2015 Mustang to Shed 400lbs (Edmunds)

[Stew]

Originally Posted by crysalis_01

Maybe the fact that the GM trucks are already lighter than the F-series means they aren't even trying to lighten them at all...yet. Which for the time being is ok for them, I guess. But they will also do the same thing as Ford is now sooner than later.

Slightly lighter maybe, but nothing like 700 pounds lighter......

[KMPrenger]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Camaro shrink somewhat and I whole heartedly think that it will, but I don't think I want to see it shrink down to the size they are predicting for this next Mustang either.

Theres just no way the next gen Camaro is going to be in the 3,100 to 3,200 range, but if they can at least get the base car in the low to mid 3,300lb range then I'll be a happy camper. Anything less than that without big downsizing and I'll be ecstatic.

Here are my predictions:

2015 Mustang GT to weigh somewhere around 3,350 to 3,450 lbs.
2016 Camaro SS to weigh somewhere around 3,500 to 3,600 lbs.

With 450HP/450TQ on tap for these cars they will be insane performers, but once again the Mustang could be slightly better in the 1/4 mile unless it has problems hooking up compared to the SS.

I don't see the Camaro having the advantage on the track any longer either.

So past that it comes down to looks. Which will look better. Whichever looks better will be the winner.

[NASTY99Z28]

Because the mustang has no big brother holding it back it will beat the CAMARO in a straight line and now possibly on the the tracks since it will be lighter with irs. The next gt will be close to a base c7 in performance so just think àbout the next fi-mustang....

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by camaro-dreamer

A set of golf clubs routinely fits into the trunk of my mustang. I am not sure why you are having a problem.

I've not negotiated two sets in a Mustang but its wasn't my car. My wife's ATS will accommodate two with some gymnastics.

If you recall I posted the video of my CTF and was accused of having the rear seat down. LOL

But accommodating luggage and golf clubs are important for some. I'm one of them. I've taken a lot of long trips in Corvettes with two sets of clubs and luggage. Not something you can do in lot of sports/sporty cars.

I'm guessing with these rumored reductions, this will be significantly more difficult than the current Mustang or Camaro.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

Originally Posted by oklapike

Exactly why I don't buy it. I really don't think that Mustang can pull that kind of weight reduction off (especially when they're going to an IRS) without adding significant cost.

About a 20% decrease in size. It could happen, but we're talking about a much smaller car.

Not really buying the whole "we get there by using aluminum, better welds, and strengthening the car by using less material" bullshit though.

[camaro-dreamer]

Originally Posted by Number 3

I've not negotiated two sets in a Mustang but its wasn't my car. My wife's ATS will accommodate two with some gymnastics.

If you recall I posted the video of my CTF and was accused of having the rear seat down. LOL

But accommodating luggage and golf clubs are important for some. I'm one of them. I've taken a lot of long trips in Corvettes with two sets of clubs and luggage. Not something you can do in lot of sports/sporty cars.

I'm guessing with these rumored reductions, this will be significantly more difficult than the current Mustang or Camaro.

I would guess that you are probably right. I have not tried to fit two sets in my trunk. On a side note, today is the first time I have actually been up close to an ATS. I saw several different configurations of the car at the web.com golf tournament today including a black ATS with black concave wheels. Your wife has a very nice car indeed.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by camaro-dreamer

I would guess that you are probably right. I have not tried to fit two sets in my trunk. On a side note, today is the first time I have actually been up close to an ATS. I saw several different configurations of the car at the web.com golf tournament today including a black ATS with black concave wheels. Your wife has a very nice car indeed.

It drives nice but it has a few packaging quirks. Trunk space is one of the them. The Cruze it replaced could easily take our 2 golf bags and luggage for vacation.

But for the mass reduction claimed in this report, I firmly believe that if you simply took the length and width of a current Mustang and downsized it to the 16 inches shorter and 6.5 inches narrower and multiplied that ratio you would get close to 400 pounds. Just making it smaller will reduce weight.

Look at the Z/28. They eliminated everything but the kitchen sink and only saved 100 pounds.

So what technologically can they do above down sizing?

Aluminum doors. GM is introducing those on the upcoming CTS. I recall that 4 aluminum doors saves 100 pounds.

Aluminum hood is already on the Camaro. On the current Mustang? I have no idea, but that could save another chunk.

Aluminum decklid? That would be even more. But those are a bit harder. GM had aluminum decklids on the STS and liftgates on the old Blazer and Tahoe.

Aluminum fenders? Could do that. But that is also hard.

All in, that aluminum would (farmers math here mind you) save 200 pounds or so but cost you at least a few grand.

I only suggest aluminum as that is what Ford is supposedly doing in the F150 to get a huge amount weight out. Again RUMORs.

But GM has done that and then some.

While I was there we did GM's first CF hood on the C6 Z06 LeMans Special Edition. Carbon fenders, wheel hours and floor panels for the Z06 and the Aluminum frame. There is no shortage of technologies to get mass out of a vehicle. They just generally cost big money.

But seriously, guys..........if Ford takes the Mustang from 188.5 length and 73.9 width to 172.5 length and 67.4 width that would make the Mustang the same size as the Fiesta. Fiesta is 173.5 length by 67.8 in width.

Does anyone worry about a Mustang that is now that size? And frankly I have no clue how you package a 5.0 Coyote DOHC engine in a car that size. And I can assure you a car that size won't have 295 tires on it or anything bigger than a 17" wheel to actually match that engine.

Can they do it? Sure. I am just in disbelief that they would make the Mustang that small.

Also keep in mind that the camoed test mules we've seen pics of are a current Mustang. You don't have a test mule that is a different size and weight than the car you are working on. Now can you disguise the actual size of a car? Yes you can. Dave Hill had special camo designed to make the C6 look like the size of the C5 so no one could tell the amount of front and rear overhang that were removed.

So as usual, it's fun to discuss and speculate.

[TheReaper]

Originally Posted by Number 3

It drives nice but it has a few packaging quirks. Trunk space is one of the them. The Cruze it replaced could easily take our 2 golf bags and luggage for vacation.

But for the mass reduction claimed in this report, I firmly believe that if you simply took the length and width of a current Mustang and downsized it to the 16 inches shorter and 6.5 inches narrower and multiplied that ratio you would get close to 400 pounds. Just making it smaller will reduce weight.

Look at the Z/28. They eliminated everything but the kitchen sink and only saved 100 pounds.

So what technologically can they do above down sizing?

Aluminum doors. GM is introducing those on the upcoming CTS. I recall that 4 aluminum doors saves 100 pounds.

Aluminum hood is already on the Camaro. On the current Mustang? I have no idea, but that could save another chunk.

Aluminum decklid? That would be even more. But those are a bit harder. GM had aluminum decklids on the STS and liftgates on the old Blazer and Tahoe.

Aluminum fenders? Could do that. But that is also hard.

All in, that aluminum would (farmers math here mind you) save 200 pounds or so but cost you at least a few grand.

I only suggest aluminum as that is what Ford is supposedly doing in the F150 to get a huge amount weight out. Again RUMORs.

But GM has done that and then some.

While I was there we did GM's first CF hood on the C6 Z06 LeMans Special Edition. Carbon fenders, wheel hours and floor panels for the Z06 and the Aluminum frame. There is no shortage of technologies to get mass out of a vehicle. They just generally cost big money.

But seriously, guys..........if Ford takes the Mustang from 188.5 length and 73.9 width to 172.5 length and 67.4 width that would make the Mustang the same size as the Fiesta. Fiesta is 173.5 length by 67.8 in width.

Does anyone worry about a Mustang that is now that size? And frankly I have no clue how you package a 5.0 Coyote DOHC engine in a car that size. And I can assure you a car that size won't have 295 tires on it or anything bigger than a 17" wheel to actually match that engine.

Can they do it? Sure. I am just in disbelief that they would make the Mustang that small.

Also keep in mind that the camoed test mules we've seen pics of are a current Mustang. You don't have a test mule that is a different size and weight than the car you are working on. Now can you disguise the actual size of a car? Yes you can. Dave Hill had special camo designed to make the C6 look like the size of the C5 so no one could tell the amount of front and rear overhang that were removed.

So as usual, it's fun to discuss and speculate.

Aluminum hoods since 2005.

[Q'smuscle]

Ford fiesta yikes!

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by TheReaper

Aluminum hoods since 2005.

Thanks! Fairly common but wasn't sure about the Mustang.

Of course I could have looked if up but too many folks here already know!!!

[crysalis_01]

I just realized that a comment I made earlier was erroneous. When I stated that Ford would have to sacrifice some cargo room for a shorter vehicle (less rear overhang); I forgot to take into account of the little "side effect" of switching to a CBIRS, that is, there will be no rear damper tower. So even if the trunk looses a few inches of depth it'll gain area in width, with the omission of the towers, and more than likely break even in cu ft measure.

[PYROLYSIS]

There is also an aluminum trunk lid for all 2014 Camaros.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Number 3

But seriously, guys..........if Ford takes the Mustang from 188.5 length and 73.9 width to 172.5 length and 67.4 width that would make the Mustang the same size as the Fiesta. Fiesta is 173.5 length by 67.8 in width.

Does anyone worry about a Mustang that is now that size? And frankly I have no clue how you package a 5.0 Coyote DOHC engine in a car that size. And I can assure you a car that size won't have 295 tires on it or anything bigger than a 17" wheel to actually match that engine.

Can they do it? Sure. I am just in disbelief that they would make the Mustang that small..

I kind of agree with you, and I'll say I'm not really convinced they shrunk the Mustang THAT much or lost THAT much weight. I just like to assume its true (not actually believe its true) and then speculate on the kind of performance that it could produce.

That said, I do believe the car will shrink some and lose a bit of weight....how much? Who knows.

[crysalis_01]

Some other forums are stating that Edmund's is getting this by compairing the weight of the current GT tothe new EB4 model. So the actual weight loss when compaiting like trim levels will be in the 250-300lb range.