So, what's in store for the 2010+ GT500? Hmmm, let me dig out the
'ole 8ball and roll it around a bit: says here that there probably won't be a GT500 in 2011. And I bet you're just dying to know what the "new" models are! Can't say too much just yet, but you're going to like it (well, you should). And to answer V10's 5.0 engine question: this mill will be used in Ford's truck line, as it's about the only sizeable chunk of the market they have left (and profitable). People who buy trucks still need/want power to pull. That will give Ford the numbers they need to produce the engine for those who still want a V-8 in their Mustang. There you go.

 

Notice the wink....
It was kinda a loaded question

 

no lol

wait..whats in november?

 

I understand the skepticism, but thankfully the situation isn't quite this grim. The reality is that there are a surprisingly high amount of possibilities when it comes to potential weight savings for the Mustang. A quick list includes the possibility of plastic fenders, plastic roof panel, aluminum suspension components, the drive-shaft (if I'm not mistaken the current two piece unit is pretty heavy), lighter transmissions...the list goes on and on. I personally have seen weight shaved by redesigning the seats frames in a car odd as that may seem. That said I don't expect the V8 Mustang to be substantially lighter, but I do indeed expect it to be lighter if only by a little. I expect the V6 model to potentially be surprisingly light once the switch to the Duratec is made.I was once a skeptic myself but my faith in this has been strengthened by the reality that Ford has already followed through with their promise to make future vehicles lighter with the new F150, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here as well.


Agreed all around.

 

LAIAS

 

Can't wait to log on to TMS the day that the new car is finally revealed. The anticipation is a killer.

 

The driveshaft is one area, but where else? You cannot remove weight from the car without adding cost. My opinion is that the Mustang will actually be a slight bit HEAVIER due to added content.

Ford hasn't impressed me with their effectiveness in reducing curb weight. Heck, they couldn't even build a 120K+ car that was lightweight!

 

Wonder if they'll be losing the spare tire like on the GT500/Bullitt to help with the weightloss

 

Its obvious GM & Chrysler can't build a slim car either, because both the Camaro & Challenger are hogs!
To be honest, I don't expect the Big 3 to make weight loss a major priority until they absolutely have to. Which IMO, will be just prior or even after 2020.
I will be extremely surprised if the next generation Mustang is significantly lighter than this current model. The focus right now is on engines. When they exhaust that option, then they will be forced to use more expensive materials to lighten the cars.

As for GDI V8's? Cars like the Mustang & Corvette will always have at least one model with a V8. The public demands it. This country is car crazy, and the Classic Car & Aftermarket business are billion dollar a year industries. Not to mention the love for Drag Racing & NASCAR in this country.

I've always stated that the new GDI V8 will have 350-400hp. Even 350hp is reasonable and easily obtainable. It makes sense because we have GDI 4 bangers & V6's making near or above 300hp now. And of course the GDI V8 will be in Trucks!

Here is something to think about. If this next generation Mustang is everything that us Mustang lovers dream of: IRS, GDI V8(350-400HP) is there really a need for future SE's? IMO, No.
A 500hp Mustang will be made, but for how long? Or better yet, how many per year?

Someday a smaller, lighter, Mustang will be made and a GDI 4 banger or V6 will be the engine of choice, but its not going to happen over night!

 

I'm actually optimistic on this front. With Ford apparently fully committed to investing the money to bring the updated 5.0L V8 and new 6.2L plus V8 engine families to market I think you're seeing a commitment which will endure at least through the reasonable life spans of these two mills. And for the latter, which could easily be rendered into a 5.0L units itself some day if need be, I expect a twenty year life span at least.

 

Maybe they are able to take advantage of things like high tensile strength steel? I don;t know if the price has come down or they found a way to keep things cost neutral in that regard, but thats another avenue to weight savings, not to mention things like thinner glass and maybe reduced use of sound deadners. Didn't Ford say they were trying to target a 200+ pound reduction in weight for all thier vehicles?

If ford were to replace the roof panel with an aluminum piece, use thinner glass and switch to a one piece driveshaft as well as doing something like Mazada and go over every nut, bolt, and stud in the car it would produce a noticalbe difference in weight.

 

Why would the torque only be rated 360 on a 400hp engine? The current 4.6 is 300 hp and 320 tq. Is it because the bore isn't large enough or is it stroke that helps most with torque? Personally I always loved the Torque of the old Fox Mustang 302 engine. It was a blast to stomp on the pedal and spin the tires off the line just a bit for fun

 

I seriously hope that Ford never consider dropping the V8 from the Mustang line-up. I don't care how powerful they can produce an I4 or V6. I still want a V8 engine in my Mustang.

The day that Ford drop the V8 from the Mustang is the day I stop buying them.

 

Yep. I am a V8 man. Nothing beats the sound of a V8!
I think there will always be at least one Mustang with a V8, the public demands it.
10 or 20 years from now(maybe sooner), the only American cars to have a V8 could very well be the Corvette and the "Top" Mustang.

 

But all those things you mentioned add cost. I'd love for the Mustang to drop 50-100 lbs, but I don't think that will happen at the current price point. It's easier for Ford to add hp than it is to decrease curb weight.

 

The Mustang, though to a far lesser degree than the upcoming Challenger and presumably Camaro, is in a bit of a performance box.

Sure, Ford could do the quick 'n easy performance expedient by simply slapping in an ever bigger, more powerful and likely, more thirsty motor. While that may have been expedient in the gluttonous days of <$2 gas, the future may be closer to double that, the economic equivalent of a 24mpg average car getting 12mpg. And never mind the real potential for carbon emission standards or taxes.

On the other hand, with the current S197 platform, it would be rather difficult to improve straightline performance from the other end of the equation, dead weight reduction. While this would be preferable as it would reap across the board performance benefits (handling and braking) while improving efficiency, economy and enviro-impact, it would likely be rather difficult to extract more than about 100-150 lbs from the current platform without great cost or sacrifice.

While every pound shed helps, 150 lbs would be roughly equivalent to a mere 15 extra hp or so.

More likely might be modest fat reductions in the near term (<100lbs) coupled with improved efficiencies (6 speed, sleeker aero, GDI, etc.) to better extract performance from each gallon burned.

The NextStang would presumably see a much more dramatic reduction in mass. My guess is that it will be modestly downsized, 300-400 lbs lighter, much sleeker than the current barn door aero and focus on a much more balanced performance envelope than the current, rather straight line compromised one.

 

And most likely that's what you'll be getting, although maybe not that many pounds off. The six speed will be offered in both manual and auto.

 

That depends where the weight is reduced from the car. The “Spydershaft” is said to be worth .2-.3 down the quarter. Add an aluminum flywheel with lighter wheels and you are probably close to a .5 reduction down the ¼ mile. These items are all easy items for Ford to improve upon while watching cost.

 

Well in typical fashion, Ford is chickening out with carryover motors for the 09 F150 release, and the EcoBoost is not on the Flex release schedule either(nor MKS). I wouldn't be surprised if the '10 has carryover engines as well for the GT.

 

I wouldn't be suprised to see a bit more ponies though...even if they are the same engines.