So if the key Mustang elements are as they mentioned " Long nose, short rear deck and rear wheel drive, then it sounds like we are getting a over weight Fox.

Well, So much for the Icon. Based on that description it is nothing I will ever want.

 

At least this article says it will keep round head lights and the Triple Bar tail lights. That is good. I think an open grill is still important but maybe change the shape so it is not so "RETRO" ( still hate that term)

The really interesting thing is they say that Mustang is losing sales to Challenger and Camaro. If those two aren't retro I will eat my Lap top.


http://www.stangnet.com/2012/04/23/2...to-retro-look/

 

I don't think the challenger is stealing many mustang sales. The main competition as always is the camaro. Ford needs to realize that the pony car monopoly of 2003-2009 is over and the mustang will have to be given lower sales expectations. Much of these sales will be totally based on brand loyalty, the current mustang clearly outperforms the competition despite lower sales. The same thing happened to GM during the 4th Gen fbody vs sn95. I know gM and mopar fans that bought mustangs because it was the only ticket in town they know own camaros and challengers

 

I can live with a highly modified platform if that platform includes high strength steel and lightweight materials everywhere else.

 

Sales are up 19% this year, so something has went Ford's way since the refresh. They need to carry that momentum into the redesign.

 

I agree look at the sn95, it's hard to imagine it is a modified fox body

 

Do you like the Mustang now?

Have you ever liked the Mustang? Because EVERY Mustang EVER made was "long hood, short deck' rear wheel drive".

 

You will probably be a little disappointed, especially if the car goes global and has to conform to euro pedestrian standards with a V8 (and supercharged V8) powertrain.

Ford will probably be able to trim some weight but the size and the styling of the car will need to be balanced against hood and cowl heights which effect the belt line and wheel size.

I'm sure someone will pointlessly chime in about the cowl height on the toyobarus being really low but again thats a function of having a 2L boxer motor under the hood (a 5L boxer motor might be pretty neat but very un Mustang)

 

What exactly are the euro pedestrian standards? Does the cowl need need to be a certain height? I tried googling this and failed.

 

I think it has something to do with being safe enough if a pedestrian is hit. The Hood crumples so it can minimize damage to a person hit by the car

 

This, the hood becomes an energy absorbing structure. I'm sure I've read a minimum cowl height as well ( went Googling myself to find it) but can't remember where I read it( C&D, R&T, or TTAC comes to mind).

To be honest, I don't mind the current size of the car - yes its the largest heaviest Mustang ever but as far as pony cars go its been my best riding most comfortable one ( and the best handling and braking of the bunch as well).

It would be nice to see the next car lose a generous amount of weight but I'd hate to see it lose the amount of useful interior volume it has now or end up with quirky styling in an effort to preserve that volume and still shrink the car. IMO of course.

 

I'm just saying if you boil it down to those elements and those elements alone a Mustang could be almost anything including a camaro, challenger corvette ect.

I happen to think there is MORE to a Mustang than Just those three things.

 

I you look at the new VWs you can see the nose has been flattened out to distribute impact over a larger area.

 

I agree Completely. As soon a the Camaro was release there were people that dropped there stang to get the Camaro ( Firebird ) they had been waiting for all that time.
However my friend was ready to replace his Firebird ( His total dream car bought and drove for over 150k Miles + until his Mechanic said it was time to let it go.) and looked at the Camaro as the Fire was no longer available. After test driving the Camaro he bought a Mustang

 

Sorry if this has already been posted.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...n=awdailydrive

 

thanks I haven't seen it

 

It looks to have been posted today.
It really does nothing but repeat any rumours out on the internet right now.

 

get ready for sales to plummet ..

 

Let's all wait to see it first before we start the chicken little routine.

 

Agreed. None of these concepts matter until we see the real car.