Well if you're wearing unidirectional tires that are staggered sizes,
a spare is pretty much useless unless its a front tire issue.

 

Ironically, apparently after the convoluted and contorted S197 development story, which included an ill-conceived 11th hour mandate to go to the lively axle as a penny-pinching move, it ended up costing $50 dollars MORE per car than if they had stuck with an IRS as originally intended.

That would seem to indicate that an IRS is not some Ferrari-level high end deal that many make it out to be and that there is a fully/nearly developed IRS system on some Ford shelf somewhere. I recall some leaked market survey a couple years ago (post S197 release) that inquired about an IRS for a couple hundred extra, which presumably reflected what it would cost to bring to market.

Perhaps the Track Pack is a toe in the water for Ford to test consumer interest in real performance beyond 1/4 mile wind sprints. A more fully fledged Track Pack option including an IRS would, I think, be well received especially in concert with a road racer oriented Boss model (Track Pack standard).

A highly unlikely but hugely interesting, and I would guess popular, creation would be a strip oriented Mach I model with a "big-block" 6.2 motor and a live axle Drag Pack for the large drag racing contingent and a nice complement to the road racer Boss model.

It would be nice to see Ford put as much energy and attention into trimming fat as they have to simply adding power. The former approach reaps many additional benefits beyond simple straight line speed such as improved handling, braking, economy and lowered emissions -- all critical elements to a competitive 2010+ performance car.

Anyway, no telling how accurate this Gloria is. However, even if she's more a 4x4 person, that doesn't mean she couldn't have stumbled across a cache of Stang info somehow in her snoopings.

 

That would be an awesome lineup. Base V6, Base GT, Mach 1 w/Drag Pak, Boss w/Trak Pak, GT500 w/combination of the two and 600hp. And then later on, SVO with 3.5TT S.E.

 

So awesome, so obvious, so it will never be done.

 

if it was, would you then finally buy one or would you wait and complain that the seats aren't cooled or that the car doesn't utilize venturi tunneling?

new engines are coming; ecoboost is on the shelf. handling has vastly improved--anything is possible

 

I agree that would be the perfect lineup, but I don't see Ford offering that level of specialty. That's what the aftermarket is for.

 

Oohhhh, cooled seats would rule. I am a valet, and it is always nice to get into a car with air conditioned seats. Honestly, I would flip if this one feature were added. Ford finally has the tech (in the Taurus), but prolly won't get to the Mustang until 2014/15 at the earliest in my opinion. Tangent ended.

 

Gotta agree, Ford's really whittling away at the Stang's soft spots in a big way:

• New 5.0 DOHC motor - check
• Bigger, better brakes good for more than one hard stop - check
• Six speed gearbox - check
• Interior materials quality well above econobox level - check
• Newly tuned nimble and balanced handling - check

Man, if they come out with a Boss 302/5.0 with IRS and non-goofy styling -- and get all that poo out of the black diaper -- I may have to have a heart to heart with the loan guy at the credit union...

 

I was referring to a donut (50 mile temp) tire. Not a full size wheel and tire...

 

I know, I'm referring to even the 05s where in the instruction manual (IIRC) where they tell you not to use the spare donut on the rear, as the uneven size could/will cause damage to the LSDiff.

 

I agree, any chance we'll see a mild update on the rear end-bumper for 2011?

 

i think you may get what you are looking for a couple years down the road here... i will hold you to it if and when they get there

 

Heh I find it amusing how everyone makes that sound so simple.

 

But it is that easy, just replace all the common goods with lightweight materials, carbon fiber frame, you get the idea. Just have to develope it to pass crash test, validate it for EPA, and kick off the suppliers. What's the big deal??

Of course, you asked for it, so now you have a $50,000 base V6 Mustang.

Not trying to be a pain, just pointing out that lightweight materials cost more...

 

A lot more...

 

Can you tell me where it says this? I searched an 05 and 10 owners manuals and cannot find this. I never heard of this before and would like to know for sure in case it ever happens to me.

 

iirc the 05s had a full size spare? maybe that's why the instructional manual says that?

 

Ya know, I looked too, and now I can't find it.

I remember reading it somewhere a while back and discussing it at work.