Knight

I have never heard of that either... sounds bunk to me.

Vermillion06

But the Corvette has always had it's own unique chassis and engineering. The Mustang has always been based on another existing sedan chassis, first the Falcon, then the Pinto, the Fox, and now (although highly modified)DEW98.

When you have the luxury of a completely unique chassis with a fiberglass body with no compromises along with a higher price point to build to, it's no wonder the Corvette is lighter.

The '71-73 was just a case of "bigger is better" with really no changes to the chassis underneath, which was pretty much the same as 67-70. But the weight gains from the Fox chassis to SN95 were mostly due to adding more structure to the chassis to make it stiffer. Then with the '05 they made the chassis stiffer than the SN95, as well as being a few inches larger in all dimensions. Also note the changes is safety equipment and crash regulation over the years that had to be met.

Compared with other steel bodied, 4 seat, RWD coupes that are about the same length, width, and wheelbase as the Mustang, the current Mustang is not overly heavy. The G35 weighs about 3500 lbs; the current BMW 3 series coupes weigh about 3400lbs.

Look at the difference between the 350Z and G35. They are basically the same chassis, but one is a 2-seater and the other a 4 seater. The 350Z is about 3300lbs while the G35 is about 3500lbs. The 350Z, while it's a two seater, doesn't have the advantage of a fiberglass body like the Corvette does.
I would really like to see the next generation Mustang chassis get back to the original '64-'66 dimensions. That would probably help trim a hundred pounds or more weight.

Knight

you should know that the d2c platform is not a highly modifed dew98.

Vermillion06

Didn't they start with the DEW98 and end up just using part of the floorpan stamping?

Knight

I don't know all the details but basically it was cheaper for them to make an all new one the d2c then to modify the dew98.

Maybe it uses some already engineered design like the floorpan but it is a completly new platform.

Boomer

It's not even DEWlite if I remember correctly..which is what they were going to do. Take the Dew98 and make a bunch of changes to make it cheaper to build the mustang on, as dew98 was too expensive.

Probably had so little to do with the original dew98 that it was named D2C and is completely new (as stated above)

Tony Alonso

If I remember correctly, the shock towers and parts of the front subframe were used. Also, the idea of twin gas tanks made its way in to the design. Beyond that, I understand it to be all new.

Vermillion06

So bascially, based on DEW98 but highly modified -- so many modifications that it could be considered a new chassis.

Knight

i think its more of a new chassis with some good elements from the dew98 put in it....

mach1fever

There have always been power to weight ratio's. It started with insurance an internal standards during the 60's and led to the birth of the gto. These standards are still in place. The other consideration is the amount of damage per hit below 10 miles an hour. The 05+ mustangs are some of the cheapest to repair in the industry. Compare that to the vette which definately is not.

Tony Alonso

That is my understanding as well. I believe Hau Thai-Tang was previously said the S197 chassis was inspired by the DEW platform.

Packoo

If I was Ford, i would wait on bigger engines, SE's until something materialized as competition on the street...

Right now, business sense says sell what you have, which is a legal monopoly right now... R&D the future to counter the ever impending chevy/dodge arrival to a now 4 year old party...

Chevy has been talking big numbers, but I havent seen anything on the dealer lots.. All hot air to rile Ford owners... Camero is still just a gleam in papa GM's eye...

Dodge, come on, that project they have could get killed tomorrow... There is no telling what the new ownership is gonna do, bet it aint to rule the modern muscle car world...

I just wanna get another Mustang (2008) before major changes... I really like what Ford has now...

usmcrebel

i would just change the whole chassis, why not just go to a lighter chassis and stick with the same engine if we dont get a bigger engine.

Knight

Ford does not have a chassis it can use and it would be way to expensive to make another one after they just finished designing this one. ford likes to get the most from their money, hense the same chassis being used from 1979-2004.

So technically we should get a new one by 2030.

Moosetang

Should be ever so slightly before then, but stranger things have happened.

Knight

Yeah i was about the 2030 comment....but like you said...stranger things have happened.

GT98

What looks to be happening is that the current Mustang platform is going away come 2012 or so when the Global RWD platform (Huntsman from Australia) come into production...spawning a new RWD Sedan for North America and a new Mustang Platform at the same time...maybe even a On-Road RWD Uni-body Explorer replacement.

The Current S197 platform costs where expected to be paid off over 5 years after the 05 Launch with a base line of 130K units sold each year. Since Mustang Sales have been about 30-50K units a year better then that, the platform will be paid off sooner then later, which will hopefully lead to more $$ being spent on giving us more updates for the car.

usmcrebel

whats this about i havent seen the article do you have a link for it?
I think to save money and increase profit they should just focus on production of lighter platforms, use the profit to focus on ways to put our stangs on jenny craig cut some pounds then worry about how they are geared for MPG, while maintianing the current or better power output they have ATM.

Moosetang

Problem is that weight-loss and cost savings are mutually exclusive. Costs tend to rise exponentially as you reduce wieght, and unlike engines which can be shared across a broad range, there's alot in weight reduction that is platform or even vehicle-specific. So from a cost point of view, adding HP is usually more attractive than cutting wieght.

If the global RWD platform happens, as it looks to, I'd give it a 90% chance of underpinning the Mustang and Explorer. The sedan is guaranteed, of course. Mustang still has a slight chance of staying on its current platform if they can demonstrate real cost savings by doing so, but I doubt it. Explorer's been all but confirmed to be headed to a car-based platform, which makes the global RWD architecture really appealing. It would allow Explorer to keep its V8, allow Ford to meld the Territory and Explorer, and differentiate the Explorer from the exstensive FWD CUV lineup.

Knight

Well i agree with using lighter weight materials cost will rise. I think he means engineer the chassis to use less metal or a more efficent use of it to lessen weight. I seriouly think the stang should be scaled down in size by about 3-5 inches length 1-2 width. would make the car lighter without really changing anything and would save in material cost.