I'm not even talking about the looks, then again...it's not GM we are dealing with here.

I'm just talking about the info in the article itself.

 

No it's not good enough because it's too heavy and overly expensive for what you get compared to other modern engines. I'm hoping for a turbocharged direct injected ~5 liter engine in one of the svt cars.

 

I'm guessing the C&D render is getting pretty close, but not spot on, to the actual Mustang. I think all the major elements are there and basically correct but will probably (hopefully) executed with a bit more cohesiveness and adeptness in the real thing.

The front end I presume to be fairly close but from what I've seen from the spy shots, the real deal looks a more finely done. The sides, too, I presume to be close but hopefully will be a bit better drawn in the real car -- this render actually looks a touch bland.

The back end, again, looks a bit bloated and less than cohesive in all its elements and lines -- kind of a committee design where everyone doesn't quite get along. Not as bad and lumpy as the current version, but not as clean and tightly rendered as I might hope either.

The engine rollout schedule sounds typically Mustang, being essentially carryovers from the previous model for the first year or so and then updating the powertrain in due course after the platform update. I guess the big question will be at the upper end of the lineup: whether the old Trinity 5.8 will soldier on and or whether it will be supplemented or replaced by a new flat plane "Voodoo" motor in either naturally aspirated and/or turbo'ed setups. A high-winding n.a. version for a GT350 and a big-numbers twin turbo version for a GT500 would make a lot of sense, but we'll see. Perhaps the Trinity will carry over for a year or so then to replaced by more efficient Voodoo motors.

The low-mid range motor lineup is also interesting. As mentioned, it will basically be carry overs of the 3.7 V6 and 5.0 V8. Then, a turbo 2.3 I4 will slot in between as a mid range motor initially and then a TT V6 with 400hp will either supplement the line up by slotting between the ~ 300hp I4 and a more powerful 5.0 (approaching 500 hp). The question is whether the base V6 will remain as the bottom rung motor or whether the TT 2.3 will fill that role. I suspect the latter as the engine lineup will be starting to get rather crowded at that point. Also interesting is how the 5.0 will fit in -- will the efficient TT V6 all laden with turbo torque become a base GT motor and the 5.0 a more rare option/upgrade? Or something else?

The IRS will of course finally give the Mustang a chassis fully the equal of its prodigious engine bay performace. Clomping along with a 19th century buggy axle would simply be an instant DSQ for any world market or even much of the newer, younger American market raised on cars dancing around corners around in track shoes rather than work boots. I suspect -- lessons learned from the early aughts SVT Cobra and old geezer drag racers trepidations about IRS -- that it will be a suitably stout bit of engineering.

 

I really doubt the 5.0 in the GT will get any thing close to 500hp, more like 450-460 max. Unless they make one specially for an upper model.

 

It will be interesting to see where else the 2.3 EcoBoost engine turns up. If it makes more power and torque than the 3.5L V6 and 2-3 more MPG, I would expect it to become an option in the Taurus, Edge, and Flex. Ford could make a really nice Fusion SVT around that motor.

 

So that's where all those missing fusion front bumpers went! Mystery solved. I mean I know it has to change but popping another car's front end on the mustang really doesn't qualify.

 

looks like a real car to me.

 

Since I'm targeting the 2015 GT for purchase next year, the selfish part of me hopes that if the 430 HP number thrown out by the Morpace survey is accurate, that those numbers/engine stand for at least the 2015 and 2016 model years. When I bought my GTO in 2004 I got a big dose of buyers remorse the following year for 2005 when GM put in the LS2 with 400 HP over the 350 in my LS1. (Not to mention the dual exhaust tips and scooped hood) I'd hate to fall into the "trap" again in buying a 430 HP 2015 Mustang GT and finding out that the 2016 Mustang GT would have a 480 to 500 HP direct injected 5.0 V8. I know its always a crapshoot on these things but I'd at least like to have the top dog GT for more than a single model year.

 

How much more does the 5.8 weigh compared to the 5.0? I know in 2011 it shed something like 100lbs by switching to aluminum. I'd figure with that much power and some extra weight in back with the IRS that the power can offset much of that weight... Then again I'm not an auto engineer.

 

If the 5.0 is just a carry over I think 430hp is realistic, only with direct injection and few other tweaks the 5.0 will have 450+HP. I would not be surprised that to come out around 2017 when the new camaro and challenger comes out.

 

The C&D rear is horrible, too big, too busy, and too high. I thought this was the new cars best feature?

 

Makes sense but I think the next gen Camaro is due out in 2015 as a 2016 model year. That leaves the new Mustang just one model year alone before the new Camaro shows up with the new LT1 V8 with what I would guess at minimum 450 HP and maybe the 460 HP like the current base Corvette. I also believe the Challenger will only have a slight refresh for the 2015 model year as well next year. It looks like its release will coincide with that of the new Mustang. I would guess Mopar will let that refresh exist for 2015 and 2016 model years at least before they redo the Challenger. Maybe even 3 model years from 2015 to 2017 model year.

I guess my concern is how close is Ford to bringing out its direct injection 5.0 engine?

 

Isn't the Challenger going away and being replaced by the speculated Cuda?

 

Not sure on the exact engine weights but the GT500 still weighs ~3900lbs which is 200-300 more lbs than a GT. It's not so much a matter of whether we can add more power to offset weight, it's that all that extra weight especially in the nose makes for poor handling and handling feel as well as worse gas mileage. It's not acceptable IMO to have that in a $60-80k GT500.

Id like to see ford take it a step in the direction of the next gen M3. It's going to weigh 3300lbs and have 400+ hp and torque with 50/50 weight distribution. Id take that over 662hp and a front heavy 3900 lbs any day

 

I was thinking the same thing, but at the same time we haven't gotten a good look at the rear of the car either...so I'll give them a pass for the time being.

I'm not worried about the styling at all..I'm sure it will look even better in person.

 

looks like ford combined a fusion with a huyndi genesis and a toyota frs together to create this thing. preliminary photos reveal to me that unless they make the possible Mach 1 in '16 or '17 and in orange like the '04 mach 1 i probably will be passing on this one...unless i get it for next to nothing in price....

 

I like it - not regretting my 2014 at all (love last model year cars...) though. Interested to see pricing and options

 

I like it, only thing that would be holding me back is the knowing that this is first model year. There will be new trims , packages, engines+trans. Etc. In few years after.
I love my 2013, I believe in the future it might be looked upon In a same way as 1969-1970 Stang's are today.

 

I'm not sure I like it yet. It's almost not... Muscular enough for me.

 

From what I read and hear. (Some by Dodge/SRT brand manager Ralph Gilles) The Cuda has been put on hold. Challenger will get a mild refresh next year 2014 as a 2015 model year. And mild it is as it appears to only be a slightly different front end and tail panel refresh. Interior will change a little as well. The big new with it is that it has been reworked for their 8 speed automatic transmission. So it looks like it may not be until 2017 or 2018 model year for a new Cuda from Mopar (if at all).

And Camaro should come off the Alpha platform in 2015 as a 2016 model year as well.

Again, I just don't feel like getting "caught" for the first year of a new model if BIG horsepower increases are on the way for the following year. Kinda like the 2010 GT with only 300 HP vs. the 2011 with the 5.0 Coyote and 412 HP. I guess its selfish to wish that if the engine is a holdover, it at least lasts for 2 model years until the next HP bump for a DI 5.0 V8.