Twin Turbo

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/f...m-in-dearborn/

OK, so we've sort of known about this for a while, but it's nice to know it's been given the green light.

So, if we see the first cars from this platform in 2012, what sort of timescale do you think for the next generation Mustang? The 2010 will be 3 years old by then, so I'd expect the all new Mustang to arrive around 2013 or 2014.

With talk of 4 cylinder Camaros, who knows what sort of beast the new Mustang will be? I'm hoping these timescales give Ford plenty of time to produce some decent CAFE matching performance. Hopefully they can build some lightness into the platform to ensure we can still enjoy V8 muscle whilst complying with strict legislation.

rhumb

Probably would be a good idea as it seems the 2010 refresh and the 20## redo will be two very distinct discussions.

From some banter, it does sound like Ford will actually be getting more serious about adding lightness to the next Stang, which should be great for both its performance but also efficiency and ecofriendliness, no small considerations with ever tightening EPA and CAFE standards. As the 2010 will be but a refresh of the current platform -- with all the constraints that imposes -- my expectations are really fairly modest for it. But as the 20## will be far more clean sheet, it will be the far more intriguing.

Ford will also have somewhat of a potential advantage in that it will be designing the new platform in light of these new parameters, unlike the Chevy and DC platforms that were hewn in the age of cheap gas and gross excess (hence the 2-ton Challenger). What if, instead of the usual 200-300 lb bloat typical of new cars heretofore, Ford trims 200-300 lbs from the current Stang? That would be like adding 50hp to the current GT but with significantly improved mileage, handling, braking.

Moosetang

I'd say a separation of "2010" and "201X" would be prudent pretty soon. Up until recently info about the refresh and the ground-up was pretty fluid, it often would get confused between the two. Now, though, the refresh info is firming up and becoming pretty distinct from the ground-up info.

afcop13

I'd certainly be interested in a section for the 14's. 50th anniversary edition Mustangs are just a few years off. I started a separate savings account just for that 2 years ago.

I scared that Ford will screw it up, but I sure hope not. I'll have the $$ and be waiting to pull the trigger like I was for the '05 in June of 04.

TJ4Cam

I think that as we get closer to it, a section for those Mustangs is definately warranted! Good idea to start early on saving up for the 50th, I can't imagine how cool its going to be!

MustangFanatic

I would echo what others have already stated, we need to separate the 2010 refresh from the totally redesigned 2014ish Mustang. I'm saving too afcop13, let's hope it's worth the wait!

m05fastbackGT

Although I've posted this before in other threads, I'll post it once again anyway. Through a very reliable source, the timeframe for the next generation Mustang, won't arrive until during the 2015 model year, beginning in around April/May of 2014.

The reasons are: Ford isn't about to invest the additional costs towards the 2010+ re-fresh, for only a 2-3 year production run. And most of all, It wouldn't make any logical sense for Ford to introduce the next generation Mustang, by just only 1-2 years before reaching it's 50th anniversary !

Indystang

I agree. Look at all the "refreshed" production years since the 79 Fox Mustang arrived. Ford will let this refresh go 4-5 years in my opinion. They just don't have the money and also many other models getting refreshed regularly now a days.

Moosetang

Except that Ford is greatly accelerating their product cycle, 5 years would be identical to the 94-99-04-09/10 cycle the Mustang already employed over the past decade. Unless they're exempting the Mustang from this acceleration, which is entirely possible, I don't expect the refresh to last that long.

I'm expecting the 201X Mustang to be one of the GRWDP launch vehicles, which means it should be on the street the same year as the RWD Taurus/Falcon/Interceptor which will probably premier the platform. Rumors for that car place it CY 2012/MY 2013 on the outside.

rhumb

Yeah, I could see it as a 2015 with a 2014.5 launch to mirror the time frame of the first Mustang 50 years prior. That could also gibe well with the initial launch of the GRWDP platform in sedan form with the Stang as a follow up a year or two later -- that would mirror the launch timing of the Fox platform Mustang in '79, which was preceded by the Fairmont sedan in '77 IIRC.

Perhaps an initial post for a 201X section might be, given the rather different world of CAFE/EPA/OPEC that this version will face, what ought it be like?

Topnotch

Lets Start One...The Mustang Source can be FIRST again!

Moosetang

Top, you owe us a couple hours in the Pit of Fire for that one.

m05fastbackGT

Although Ford is planning on accelerating their product cycle. At this point, we have nothing written in stone for the exact timeframe. As for the launch of the GRWDP. We already know the Mustang will be included, once the production run officially ends for the S-197/D2C platform.

However until Ford confirms an official GRWDP timeframe. The MY2012/ MY2013 launch, are still rumors at this point. Therefore I'll continue to support my source's projected timeframe. In which I don't expect a Mustang GRWDP launch, until during the MY2015 model year on around April/May of 2014. Once again, this will also mark the 50th anniversary launch of the original 65 Mustang !

T5owner

Ford Capri concept car will appear 2009 at the IAA,
2012 on the road, if accepted

Twin Turbo

Topnotch, I'm normally in awe of your work but that?!? Not a bad looking car, but it's not a Mustang (although there are influences of the original Mustang concept in there somewhere!).

And don't get me started on THAT monstrosity. There's a thread in the "Other Fords" section where I've vented my spleen. As a life long (Euro) Capri fan, that is WRONG WRONG WRONG.

GTJOHN

I believe my source said 2013 for the new Mustang. But, he did not specify MY. So it could very well be a 2014MY.

If the new Camaro & Challenger happen to steal a significant amount sales away from the Mustang, it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see this new redesigned Mustang pushed up.

The refresh on the 2010 Mustang isn't going to cost Ford as much as you think. Its mostly plastic parts anyway. So even if the refresh is only on a couple MY's it will more than pay for its self.

FYI- Ford was in the process of giving the Taurus a face-lift prior to the Ford 500, but changed their mind. Plastic parts were already being made, so all the cost/R&D was for nothing.

fastmover05

Im still skeptical about the 2014 idea for one reason. Its the 50th anniversary. I dont know if it is logical for ford to release a new mustang in the middle of something so important. Maybe a we could see a special body style for the 50th or a few unique SE's or something but an entire makeover...i dunno.

rhumb

I would counter with quite the contrary, that the Stang's half-century fete would be the perfect reason to trot a new pony out of the stable rather than brushing out the old mare for the party. That's basically what Ford did with the current Stang on the 40th birthday, a 2005 model bolting the gate in late 2004 (a bit behind schedule but who's counting).

Also, the current S197 model will be getting a bit hoary by then, especially as compared to the fresher fillies from Dodge and Chevy, or even Hyundai for that matter. And the omnipresent CAFE and EPA standards will be growing ever more stringent putting further pressure on Ford to trim up and lighten its larger, thirstier models -- the two-ton, gas-swilling GT500 behemoth will start getting real hard to justify.

Of course, never underestimate Ford's capacity to bungle a development process -- the S197 was supposed to come out several years earlier than it did and with some better legs -- so perhaps we ought to clear the calendar from 2015 through the end of that decade in anticipation of the neo equus caballus.

m05fastbackGT

Okay well let's see, according to your logic. It would make far more sense for Ford to spend additional production costs, on a special one off body style, or some unique SE to mark the Mustang's 50th anniversary. But yet it's far too illogical, and far too important for an entire makeover right.

So if the Mustang's 50th anniversary, is too important for Ford to release it's all new GRWDP upon, then by all means. Please explain as to when it's finally important enough.

Or should we all just wait until the Mustang's 100th anniversary, and perhaps then it just might be important enough.

But then again, I also suppose that according to your logic. it didn't make any sense when Ford introduced the Mustang II, during the 10th anniversary launch in 1974.

Or how about the 20th anniversary edition of the GT.350, in 1984

Followed by the SN-95, during the Mustang's 30th anniversary in 94.

And then once again, when Ford introduced the current S-197, during it's 40th anniversary in 2004/05.


Well IMHO. Your post just doesn't make any logical sense, whatsoever

97GT03SVT

Actually the 40th Anniversary was a SN95 car, but I do agree that Anniversary cars tend to be with the intro of a new body style ( 94 was the 30th and the 99' came out for the 35th) If i remember correctly Ford originally planned to release the current car in 04' and for some reason delayed it's launch to 05'