Is there an official reason for the narrower tires on the new GT?

 

Its all it needs Wide tires cover up poor design for cars under 400hp.

 

I like the tires a bit wider myself... for better traction.

Will the tires change on the V6 model?... how wide are they compared to 'other' cars?...

 

I dont know, but the higher profile will make for a nice ride I'm sure. They must have serious confidence in the chassis to not necessitate 45 series tires just to make mediocre handling numbers like they do now. After owning a Rx7tt that had 235's and pulled .96 on the skidpad, you learn to appreciate a car that is DESIGNED well. B)

 

Is the lug pattern on the '05 5x5.5? Don't know where i got that figure because I dont think that's very common, is it?

That's kinda important b/c if you want aftermarket 18's they might be hard to find

 

I prefer a slightly wider tire..and as you can tell from my Photoshops I like a real wide tire in the back

But why change from 245 to a 235...makes no sence..unless it's a money thing

 

Chassis dynamics probably just dictated that that was the best tire size for the parameters they were seeking. this much tire |----| difference isnt noticeable anyway visually.

 

I went with 315's on my '96 GT for sheer looks. I hope to stuff as much tire as the '05 will handle in the rear wells.

 

Then why go 255/45 with the 18s at the auto show if that quasi-pizza cutter 235/55 was preferable

 

I wonder if the 18's are part of the "suspension package" the order guide mentions Would think larger sway bars, Tokiko shocks and mabye some brake work

 

That's interesting, how do you figure
cool

 

I heard they went with a 55 series to fill in the gap between the tire and wheel well better. I personally don't like the look of the 235's. I'd prefer having the current tire setup (245/45/17) offered.

 

With all we know now, that suspension package is one of the last big question marks

 

Awesome, instead of a larger rim (Read: 18's), we get extra sidewall

 

Some possibilities:

Lower profile tires tend to have a wider but shorter footprint. A slightly higher profile tire tends to have a somewhat narrower, but longer footprint. This longer footprint can be benificial in getting traction for acceleration and braking. It is also more adept at resisting hydroplaning and cutting into light snow.

Higher profile tires generate greater slip angles before they "let go." A 60 series tire will have a long period where the slip angles (read: some oversteer or understeer) are increasing before it loses traction entirely (read: you spin off the road). A similar 45 series tire generates much smaller slip angles before it lets go. This gives you better perceived steering response and potentially greater cornering speeds, but requires more skill to get the most out of -- especially on the road.

Higher profile tires tend to handle high frequency bumps better than low profile tires.

Tires generally weigh less than rims. Thus a higher profile tire on a smaller rim will often be lighter than an low profile tire on a bigger rim. This means less unsprung weight and improved ride and handling.

All of this is a huge generality, of course. Individual tire design, including construction, compound and tread design, is kind of a black art - looking for the magic combination that offers the best of all worlds.

My guess, though, is that Ford recognizes that most base and GT Mustangs will be bought by average people looking for a "sporty car." They've gone with a slightly higher profile, narrower tire to gain advantages in ride, acceleration/braking and wet weather traction and to create a car the average person could push a little without getting into too much trouble. I suspect with an improved suspension, they can do all of this and still end up with a car that's better handling and faster than the '04.

Special editions, including the SVT/Shelby variant will be far more focused and will likely trade off some all around capabilities for improved stick and steering feel.

If so, it seems like an appropriate approach to me!

 

Yeah, its a necessary evil
Goin from 17 to 18 is an expensive threshold to cross if you wanna fill the wheel well and have a low profile

 

The problem with the tires on the V6 isn't so much the width as the 65% aspect ratio. That's tall enough that you will be able to feel the sidewalls loading and unloading when changing direction if the chassis is stiff enough (and it is) and the suspension is taut enough. The V6's softer suspension and no rear anti-roll bar may be enough to hide this.

You sure can feel it in a V6 300 though (with 215/65-R17 tires). At least Ford is using good tires on the Mustang, instead of the cheap Goodyear Integrity "rim protectors" that Chrysler is using on the 300.

 

Ford is by no means afraid of 18's the 500 gets them from day one, even the F-150 has 18's. I think it may go along with some other package. Ford has accounts with PBR, Tokiko, Eibach, and Brembo, so who knows n Interesting enough, the 18" upgrade with off-road tires on the FX4 150 is $300.

 

I am probably going to go with Roush's suspension package they put together once it comes out. I am planning on upgrading to a Stage 2 which includes the upgraded suspension.

 

awww come on BM..i thought you would have caught on by now
SNOW....

They are doing it for overall design.
They don't want to get too small, but not too large either.

They are looking for the better all around tire...
10mm per tire missing, can make a difference in the snow...that and it being a sport allseason tire