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Found some specs posted for what will inevitably be one of the 2015 Stang's benchmarks/competitors, the 2015 M3/4. Some highlights:

MOTOR

• 430 HP (approximately) from around 5000-7300 RPM
• "far beyond" 369+ LB-FT (500 Nm) from under 2000 RPM to over 5000 RPM
• Slightly above 7500 RPM redline

WEIGHT

• Under 3,306 lb (1500kg) weight
  • this figure is without driver and with 90% fuel
  • BMW clarifies that "the new model is now around 80 kilograms [176 lbs] lighter than a comparably equipped predecessor model"
  • compare to E46 M3 at ~3,400 lb curb weight
  • compare to E92 M3 at ~3,600 lb curb weight
  • compare to C63 AMG at ~3,900 lb curb weight
  • compare to RS5 at ~4,000 lb curb weight
• ~ 7.68 lb/hp power to weight
  • compare to E92 M3 at 8.7
  • compare to C63 AMG at 8.7
  • compare to RS5 at 9.0
  • compare to E46 M3 at 10.25

STEERING

• Entirely new electric power steering (EPS) unit, built by ZF
• Specially tuned for M3/M4
• Servotronic function electronically adjusts the level of steering assistance
• Three modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+
• Will not compensate for understeer, oversteer, coarse road surface. Motor will not help unwind the steering wheel and it will self-center by by natural forces

MISC

• The M3/M4 standalone components amounts to roughly 50 per cent. This includes body, chassis and powertrain components.
• Lithium-ion starter battery under consideration.

My thoughts:

• Should be an impressive competitor to the Stang GT and presumably the putative SVT GT350.
• The diet is impressive, down to a fairly svelte 3,300 lbs, resulting in a 7.68 lb/hp power to weight ratio. I suspect the 2015 Stang will not be much lighter than the current car -- ~3,500+lbs -- possibly sapping the potential power advantage the 5.0 might have.
• thought the comments on the electric power steering (EPS) was interesting, that they're NOT adding a bunch of monkey business tuning to it, which seems to kill a lot of the feel and "naturalness" of many/most EPSs. Wonder if Ford engineers will be able to similarly restrain themselves and not monkey around with the Stang's EPS too much.
• BMW is basically holding the price line on the F80 M cars (low $60K range) rather than the usual $10K price jump for each new model. Wonder how the 2015s pricing, especially at the upper end GT and GT350 range will compare. A lot of the previous Stang's appeal was bang for the buck, but Ford's hinted at bumping the Stang's price a bit. Even the current model GT is easily optioned out into the $40K range already.
• Can't wait for the inevitable comparison tests.

Dave07997S

The car is going to be great, I am just having an issue with the way this car sounds. Doesn't sound very good so far in the videos I have seen. The E9X M3 is light years ahead in this category. The car will be a mid to high 3 sec. 0-60 with 1/4 mile times low 12s or high 11s. My prediction anyway. BMW quoted 0-60 in 3.9 sec for the DCT and 4.1 for the MT. They quoted 0-60 in 4.5 for the DCT and 4.7 for the MT E9X M3, both very conservative numbers. Car and Driver ran a 3.9 0-60 in a DCT car and Road and Track did 0-60 in 4.1 for the MT car with the E9X cars.

Dave

Mu5tang_GT

Are u sure about the weight figures? What i heard was that the m division complained about how carbon fiber and aluminum is not enough to lighten the cars bmw is supplying them. The current m5 and m6 i believe are heavier than their predecessors.

I honestly dont care for this car. Had an E92 M3, and while the leather and audio was nice and all, that price tag was just too much for that car. Even in the used market it still looks ridiculously expensive for what it packs.

Dat 8400 redline though...

dilabop

I test drove a BMW 3 years ago and to this day it is still the best car I have ever driven

Dave07997S

The weight is correct, the F82 M4 will be 180lbs. lighter than the E92 M3. Disagree about tbe value, I think the current M3 is a bargain for what you get.