I think the design is really good for a Fustang. Just what few people want, a 2 door Fusion. The 58 Thunderbird / Mustang-to-Probe mentality surfaces again. If something happens to my 2010 Mustang I know what car I won't think about buying. I'll go for a Challenger of if I have the money I'll get a Corvette for my fun car. I'll still drive my F150 as my DD and my wife will drive her C-Max.

 

It's will be one of the best ever, well hopefully!
But seriously. People usually hate the new renderings until they see it in person.

Then it happens, luv at first sight.

 

The video of the GT350 prototype really made me fall in love with the rear end. It's so wide and sexy. Still undecided about the roofline and front end, until I see it in person.

 

Compared to 13/14 I still hate it, compared to every-single-other sports car out there I hate it even more. It looks like a 2004 tiburon to me with a few lines.

 

I saw one today at the KC Auto Show. Grey convertible pony package, I guess. Meh, it is a just a car. A Ford that looks like all the other Fords on display. Not significantly different than the current car and too conformist at the same time.

Not enough there to make me want to trade in my 12. I just hope my opinion is in the minority because I want Ford to sell allot of them and put out a better product in 5 years.

 

While I understand your comments to some degree, name me another Ford with that rear end or a true fastback design. Also, I hope you base your car decisions on more than just looks. This is no Aztec in the looks department and it WILL have a better driving experience with the IRS, considerably upgraded interior and a tad more power.

My prediction for the car magazine reviews are that straight line speed will be similar to the existing model and those with a 2010-2014 will latch onto that like a starving dog to a slab of meat. What they will ignore is the noticeably improved times through the figure 8, lateral grip and road course times. Not to mention the comments about how much more enjoyable it is to drive on a daily basis and how much easier it is to drive fast for the average Joe.

This is not all directed at you Hammer - just some of my general thoughts on what I've read here.

 

I have been racing cars of all types for years!
On dirt, and asphalt. Drag racing, auto crossing, and road coarse.
Yes a IRS car is much easier for the average joe to drive fast, and yes even a professional will normally prefer it in all out road racing. BUT when it comes to straight line performance a straight axle works better, and they are a lot more fun to drive and more predictable when it comes to kicking the rear out around corners.
More mustangs are used in straight line racing than any other type of racing (that is the mustangs core group of enthusiasts)
Mustangs have always been more of a muscle car than a sports car!
I like muscle cars there for I'm not a fan at all of the new mustang, and I think changing directions with the cars core group to be more of a sports car might end up being a bad idea!
We will all find out soon!
P.S.
I just ordered a 2014 when i had the choice between it and waiting for a 2015.
I can't wait to get my new 2014 any day!
And I will be doing all 3 types of racing with mine.

 

I disagree. The new Camaro and Challenger (the true most muscle car of them all) also have IRS and that hasn't stop it's core fans from enjoying their cars and drag racing. On the contrary, I believe they have gained even more fans. They have adapted learned how get the most out of the IRS setup. If you go to Camaro5 you don't see many post (if any at all) wishing GM and Chrysler go back to solid rear. The same thing is going to happen in Mustang world. In a couple of years most Mustang fans are going to embrace IRS and forget about SRA. Old school people just need to get over their fears about IRS. There is nothing complicated about an IRS, unless you are designing one. Yeah it make take a couple of more bolts to modify or take something out, big deal. It has been out for a while now and there are a bunch of people drag racing they cars with it, even cars with 1000+ HP.

 

I hope you are right!
So that the mustang lives on and on!
I don't like the look or the suspension design of the 2015.
So my 2014 might be the last one I buy for a while,
until ford makes there next big change in 5+ years!

 

that's the spirit!
Like this one or not.
None of us are done with mustangs.
Camaro and challenger both had to go away for a little while
Not true for the Mustang, people have loved it through the years, no matter which body style. It's always a favorite.

 

I think the IRS will make the new car a better driver on the streets. I also think the road racers and autocrossers will like it if it is well designed.

I think that Drag Racers will have issues with the IRS until they iron out the weak parts. I predict stick axle retro fit kits. This has already happened on the current Camaro and Challenger. Look over these articles from Hot Rod http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/g...riveshaft.html http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/g...srt8_hemi.html

 

I appreciate your comments but since none of us have driven one of these cars yet, how it drives and performs cannot be considered. All I can comment on is what it looks like and if it makes me want to go into debt.

My issue is with the fact that Ford used allot of corporate design cues in the grill, hood and the character lines on the side. Yes the fast back lines are unique but the quarter windows are barrowed from other makes/models and are not unique. The interior looks better in person but I haven't sat in the car yet.

For me it is this simple - The Mustang doesn't need to look like any other cars to be successful. It is okay for it to reuse previous Mustang design themes and it would be better if it creates some new ones. Its a Mustang for God's sake not a soon to be forgotten name plate in Fords line up.

I have the same opinion of the C7 Corvette by the way. I think they look great but I am troubled by some of the Ferrari elements that I see.

In the end this all becomes an argument not unlike whether vanilla or chocolate is a better flavor for ice cream.

 

The new Mustang is nice for what it is, a sports car. I decided to order the current gen Mustang because I like the Muscle Car look better. Yes the new one has IRS, but there is nothing wrong with the solid rear axle with the correct mods Plus I have always been more of a drag racing type than road course. Anyways, I do really like the new Mustang and think Ford did a great job, you cant live in the past forever and it was the right move for the Mustang especially going global.

 

Actually, FORD may carry the new "Fusion Coupe" look into other cars in the FORD line. Could be a big success

 

I bet it would sell and compete with the charger , Chevy SS market

 

I think a lot of the IRS vs. SRA argument is essentially moot given the 2015 is now an IRS design.

The Mustang did assume a bit of a "muscle car" mantle, even if it was conceived somewhat in opposition to being a muscle car, with the disappearance of real muscle cars in the '70s and '80s. The V8 RWD Pony cars were basically the only thing left with, well, V8s and RWD and sort of became the neo muscle cars.

As for the Stang being seen primarily as a straight line car may be putting the cart before the horse because, due to the limitations of a lively axle, that was the one area they could truly excel at, despite noble efforts to make the log axle handle well, and credit due, Ford did make the SRA handle very, very well ... for a log axle.

Anyway, hunger for actual drive reports to bring some reality to all this bench racing.

 

Amen and X1000!!!

 

I was out for a spin in my 2012 GT today, and still love it, and am always impressed how it handles (now that I have the mods listed below as well as the MGW shifter). That said, I'm curious about the new gen because:


- I wonder how the IRS will handle
- I like the upgraded 5.0 engine
- I like the upgraded brakes that are supposed to be available
- I like an improved stance that is stock
- I'm curious to see if they padded the door panels...even a little bit
- I'd like to see some kind of collector or limited edition model


from the pics I see of the 2015,


- I miss the signature B-pillar and quarter window
- not sure about the fastback, I like the proportions of the coupe
- the car seems to be more of a morph of a Mustang and other current sports cars - lost some of it's uniqueness and identity
- the interior dash looks a bit fussy


Obviously, I will be looking hard at the 2015. I think one big selling point for me would be if you can order the car relatively stripped, but with high performance. Like :


- 5.0/ 6 speed manual
- cloth interior, maybe cloth Recaro
- Track Pack with Brake upgrade
- Pick your rear end final drive
- Staggered or wider wheels with sticky tires
- decent sound system


Anyway, it will be exciting to walk around the 2015!

 

Just saw the '15 for the first time in person tonight at the Twin Cities auto show. They had a silver 5.0 with black wheels and the gauges in the center air vent spot on the dash (GT Track Pack car? I kind of had the impression that those dashes were related to the ecoboost car but glad to see them as an option on the V8).

It is nicer in person than pics, but it still isn't doing it for me. I love the interior of the current Mustang in 401A guise, but I will concede that the interior in the '15 (what I could see from the roped off vantage point with the door open) looks absolutely gorgeous and is a definite step up from what at least I think is already a pretty nice interior.

The back end looks great in person, much better than in pics. I originally hated the rear.

Side and front? To me more or less look the same as in pics, kind of meh. I hate the font of the 5.0 badge (I know I know), have yet to see a wheel I like, and as mentioned before I hate the cheap black plastic around the bottom, knowing they are going to paint it come mid-cycle refresh time, dating the early S550 cars instantly. The front just looks so whatever to me I guess.

Overall a nice car, and I DO think that by the end of the S550 - like the current car at the end of the S197 chassis - the car will be absolutely gorgeous. But for now I can see room for improvement and can kind of tell where they will probably go with the car in the next few years, styling wise.

 

I admit I was on the fence when I first saw a photo; however, photos do not do this car justice. I was at the Auto Show in Minneapolis over the weekend and they had a 2015 on display. Honestly, it is beautiful. You have to walk around it and take the whole car in. In person, I saw no Fusion at all. The front end says, "Mustang" just as they always have. So, my advice, for what it's worth, wait..see it in person. It makes the Camaro and Challenger look like the boxes it came in.