If Ford can mainstream a DSG tranny before the other domestic auto makers that would be awesome. Finally put Ford on top technologically again.

 

i guess it just seems weird to some to have a mustang with a paddles... i wouldn't get one but to each his own

 

This was brought up ages ago when spy shots of SMG type tranny was tested on a SN95 stang.

Lots of people loved it, and equal ammount thought it wasn't what they wanted.

 

SMG and DSG are a bit different though. I'd like to see a 6 speed manual standard and a 6 speed DSG as the optional transmission shortly. Ford needs to step up and start offering their customers cutting edge technology. Honestly, that's one of a few options that Ford has to build the brand up.

 

that might work

 

I was more talking about the debate part of it.
Clicking VS rowing your own

 

Using a DSG/SMG is like your wife paying a pornstar to give you the best night of your life.

--->edit<---
And in more words, I'm not impressed with vehicles that are equipped with DSG/SMG/AWD/Torque Vectoring/active Suspensions and so on, (although I do consider ABS/TCS/ESC equipped cars a good idea for safety reasons), they are little more than life trying to emulate the pristine world of the virtual environment. All these gadgets in my opinion disconnect the driver from the actual art of driving, dumbing down the experinece and stunting the learning curve, and again in my opinion have no real place in a "sports" car (not to be confused with a "high performance" car). So losing to an SMG/DSG equipped car wouldn't cause me to swallow my pride since it was a hollow victory which relied less on the skill of the operator.

 

this is why as soon as im out of highschool ill have a good chunk of change saved up for a down payment on a 03 cobra... pirces for these type of cars are going to go throw the roof. the v8's are already started to be phased out. its just a matter of time sadly before limited numbers will be made.

 

Sorry if this is already posted but if Not!

The Northstar V8 has been a great engine for General Motors, but there's no denying that it's past its prime. GM had been working on an engine program to replace the Northstar with a new high-tech DOHC V8 for its luxury cars, but revealed today that the program's been cancelled. It's kind of easy to see why, as the General's 3.6L direct-inject V6 offers V8-like horsepower with less weight and better fuel economy. In fact, we bet more people choose the 3.6L DI V6 when ordering a Cadillac STS than the 4.6L Northstar V8 since the former is only down 14 horsepower on the latter (320 vs 306). Wouldn't you? And when an honest-to-goodness V8 is really needed, say in a performance model like the CTS-V, GM's got plenty of Corvette engines from which to choose that get exemplary fuel economy on the highway. And that's really what all this is about: looking ahead to the day when a 35 mpg CAFE standard has to be met. Gone will be the days when top-level luxury cars were offered with V8 engines just because they were the most powerful and torquey motors of the time. If the same power can be achieved in a lighter, more efficient V6, expect most automakers to start ditching V8s quickly. Acura's never had one, and the upcoming Lincoln MKS isn't getting one. So is it really surprising that GM may scale back on offering V8 engines, as well? To be clear, the only thing announced today was that a program to develop a new DOHC V8 has been cancelled by GM. Without another overhead cam V8 to take the Northstar's place, however, we think the times they are a changin'. Now, imagine a Cadillac powered by a diesel V8...

[Source: Automotive News]

 

i could easily give up a little horsepower for better gas mileage, but only if i can still have some top speed as well.

 

Better aerodynamics will get you both. The Stang's good looks aside, it's blunt-prow aerodynamics are nothing to particularly brag about - isn't its CfD somewhere around .36 - and undoubtedly take some toll on top speed and economy, particularly highway.

 

Or reducing the curb weight. Carbon Fiber and Aluminum will become more prevelant in higher volume cars in a few years.

 

Seen GM's new reverse flow turbo deisel V8? Its got about the same footprint as the LS V8, in a word, it is badarse.

 

Yes, I do remember. My first 'Stang was a '79 Fox-body with a 2.3L four that had just 88 HP! Please Ford, let's not go there again.

 

Lower curb weight will tend to benefit acceleration, handling and braking more. Ideally, future Stang will incorporate both better aerodynamics and lower curb weight for a substantial across the board boost in performance yet maintain or even improve current fuel efficiency and emissions.

 

Lower curb weight = less hp needed = smaller engine = less gas consumption

 

I agree; lower weight I think is a better solution, since it will help in city driving and highway driving, while aerodynamics doesn't help much at the low speeds of stop and go traffic.

Plus, lighter weight would give more styling freedom rather than the Mustang becoming a slave to aerodynamics like every other car.

 

Hopefully the new engines coming out in 2010 with feature cylinder deactivation and direct injection. 6 speed transmissions should also be standard. This will help the Mustang bump up the highway MPG a bit and all the technology is out there and becoming mainstream.

 

I Think making cars lighter is a losing battle. Most cars gain weight because of safety standards constantly changing and the addition of so much technology being put into cars (Navigation, hard drives, complex sound systems, sensors and all sorts of other gadgets) Though I agree they can use new lighter materials I bet it will only offset some other weight added to the car. It's kinda crazy but it seems every car on the road gets bigger and heavier with every new model. Look how big cars like the Camry and Accord have gotten. The Accord originally entered the market as a compact and in 08' is now considered a full-size!

 

Yeah, that's very true. I was just reading a road test of the new BMW 1 series coupe and it's supposed to be the new smaller, sportier BMW (the 3 series has supposedly grown too large) It's about a foot shorter than the S197, but it's curb weight is 3440 lbs! That's about the same as a V6 Mustang, but in a car that's a lot smaller.