"For the coming 2015 Mustang, which will shed the current model's retro styling in a bid to boost its global appeal, Mr. Fields helped get designers more leeway to improve the proportions of the vehicle by widening and lowering it, even though it required major engineering changes, according to a person involved in the conversation."


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...121188316.html

 

So basically it will look like a BRZ or FR-S, Genesis coupe with Mustang cues?

 

No, it will look like a lower, wider Mustang rather than a Ponycar panel van.

Since when are Mustangs, or performance cars in general, supposed to be tall and narrow?

 

Well, there were a couple of posts (probably a few month ago and there are far too many threads to search through to find them!) that indicated things were being delayed due to a "redesign". I guess this is what they meant. I'm assuming that was before the prototypes hit the street though as they wouldn't be lowering and widening it any more than the cars we've seen. Would they?

 

Yeah, I suspect these major engineering changes occured much earlier on in the development process, quite unlike the S197s 11th hour dictate to use a lively axle out back that resulted in an inferior design that actually ended up costing more than had they stuck with the ready-to-roll IRS.

Personally I would prefer a Mustang whose proportions -- lower and wider -- that presumably reflect a lower CG and better roll control and thus, better dynamic performance.

 

As long as everybody can still tell it's a Mustang I'm ok with it

 

I think these are all nice lookinng cars. Now they will NEED to be MUSTANGED up, but not a bad idea. A more muscular brz/fr-s with fat tires and a 450+ hp motor would be dead darned sexy! Add awesome hadling and the mustang will be a nearly straight up 4 seat alternative to the corvette. American muscle car with nearly sports car handling and room for a kid in the back!.

 

couldnt agree more

 

Lower? Wider? I'm sold.

 

Since Ford started making them.

Ford has never released a short, wide Mustang. They've always been narrow, tall, and prone to a lot of body lean. They've always been about 69 inches wide and 52 inches tall.

The 2005+ Mustangs were the first to cross the 70 inches wide threshold to almost 74 inches, but the cars are now 2 inches taller as well. To put that into perspective a 1985 Camaro IROC Z was just as wide and 4 inches shorter.

 

Lower is good. Wider? Not so sure about that.

 

It also rolled on 16" wheels, a big problem with the 4x4 roofline is the need to balance the size of the tires and wheels to the car. Its also the reason for the high belt line and even though the Mustang doesn't suffer as much, the gun slit green house (most evident on the F5) which is to keep your favorite pony car from being confused with a Land Rover.

 

Go that right, you know hard it is for your girl to lean over the current console to ummm... give you a kiss good night! (hmmm... might get in trouble for that).

 

Why did you say ummm?.. i dont thinks shes kissing you in the mouth

 

Well this being a PG forum and all that.

 

not so sure about that with all the car **** mustang renders

 

I don't know.

74.5 inches wide and 50 inches tall doesn't look too bad for a 4 seat, 2 door sports coupe.

 

 

I think you meant to say a Genesis Coupe with Taurus queues...

 

Isn't it shorter too..?