New 4-door Mustang sedan may also be available as a Boss 302.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...-mustang-sedan

Yes, it's an April Fools joke article, but maybe there's more than a few good ideas beneath that joker's suit. I would surmise the below would apply to the redesigned 2015 Mustang's platform.

Multidoor Versions
This may actually be sensible for various reasons.

• Better amortize platform development and tooling costs
  The current Mustang's bespoke chassis/platform makes it that much more expensive, per unit, than one that is shared, spreading out the development and tooling costs.
• Ford's global platform approach.
  Related concept, Ford is rationalizing its platforms globally to reduce development and production costs and reduce redundant, duplicative efforts. See the Fiesta and Focus merging more solidly onto fully global models.
• Lincoln needs a solid performance platform.
  Somnolent Lincoln is desperately in need of some heat in the showroom to go up against its near and full luxury competition, whether from Europe, America or the far east. A better done neo LS, sharing the NextStang's engine firepower and RWD/IRS agility could make a very credible platform for doing this.
• Coupe/Vert/4-Door/Wagon(!) lineup already a proven one. Simply glance over at BMW's 3-Series lineup or Audi's A4/S4 suite of cars. Perhaps for Ford it would be spread over two divisions: Ford for the Mustang coupe and vert, Lincoln for the multi-door variants -- but the concept of using a basic platform to under-gird such all these versions is well proven and successful.
• Car buffs with kids.
  Having just recently joined that demographic, and not wanting multiple separate vehicles, the idea of a four-door, or even, gasp, wagon version(s) of the Mustang platform is VERY enticing.

Diesel Version

• I've always argued that this might make some good sense. A somewhat different approach to speed and performance of a torque laden turbo diesel in the 3 liter class. BMW has their 335d and everyone who's driven one raves not only about its immense relentless torque, but also readily hitting 40mpg highway and 20s in the city. Diesels also offer a well developed, very durable and proven approach to high efficiency. Automakers tend to offer diesels at the uber efficiency end of their lineups -- small four banger turbo diesels with just barely adequate performance -- I think using a paradigm busting performance (and efficiency) based approach might do more to awaken Americans to the benefits of modern diesel technology.

Hybrid Version

• While I'm somewhat leery of the cost and complexity, and long-term durability and expenses, of hybrids, they can achieve impressive economy and low-emission targets, especially in urban driving environments. Hybrids might appeal more to the younger, digital-age tech crowd, bringing in a new class of buyers to the Mustang fold.

Conclusion

• My guess is that this putative "April Fools" article might not be quite so tongue-in-cheek as one might first suppose. I think that in some for or another, the NextStang platform will be used in a far wider range of models, though likely most being outside the Mustang lineup proper. This broader platform line will then, too, make a wider range of drive train and body options far more plausible than if only within the rather narrow/rigid/conservative current Mustang clientele niche.

 

If Ford wants to make a high performance sedan based on the next-gen Mustang chassis, fine. But give it a unique body and don't call it Mustang.

 

Completely agree.

 

I thought thats why we had the Taurus sho .....

They need to focus on specific targets that clients want....Case in point, the new explorer sport version....edge sport great idea.

They need to rework the taurus , or do the thunderbird brand again if they want me to purchase a four door sport sedan.

The taurs sho doesn't do it for me as its not high enough caliber....the Taurus has that sales man stigma....as a lease car, car rental car....

They need to do the t-bird as a hot 4 door sedan, and convertible to compete with Benz 550 convertible....and Audi a6 .....and BMW 5 series... If not the t-bird....then the Lincoln line up

 

The Taurus SHO, while getting a bit long in the tooth despite the recent styling refresh, makes a good Ford performance sedan but as you mention, doesn't quite rise to the caliber of, say, a Lincoln sports sedan to go up against the European and Asian premium brands ... and Cadillac ... or even Chrysler with their 300 SRT.

But as a performance sedan for Lincoln, a Stang-platform based RWD stormer would be perfect to go knocking against the Autobahn stormers.

 

I think a Lincoln built on a Mustang/Falcon RWD platform would be a great addition to Ford's North American lineup.

An EcoBoost V6, a 5.0L, and the 5.8L drivetrain from the Shelby would give Lincoln a world class car to compete against Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.
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rhumb, am I correct to assume you were a member of Blue Oval News a few years ago? I remember a rhumb who used to post on BON's Mustang forum quite often, and your user name is pretty unique.

 

Yup, dat's me, but Blue Oval seemed to whither away a bit, maybe I'll have to check back to see what's going on there these days (it is still up and live, isn't it?).

 

BON is unfortunately mostly the same 8 guys yelling at each other. GMI is mostly the same 30 guys yelling at each other. Camaro5 is a handful guys demanding everyone else get banned. Never change, TMS.

 

I'm for a EB6 fusion!

 

RETURN OF THE THUNDERCHICKEN!!!!!