and Challenger far out-pacing the one found under the hood of the 2010 Mustang GT, it’s no surprise that rumors have begun about the return of the 5.0.

Several months ago we reported on a story that Ford’s Australian branch had confirmed a 5.0-liter V8 (code named “Coyote”) was in development.

Now the folks over at Car & Driver have evidence to support the theory that the 5.0 will return for 2011. While out at GingerMan Raceway in Michigan the C&D folks came across Ford engineers testing a more serious Track Pack than the one currently offered by Ford, which included a set of Pirelli P Zero Corsa r-compound tires – a step above the Pirellis currently offered. This led them to surmise that the added grip might be needed due to all the added horsepower.

The Coyote 5.0 V8 is rumored to make as much as 400hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque, a significant increase from the current output of 315h and 325 ft-lbs of torque.

[Source: Car & Driver]