Ok, this if my first post here, so let me introduce myself. I'm 27, have owned 9 or 10 Mustangs (all of them 5.0s) and I am avid sports car and motorcycle fan.

I sold my cherry 86 GT last year, and I am looking at buying an 05 sometime within the next year. I currently ride a Yamaha V-max motorcycle (the fastest cruiser on the road).

So, back to the original issue, I've given a lot of thought to the ride height issue which has been brought up. I think I might have hit upon the answer...

You will notice similar things about every one of the mules which appears to have smaller tires/too much ground clearance.

a ) the fuel rail on the back of the car
b ) a digital tripmeter on the dash

I believe this signifies the fact that these are, in fact, hybrid vehicles. As such, I wonder if the cars weigh less than normal, and therefore ride higher. I wouldn't think that is the case, as hybrid vehicles generally weigh MORE than simple IC equipped cars. But, they might have put stronger springs on these vehicles in order to carry the extra weight...and the car ended up sitting higher.

Either way, the point is that these are not production 05s, and so there is no need to worry that the ones rolling off the lots will have this ride height issue.

Ok, end of rant.

 

Hybrids? I don't think so, and the ride height looks just fine to me.

 

You obviously missed this thread:

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=2722

So, what do YOU think the fuel rail is for then?

 

Yaa I think there Hybrids. Not all of them though. The ones at shows and stuff most likely are not. Because the hoods are open and stuff. If that was the case. then we would know for sure if they were hybrids because somebody would have posted it after seening the 05 at a show. And the videos we've seen, The mustang sounds pretty beefy ( I love it). and I can't see a hybrid making that kind of noise. But I don't know how Hybrids sound. so correct me if I'm wrong. But yes some of the Mule 05's are most likely hybrid

 

hybrid

 

those are because it's a test car, right?

 

what's hybrid about this stuff? the car has basically two linked tanks that have to be drained seperately

 

My guess would be that Ford wants to find out the mileage of a natural gas/petrol hybrid. Or perhaps it is a hydrogen/petrol hybrid.

Either way, I think that some of the 05 mules are hybrids, and my whole point was that we don't need to worry about the production models looking funky like some of these mules do.

 

Doubt they are hybrids.

I think they are drains...one for each side of the saddle style gas tank.

Which wombert just pointed out

 

why would they make test mules for a hybrid? shouldnt they be focusing on the mass production gas model V_V .. thats why i think theres no way in heck these mules are hybrids... why waste the time and effort.

 

Maybe in a year or two who knows. But it seems like they wouldn't be worried about something like that right nowwith the launch and trying to get everything right. Don't know ...I'm not a Ford bigwig.

Jason

 

Hybrids... no..

Test mules with crappy springs... maybe...

For stock ride height, i'll check my local Ford dealer in october.

 

I fully realize I could be wrong about the hybrid thing, but what would be the point of petrol fuel drains?

Also, do you guys in Toronto get new models as soon as the Detroit area dealers do?

 

Those are standard on all test mules, Ford or otherwize. It allows them to check the gas (petrol) at anytime to check for metal shavings, sealant, etc. (its pretty hard to drain a tank without the ports). It also lets them drain it to remove it to check other mecanisms or get a better look at the rear of the car. Ever tried heafting out a half full tank? It also lets them see exact fuel consumption. the gauge on the dash is about as accurate as my dentist. Filling the tank, clocking the mileage, then emptying the tank gives actual consumption and mileage. Many also have quick connect exhaust ports back there to check emissions too. I just finished draining the fuel on a mule for the 2005 subaru legacy turbo here at SIA.

 

Well, that answers that.... 'nough said.

 

The petrol fuel drains are just incase something "bad" happens .

From what I have heard from local dealers, they will be getting 2 or more cars in October.. I am sure the Greater detroit area will get among the first batches of cars, no worries, I don't need to be the first one in Canada with an '05

 

No, I really think they ARE hybrids. And the GT hybrid will go for less than $20k!

 

 

......and the Hybrid will run off "Mr. Fusion" too right???


EDIT : Yay,,,,,im a GT member now

 

darn, and here I thought the only way to empty a Mustang's gas tank was to drive around like a madman and floor it !!!

What was I thinking !!