As expected. Sans a move to an IRS setup there was simply no need to reinvent the wheel...no pun intended. The Bullitt is already a noticeable improvement over the standard GT, throw in a stiffer chassis, a little of the know how gathered from the GT500 and GT500KR, and a few new tweaks and what we'll end up with a much better handling Mustang GT.

As I stated earlier, the only worry I have is with brakes which have thus far been an informational black hole.

 

Unless they throw a 6 speed in there for 2010. I mean if the 2011 5.0 is similar to the 4.6L, it should bolt right up. Give the 4.6 a nice MPG boost regardless of 3.73s.

 

I'll have to ask my source, but the 50th Anniversary model should be the first Stang with the new platform. The release date is the same as the 1964.5's

 

Then the 2010+ will also have its 5 year run.
I mentioned before how just because the GRWD platform is ready for 2012/13, doesn't mean Ford will use it on the mustang right away.

Just thinking some more, the 2011 GT will allow ford some time to make some minor tweaks to the engine and suspension with the ability to test against the competition.

Like right now the only thing the Camaro knows, is how it will do against the current 05-09 mustang.

 

I read that the GRWD was pushed back to 2014, which made perfect sense when my source told me that the 50th Anniversary model was still on schedule.

Ford was waiting around, trying to get a feel on how the market would be, especially with gas near or above $4.00 per gallon.

To be honest, I don't know if RWD cars are really feasible anymore, minus Sports cars & Muscle cars that is.
But.....it would be nice to see Ford re-create a car like the Torino or bring back some pride to the Crown Vic.
I've always liked T-birds(2 or 4 seaters), so I am all for that!

Ford....please do not give us a hog like the Challenger!

 

NOT trying to be a traitor or anything, but they need to step up as the new camaro and challenger are pretty nice pieces of American iron. Come on Ford..... make the magic

 

Actually, this is till a very good market for RWD, especially in the areas of sport, luxury and sport-luxury vehicles. If RWD economy can be kept competitive it will still do quite well in the right applications.
Unlike the LX platform for the Chally or the Holden Zeta which were designed for larger cars first and then cut down to their Muscle/Pony car size after the fact, Ford's GRWD is being designed from the word "Go" specifically for scalability. Done right, they should be able to keep the weight down on Mustang while still doing justice to MKR/Interceptor/whatever.

 

It appears that the brakes are carry-over. I was hoping for an improvement too.

 

My thoughts exactly. Just imagine these two alongside the next generation Mustang

I'd love GRWD to spawn a new Thunderbird along the lines of the Forty Nine concept:


And a new Torino....something close to a modernised version of the '70 GT. 'Scuse the fuzzy photo, this was in a recent Mustang & Fords....

 

the Forty nine was so beautiful, how i wish they had built it.

 

Couldn't do both, not nearly enough market to support the Forty-Nine, Torino, and Mustang.

I'd like to see a Fourty Nine-style car as a new T-bird, a super-premium Ford with all the stuff too expensive to use on the Mustang. But its a hard business case to make especially with the core products not up to snuff yet.

 

I totally agree. I was wondering for a long time why Ford was bringing out the 2010 with the carry over 4.6 and then I realized that they are just letting the competition to play their hand first and will have some time to adjust accordingly. The new design will still keep the Mustang from appearing stagnant or outdated as well. It leaves them in a very good position in respect to Chevy and Dodge.

Personally I think the Bullitt, Shelby GT, Cali Special and the KR/Super Snake are less about limited editions and more about testing tweaks for the future. There has been a lot of complaining about the latest SE's just being tweaks rather than anything drastically different but I believe that's the point because we are going to have the same basic chassis for quite a few more years to come.

On a different note, the only thing I'm wondering is if we do get a 400hp 5.0 in 2011, where can they go from there? We have been steadily gaining HP since 74. When do we hit the ceiling of what's practical and doable within the confines of an affordable sports coupe?

 

grwd thunderbird torino

 

That's a great question to ask, and I have a feeling 400hp might be the ceiling. I see gas concerns, insurance rates, and other factors preventing future "base" models from having so much HP.

 

I'm inclined to agree, as I believe 385-425hp is the 'sweet spot' for cars like the Mustang GT. Although, I'm actually excited at the prospect of Ford hitting that sweet spot because that would mean that they could focus less on increasing the peak power rating and focus more acutely on......

...improving the overall torque/power band
...improving fuel economy
...improving cost to performance ratio
...making the car faster by other means (lighter weight, better gear selection)
...overdeveloping the chassis and brakes for the hp level

....all of which could serve to make maxing out the plausible peak power rating a truly sweet problem to have.

 

hell yeah man! cuz you really don't need any more HP than that. Like you said if that gave them more time to develop better brakes and make a more balanced car I'd be happy

 

I'm totally with you, but as we all know. There won't be a 6 speed in there, until at least 2011. But we can always hope that Ford may reconsider.

 

We may well already be there...

 

John, my source had already confirmed that, nearly a year ago.

 

Bzzzzz
Nope

It'll keep going from the looks of it