JUST IN: All-new 2015 Mustang.

[grambles423]

A 2.3t won't be lighter than the v6. Thanks to intercooler and all the other turbo crap

You'd be surprised. Especially since half of that is all plastic.

 

[maxtdi]

I would be given that they are all based on the same 10 year old Mazda design...:laugh:

 

[PetrolHead]

Multi link will provide a nice size of that plus the 2.3. I would say from that alone you're looking at 150lbs. Where 250 extra pounds comes from...it would have to be in the body. Which CAN be done. We dropped 254lbs off the MDX off the frame alone, not accounting for engine and other bits.

That all without using Aluminum.

Yep, the multi-link will provide the most weight savings, interesting on the MDX. That's a pretty massive vehicle though. There's hope then. We're really just speculating.

You'd be surprised. Especially since half of that is all plastic.

This

 

[grambles423]

I would be given that they are all based on the same 10 year old Mazda design...:laugh:

HA! And that's the underlying point. Most OEMs resist THAT much change so it could very well be a dinosaur engine with some slightly new features. Could just be a 2.3L Duratec based out of the older Focus and Ranger

Yep, the multi-link will provide the most weight savings, interesting on the MDX. That's a pretty massive vehicle though. There's hope then. We're really just speculating.

Well...there's speculating, then there's experience. I'm just sharing mostly because we had to design the MDX with weight in mind due to the new engine specs, CAFE restrictions....etc. etc. It was an upbringing. ESPECIALLY without aluminum.

 

[PetrolHead]

Well...there's speculating, then there's experience. I'm just sharing mostly because we had to design the MDX with weight in mind due to the new engine specs, CAFE restrictions....etc. etc. It was an upbringing. ESPECIALLY without aluminum.

Oh, I meant speculating that it's not losing much weight. I don't doubt it's possible to shed weight from a platform without the use of aluminum or other lightweight materials...it's all but required to comply with CAFE regulations since engines are only getting so fuel efficient, weight savings is critical.

 

[grambles423]

Oh, I meant speculating that it's not losing much weight. I don't doubt it's possible to shed weight from a platform without the use of aluminum or other lightweight materials...it's all but required to comply with CAFE regulations since engines are only getting so fuel efficient, weight savings is critical.

Oh ok. Make's sense. My speculation, or question, would be.....does Ford have the know how and/or willingness to evolve the platform using technology its not used to. Much like the Japanese, most American companies do not like to jump onto new technology with a "higher" volume selling vehicle. (I assume Mustang is considered a medium to high volume). They leave the new stuff to low volume items (Corvette...etc)

 

[PetrolHead]

Oh ok. Make's sense. My speculation, or question, would be.....does Ford have the know how and/or willingness to evolve the platform using technology its not used to. Much like the Japanese, most American companies do not like to jump onto new technology with a "higher" volume selling vehicle. (I assume Mustang is considered a medium to high volume). They leave the new stuff to low volume items (Corvette...etc)

Exactly. Add to that the fact that Ford only has this single RWD car platform, and it makes very little sense for it to spend a lot of money on innovation or development when all investment has to be recouped with one medium volume at best, model.

I have higher hopes for the Camaro considering GM's investment (and payback ATS, CTS) on the Alpha platform. It gives it more room to innovate and play with a medium volume model along with technology test out on the Vette, as you mentioned.

 

[grambles423]

Exactly. Add to that the fact that Ford only has this single RWD car platform, and it makes very little sense for it to spend a lot of money on innovation or development when all investment has to be recouped with one medium volume at best, model.

I have higher hopes for the Camaro considering GM's investment (and payback ATS, CTS) on the Alpha platform. It gives it more room to innovate and play with a medium volume model along with technology test out on the Vette, as you mentioned.

GM also has a lot more engineers at their disposal, too. The Vette trickle effect is very beneficial to them for that reason. AND they can turn out a design quicker than others. Same with Toyota.

Honda....not so much. We're a small company and our capability is limited by manpower. BUT, we can innovate the shit out of something if its already been implemented. IE, turbo tech.

I feel like this Mustang is a very conservative, safe approach but feature driven to allow for that evolution of the platform. Engine choices, refinement, and multi-link alone took this mustang a step further. It'll be a great seller. Its more.....Sports Car...less American Muscle (Read: REDNECK Vehicle)

 

[D Griff]

I would be given that they are all based on the same 10 year old Mazda design...:laugh:

I think you're just making stuff up, right? Ford has no relationship with Mazda anymore, I doubt they're using the MS3 motor if that's what you're referring too. Mazda makes excellent motors though.

 

[johnny_p]

Oh ok. Make's sense. My speculation, or question, would be.....does Ford have the know how and/or willingness to evolve the platform using technology its not used to. Much like the Japanese, most American companies do not like to jump onto new technology with a "higher" volume selling vehicle. (I assume Mustang is considered a medium to high volume). They leave the new stuff to low volume items (Corvette...etc)

Well.... they put a twin turbo V6 into the best selling vehicle in the US (F-150). Mustang will now be using aluminum on the hood, front fenders, and rear knuckles. Would be nice to see some high strength steel or aluminum make its way into the chassis though.

Exactly. Add to that the fact that Ford only has this single RWD car platform, and it makes very little sense for it to spend a lot of money on innovation or development when all investment has to be recouped with one medium volume at best, model.

I have higher hopes for the Camaro considering GM's investment (and payback ATS, CTS) on the Alpha platform. It gives it more room to innovate and play with a medium volume model along with technology test out on the Vette, as you mentioned.

This. Reducing size of the Camaro would make me love it even more.

 

[D Griff]

GM also has a lot more engineers at their disposal, too. The Vette trickle effect is very beneficial to them for that reason. AND they can turn out a design quicker than others. Same with Toyota.

Honda....not so much. We're a small company and our capability is limited by manpower. BUT, we can innovate the shit out of something if its already been implemented. IE, turbo tech.

I feel like this Mustang is a very conservative, safe approach but feature driven to allow for that evolution of the platform. Engine choices, refinement, and multi-link alone took this mustang a step further. It'll be a great seller. Its more.....Sports Car...less American Muscle (Read: REDNECK Vehicle)

I always think it's hilarious when you say Honda is a small company. I get where you're coming from, it's smaller than GM, Toyota, VW... but it must be fortune 500 :laugh:

I think about 1 in 10 cars I see on the road are Hondas.

I agree with you though, this Stang isn't super revolutionary, but they took a great car and made it a bit better. I can't fault anything with that approach.

 

[maxtdi]

I think you're just making stuff up, right? Ford has no relationship with Mazda anymore, I doubt they're using the MS3 motor if that's what you're referring too. Mazda makes excellent motors though.

Read up on "Ecoboost" please.

 

[PetrolHead]

GM also has a lot more engineers at their disposal, too. The Vette trickle effect is very beneficial to them for that reason. AND they can turn out a design quicker than others. Same with Toyota.

Honda....not so much. We're a small company and our capability is limited by manpower. BUT, we can innovate the shit out of something if its already been implemented. IE, turbo tech.

I feel like this Mustang is a very conservative, safe approach but feature driven to allow for that evolution of the platform. Engine choices, refinement, and multi-link alone took this mustang a step further. It'll be a great seller. Its more.....Sports Car...less American Muscle (Read: REDNECK Vehicle)

:wub: GM

Honda deserves major credit for perfecting previously implemented technology. Seriously, you guys take stuff that's so-so and make it world class. There's a lot to be said for perfecting, but innovating is also important. I think a lot of what's keeping Acura back is lack of innovation to some degree.

The Mustang is safe, and will be successful. It's an evolution, but just like any other new car, the PR hype far blew out what it would actually be. What we got is what logic would have expected, while it was built up for be much more of a sports car. It's still too big (physically, not necessarily weight) to be a truly viable "sports car" and not a muscle car bruiser, IMO. It's still good, just more meh.

 

[PetrolHead]

This. Reducing size of the Camaro would make me love it even more.

Just wait for it. Ford clearly doesn't see it coming. It's what this Mustang should have been, much more sports car than muscle car.

 

[Zillon]

Just wait for it. Ford clearly doesn't see it coming. It's what this Mustang should have been, much more sports car than muscle car.

I hope to see some of that Code 130R concept in the next Camaro.