I was just reading about the 2015 Mustang (yeah..they are planning it now) in the Oct 2011 Motor Trend.
It’s going to look great with a lower angled windshield and it will be lighter, but it will begin to lose it’s muscle car images, at least
underneath.
From the Motor Trend web site. 2-15 Mustang
The live axle will be gone, replaced with an independent rear suspension. Not really what you want to take to the track. There was talk that the live axle might live on in factory drag packs, but the tooling would be expensive and perhaps not cost-effective. We’ll see what actually happens.
Ford Live Axel
Independent Suspension.
But this is not focus of this blog entry. What I really want to mention was a side bar in the article. It is entitled “Icons on An Icon” “What should the next Mustang be?” Those interviewed were Jack Tenack who was a designer for Ford and global design vice president ( He actually drew the first proposal for the 1965 Mustang); Chris Theodore who was chief of Ford Motor Company’s North American product development (he left after a disagreement over the
suspension for the 2005 Mustang with Phil Martens); Tom Gale who had nothing to do with Ford at all, he was Chrysler design chief (now retired).
Generally Mr. Tenack stayed true to form, basically wanting small changes to the next issue of the Mustang, reinforcing the muscle car
image. He thinks all-wheel drive should be added as an option…that’s not horrible.
Mr.Theodore wants the new Mustang to have a 4 cyclinder…WHAT??? Yeah, get this, he’s like the V8 engines reserved for ‘specialty models”…can you say …hiss…boo??? “Hey, the 70’s called they want their paradigm back!!” Of course he led the charge to replace the live axle.
Mr. Gale thinks that we need to copy Europe and thinks the Mustang needs to be smaller. He says the Camaro is more similar to is predecessor then the Mustang is to its predecessor.
Drop me your thoughts. No V8? Live axle? Smaller ‘Stang?
Thanks for reading.
Tim
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Admit it Tim. Your Vette gets what? 28mpg on the highway. You got not gas guzzeler. But it will snort a bit on the track….
Rated 26 and 17…I can’t get 17 around town….because I drive it like I just stole it.
But my ’70 Stang knocks back the liters….I get about 10 gallons to the mile …LOL!
That’s what I’m talking about!!!
muscle cars should be gas guzzling beasts. that is all.
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tbirdsps has just posted in the Average Guy’s Car Restoration forum of ArmedForcesCarClub Forums under the title of 2015 Mustang – No V8?!!!.
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I think the reality is that Ford just wants to offer options. There are several Ford engines with great technology and I think they should offer them. I think the Coyote 5.0 is fantastic. The new 3.7 V6 is fantastic. By offering more choices they will be able to sell more. A turbo 4 would be great for autocross etc. Much lighter on the front will balance the car a bit better. The N/A 3.7 has over 300 hp. If they put the Eco-tech 3.5 twin turbo six in it actually comes close to the 5.0 power.
It’s all about choice and consider the 5.0 gets 29mpg highway. It’s not going anywhere.
Plus, after owning my 92 LX Tbird for 13 years I sure like the IRS so adding IRS to the Mustang can only be a plus.
Simply more choices and it’s a good thing.
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The American v-8 is dying… Again…
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AAAHHHH The Mustang too!!?? Stupid damn hippies and their fuel efficiency! :bhaw:
They are doing the same thing to the Corvette in 2013! Except its a TT-V6. http://carguideblog.com/7206/twinturbo-v6-corvette-arrive-2013/
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I wouldn’t buy one! Has to be at least a 5.0!
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Ah! NO! THE HORROR!! Unless there is a special SVO turbo 4 banger option, there should never be another 4 cylinder mustang….ever…..like……EVER
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With the Ecotec engines who needs a V8. I agree that the V8s be reserved for the special models. If Mustang gets the twin turbo V6 it makes the 5.0 almost moot. I like sixes but they sure don’t sound like a V8. Another plus for the Mustang is the lighter weight makes it handle a whole lot better. My low horspower 3.8 V6 in the Tbird loves the twisties. With IRS it handles great for a 3,600 lb car. To me the Camaro’s are way too big. challengers too. They make my Tbird seem small.
As long as the option sheet still contains a V8 box bring on the fours and sixes. Drive a 2011 V6 Mustang, you’ll like it.
Hey Steve. I can handle the V6. My Mustang started life as a straight 6 with 9.1:1 compression. But a 4 cylinder?? If this comes to be I hope V8 is a check box for all versions not just the special vehicles…Remember the super snake..they were selling $30k over msrp.
There is a market for four cylinder Mustangs but the sixes are sweet! If they go with the Ecotec six it’s got 367 hourse power now. Can you imagine what 4 more years will result in? 420 hp?
The fours have 240 hourse.
I have faith in the Blue Oval in that they will not repeat the “Mustang II” mistakes of the past. As long as the 5.0V8s keep flying off the shelf, the Mustang will retain them.
History does tend to repeat itself, but hopefully the 4 cylinder Mustang II won’t be repeated.
Having said that, I was very impressed with the 2011 Mustang 305HP V6. If they could make that car sound like a V8, I would be totally happy with it. In fact, I am starting to see ‘lightly used’ 2011 Mustang Convertibles returned from fleet with 20K miles, leather, 305HP V6 all for under $20K. Maybe the LeBaron needs retirement now?
No retirement for the LeBaron….refresh it with a 440 six pack…yeaH!!!! I might even consider buying it from you then!!!!