2015 Ford Mustang REVEALED (official pics)

[SEVEN-OH JOE]

Originally Posted by crysalis_01

Sarcastic as you may be, it's worth pointing out, the I4T's performance varient will most likely be handled by Ford's European Team RS and not SVT. SVT will helm the hi-po V8 trims.

No sarcasm, here, at all in that post. I'm a former GN owner, when GNs were new. You don't need to "teach" me about small displacement/BIG power/GOOD economy. I'm in the choir. And I think the Camaro needs to consider a Turbo-4 rather than building another RWD platform like the 130.

Kudos to Ford for the Turbo-4.

[JAZ]

Originally Posted by Reincarnated

More use of aluminum for one. I know the front fenders are now aluminum, as well as a lot of the suspension components. (including the new IRS) With so much aluminum used in the IRS, it might not be as heavy as you think. It remains to be seen where other light weight materials are used....
Furthermore, it was mentioned that Ford has designed and optimized the S550 chassis with weight reduction and ultra high steel strength in mind. It's widely reported that Ford is working with Boron steel now, and that stuff is amazing...
I know Ford worked really hard looking at every area of the car to cut weight, and have made it a priority to lose weight on all it's car's across the board. I seriously doubt that they are gonna come out with a heavier Mustang than the S197 and I think there are still quite a few surprises left.

Good analysis. I suspect you are right about more surprises.

I wonder why Ford wouldn't announce the weight of the new Mustang or the performance numbers for the motors. It doesn't make sense that they don't know final numbers yet, nor that they are concerned that they missed their targets.

I also don't think that they are trying to keep Team Camaro in the dark for as long as possible. It's only 4 months before ordering begins when full specs will need to be published.

The only thing I can figure is that Ford's big dog, the F150 does not want the Mustang to steal any of it's thunder when it announces it's promised weight reduction and performance gains in a few weeks.

We should see the Mustang numbers shortly after the big dog speaks.

[EnlighteningYou]

Originally Posted by JAZ

Good analysis. I suspect you are right about more surprises. I wonder why Ford wouldn't announce the weight of the new Mustang or the performance numbers for the motors. It doesn't make sense that they don't know final numbers yet, nor that they are concerned that they missed their targets. I also don't think that they are trying to keep Team Camaro in the dark for as long as possible. It's only 4 months before ordering begins when full specs will need to be published. The only thing I can figure is that Ford's big dog, the F150 does not want the Mustang to steal any of it's thunder when it announces it's promised weight reduction and performance gains in a few weeks. We should see the Mustang numbers shortly after the big dog speaks.

What if they're just not done testing the final production version?

[Stingray]

Originally Posted by JAZ

Good analysis. I suspect you are right about more surprises.

I wonder why Ford wouldn't announce the weight of the new Mustang or the performance numbers for the motors. It doesn't make sense that they don't know final numbers yet, nor that they are concerned that they missed their targets.

I also don't think that they are trying to keep Team Camaro in the dark for as long as possible. It's only 4 months before ordering begins when full specs will need to be published.

The only thing I can figure is that Ford's big dog, the F150 does not want the Mustang to steal any of it's thunder when it announces it's promised weight reduction and performance gains in a few weeks.

We should see the Mustang numbers shortly after the big dog speaks.

In regards to not prematurely releasing performance numbers and body weight, GM did the same with the C7 when it was revealed... GM waited to release (from Jan. to summer) until final specs were official. GM is also doing the same with the Z/28... we don't know the actual power numbers yet. So it makes perfect sense (to GM and engineers) for a number of reasons we're not privy to.... the consumers (you, us) will know sooner or later when the manufacturers are ready to broadcast publicly.

Originally Posted by EnlighteningYou

What if they're just not done testing the final production version?

Agree. This is another very highly probable reason.

So no need for assumptions... just wait it out.

[72MachOne99GT]

Originally Posted by SEVEN-OH JOE

Thanks for your post-count additions. You're a valued member of our community, and your participation is always welcomed. (Note - same color as your stang!)

You're very welcome. My post count here is my top priority, not engaging in discussion with the other side.

You guys think ford will leave the 4cylinder model to RS?

I'd be surprised if they had a Mustang RS actually. Not that it wouldn't be a fun car (both the Focus and Fiesta have been highly praised) but it just doesn't sound right.

[Thrillz]

I wish Ford had given the design team the following rules to build the next generation mustang

1. be as creative as you like as long as the design is realistic that can be built
2. take risks don't be conservative.

Here is another example of what kind of design i was hoping they had taken the next generation mustang in.

[crysalis_01]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

You're very welcome. My post count here is my top priority, not engaging in discussion with the other side.

You guys think ford will leave the 4cylinder model to RS?

I'd be surprised if they had a Mustang RS actually. Not that it wouldn't be a fun car (both the Focus and Fiesta have been highly praised) but it just doesn't sound right.

Europe only performance package? Sort of like the SVT Focus and SVT Contour of old. Team RS did all the work on those but when they came state side all we did was use their tweeked engines. Though with "One Ford" being a thing, we actually get the exact same car, much like the ST cars are the same, save for the door count.

Either way I'm not saying it'll be a Mustang RS or ST, per say. Only that Team RS seems like a better fit for developing the performance oriented 2.3T than SVT.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Reincarnated

So I keep hearing comment's that the new Mustang looks like pretty much every car out there. The Honda Accord is one I hear a lot so I thought I would post up this comparison of the two. As you can see they look absolutely nothing alike. In fact, there is no resemblence at all. The only thing that even remotely looks similar is the rear quarter window.



If that little window on the back is what's driving those comments than I guess the C7 looks like an Accord as well because it has the same shaped window.



As for the look's like Fusion comment's. Sure they share a few design elements in the grill and what not, but other than that, there is no mistaking the two. From your regular car enthusiast to your average joe, the S550 will easily be indentified as a Mustang.







Lastly, the comment's about the rear end are kind of confusing to me. I get that it might not be everyone's taste, but I don't see how anyone can say it's ugly... In fact, I think it's the best looking rear end on a Mustang to date, and by far the best looking rear end out of the Challenger and the Camaro. It has sort of an exotic mean look to it all the while still screaming Mustang.

Why did you post the rear of a Charger instead of a Challenger? The look COMPLETELY different.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Reincarnated

Oops...My bad. Can't believe the whole time doing that post and looking at the pictures I didn't even catch that I was posting the wrong car. Lol!

For good measure though...

the new Mustang looks good, but even after all these years the Challenger still looks AT LEAST as good as the 15 Mustang. Same with most 10-13 Camaros.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by SEVEN-OH JOE

And I think the Camaro needs to consider a Turbo-4 rather than building another RWD platform like the 130.

Kudos to Ford for the Turbo-4.

Before even thinking about a turbo-4, some weight has to come out of the car, and starting with a more "right-sized" chassis gets you on the right path for that. While they're at it, there are a couple of rear suspension details that could and probably should be cleaned up a bit.

About Ford's turbo-4 - it came in considerably stronger than I'd have ever guessed it would from only 2.3L (based on the turbo-4 in our Subie Legacy's turbo 2.5L and its drivability). I was thinking 275-ish HP & torque at introduction tops, and maybe 10 more later.


Norm

[SEVEN-OH JOE]

Aluminum fenders, alone, will save a handful of pounds. There's only so much aluminum/magnesium/hss content that a mid-$20s-and-up platform can utilize without seriously affecting co$t$, no matter where that material is placed.

The key to a seriously dieted platform, utilizing all manner of updated materials and technology, is its utilization as more than just an overly large world-wide sporty car. The true savior for the program will be found if/when a RWD-based ATS/3-Series/C-Class/IS 4-dr LINCOLN arrives, sold at higher price points with margins that allow more exotic measures (read: serious diet) that can then trickle down to the more plebeian version(s).

Have we seen the "ultimate" S550 version, cunningly disguised as a Mustang? I suspect not. Will there be synergies from a Lincoln-intended program? Yes, indeedie. And it's an indictment of Ford that something akin an "S550 Lincoln" hasn't been in the market place already. God knows, Lincoln NEEDS such a car!

Norm, my reference to a "Camaro Turbo-4" is a request for the soon-coming 6th-Gen Camaro, NOT the current approaching-extinction Gen-5. Is a Gen-6 Camaro Turbo-4 do-able? Of course it is. In fact it's pretty much already here. It's the Cadillac ATS, offered thusly, with economy AND performance numbers somewhat better than the V6 version.

However, internal rationale will play a hand in how THIS version can/will play out.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by SEVEN-OH JOE

Aluminum fenders, alone, will save a handful of pounds. There's only so much aluminum/magnesium/hss content that a mid-$20s-and-up platform can utilize without seriously affecting co$t$, no matter where that material is placed.

The key to a seriously dieted platform, utilizing all manner of updated materials and technology, is its utilization as more than just an overly large world-wide sporty car. The true savior for the program will be found if/when a RWD-based ATS/3-Series/C-Class/IS 4-dr LINCOLN arrives, sold at higher price points with margins that allow more exotic measures (read: serious diet) that can then trickle down to the more plebeian version(s).

Have we seen the "ultimate" S550 version, cunningly disguised as a Mustang? I suspect not. Will there be synergies from a Lincoln-intended program? Yes, indeedie. And it's an indictment of Ford that something akin an "S550 Lincoln" hasn't been in the market place already. God knows, Lincoln NEEDS such a car!

Norm, my reference to a "Camaro Turbo-4" is a request for the soon-coming 6th-Gen Camaro, NOT the current approaching-extinction Gen-5. Is a Gen-6 Camaro Turbo-4 do-able? Of course it is. In fact it's pretty much already here. It's the Cadillac ATS, offered thusly, with economy AND performance numbers somewhat better than the V6 version.

However, internal rationale will play a hand in how THIS version can/will play out.

I completely agree with you. Lincoln needs to get their hands on this platform for HALO car. They need something to differentiate themselves from just being dolled up Fords

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Before even thinking about a turbo-4, some weight has to come out of the car, and starting with a more "right-sized" chassis gets you on the right path for that. While they're at it, there are a couple of rear suspension details that could and probably should be cleaned up a bit.

About Ford's turbo-4 - it came in considerably stronger than I'd have ever guessed it would from only 2.3L (based on the turbo-4 in our Subie Legacy's turbo 2.5L and its drivability). I was thinking 275-ish HP & torque at introduction tops, and maybe 10 more later.


Norm

Word is that the Mustang didn't lose much, if any weight. My guess is that their turbo 4 will come in around the 3,400ish lb range. Its pretty much a certainty that the next Camaro will be on the Alpha chasis, which is basically that same weight in the Cadillac ATS with its turbo 4 cylinder engine. In fact, I wouldn't doubt if the Camaro turbo 4 could come in weight in the mid to upper 3,300 lb range.

So with that in mind, there are no worries about the next Camaro losing the needed weight, unless they end up putting the car on the long wheel base version of alpha...then it would weigh more than what I said above.

I had no doubts at all that Ford would give the turbo 4 in the Mustang at least 300 HP. I'm betting when final numbers are released we'll see at least 310HP and 310 to 320TQ. For months now we've known the 4 cylinder would be the optional engine, and I'm sure the turbo is a more expensive engine than the V6 so why on earth would you give it less power, but at a higher price than the V6? The only advantage would be slighly better MPGs, but it would never sell. Instead, the only way is to make it the optional engine, and give it more power than the V6 to make it appealing. Ford said they are only offering the V6 so they can keep a nice low entry point price.

I think Chevrolet may end up doing the same in the next gen Camaro. The one difference I can see that may change that is the power and efficency of the next gen V6 engines they are developing. If the next gen V6s have 340+ HP, and offer fuel saving technology like cylinder shut off in addition to what they already have (direct injection, cam phasing, etc.) they may be able to market that engine as a competitor to the Mustangs V6 and turbo 4 as it will make considerably more HP than those two engines and good MPG. But theres no way it will have as much TQ, and especially not down low in the powerband like the turbo 4 so that will always be a disadvantage.

I can't wait to see how it all plays out.

[EnlighteningYou]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

Word is that the Mustang didn't lose much, if any weight.

Who's word is that? I've been reading just the opposite. any links I can check out?