A Closer Look at the New Mustang’s Suspension
Now that the 2015 Ford Mustang has gone all independent, changes needed to be made to make sure the new Mustang would out-handle, out-brake and out-gun generations before. This required a new train of thought for both Mustang tuners and Ford itself to ensure the 2015 drives as good as it looks. Let’s see what it took to make the new Mustang a true corner-carver.
While this isn’t the first time for a Mustang to have independent rear suspension, this will be the first time it’s offered on all Mustangs from the V6 to GT. On top of that is the introduction, well, reintroduction, of a turbocharged four-cylinder fury with the EcoBoost model. “In order to develop precise and predictable handling characteristics, a car needs a solid platform where the suspension mounts don’t move relative to one another,” said Tom Barnes, Mustang vehicle engineering manager. “The structure of the new Mustang is much more resistant to twisting, with 28 percent more torsional stiffness for the fastback and a 15 percent improvement for the convertible.”
So, what does that mean? How do you increase the rigidity of the chassis without compromising the harshness of the ride? The use of hydroforming, laser welding, and high-strength steels in critical areas is mostly how it was done. While these normally can add weight, the use of aluminum in the hood and front fenders helps reduce the mass of the body and further improve weight balance. The new Ford F-150 will not be the only vehicle in Ford’s lineup using aluminum in its body.
All of this is done and it still meets crash safety standards that have gotten more stringent over the years. Aluminum was also used on the rear suspension knuckles, rear axle housing on automatic cars, rear control arms, and even the brake calipers. Every other part made of steel and other materials was intelligently designed to reduce weight and improve performance. The 2015 Ford Mustang is shaping up to be one of the best pony cars to date, and we’re looking forward to seeing it when it arrives.