2013/14 Mustang
The CB was designed to handle the Aussie DOHC 5.4 at the very least, which, IIRC, puts out nearly 400 hp and probably similar torque numbers. This in not to mention the generally tough life lead by any Aussie vehicle outside the cities (Outback). In general, this seems to be a real engineering gem of an IRS design that Ford NA has shortsightedly not taken advantage of, rather, choosing the (typically) cheap and easy route with the SRA. But perhaps basing the nextStang's chassis on a global platform will force Ford NA, kicking and screaming, to raise their sights and standards from the current parochial level.
It would be nice to have a best in class (or even the next class up!) chassis rather than just good enough. I think the CB-IRS would be fully up to that higher goal.
It would be nice to have a best in class (or even the next class up!) chassis rather than just good enough. I think the CB-IRS would be fully up to that higher goal.
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The CB was designed to handle the Aussie DOHC 5.4 at the very least, which, IIRC, puts out nearly 400 hp and probably similar torque numbers. This in not to mention the generally tough life lead by any Aussie vehicle outside the cities (Outback). In general, this seems to be a real engineering gem of an IRS design that Ford NA has shortsightedly not taken advantage of, rather, choosing the (typically) cheap and easy route with the SRA. But perhaps basing the next Stang's chassis on a global platform will force Ford NA, kicking and screaming, to raise their sights and standards from the current parochial level.
The good news, D2C is a very good platform, particularly given the relative shoestring budget D2C was developed upon. Even better news, it seems likely that the primary difference between GRWD and D2C is going to be the absence of said shoestring. It's just a prediction, but what little I have learned from placing my ear to the tracks and listening closely leads me to believe that GRWD could truly be a game changer. FNA may finally get the opportunity to truly strut it's world class stuff on something other than a truck for the first time in a long time. Keep your fingers crossed.
Last edited by jsaylor; Aug 12, 2008 at 02:11 PM.
I would agree, the D2C is basically an excellent platform that seems to have have suffered at the hands of the cost cutters towards the end, which likely explains such things as the yesteryear lively axle out back and average-at-best brakes.
It always struck me as odd that the D2C is sole-model platform with a rather narrow production level over which to recoup design and production setup costs. This likely sucked the overall S-197 development budget dry which might explain such things as mediocre interior finishes, lack of really substantive SE's (beyond the overweight and overpriced GT500) and slow adoption of the usual options (HID, Nav, etc.).
With a fully contemporary level suspension, it would make a great base for, say, a Mercury Cougar (splice a few inches into the WB for real back seats and up the luxury a tad), Lincoln LS (add a few inches more to the WB, two doors and up the lux yet another notch) or even replace those old gray mares the Lincoln Marquis de Sade and Ford LTD with the equivalent of the Pontiac G8. And the well spread development costs could have reaped the Stang a 21st rather than 19th century suspension for the same price along with perhaps many other smaller platform enhancements that went unrealized.
Sadly, Ford NA, in its ever befuddled planning, once again managed to skirt clear and obvious options and, well, now they're on the brink of bankruptcy.
It always struck me as odd that the D2C is sole-model platform with a rather narrow production level over which to recoup design and production setup costs. This likely sucked the overall S-197 development budget dry which might explain such things as mediocre interior finishes, lack of really substantive SE's (beyond the overweight and overpriced GT500) and slow adoption of the usual options (HID, Nav, etc.).
With a fully contemporary level suspension, it would make a great base for, say, a Mercury Cougar (splice a few inches into the WB for real back seats and up the luxury a tad), Lincoln LS (add a few inches more to the WB, two doors and up the lux yet another notch) or even replace those old gray mares the Lincoln Marquis de Sade and Ford LTD with the equivalent of the Pontiac G8. And the well spread development costs could have reaped the Stang a 21st rather than 19th century suspension for the same price along with perhaps many other smaller platform enhancements that went unrealized.
Sadly, Ford NA, in its ever befuddled planning, once again managed to skirt clear and obvious options and, well, now they're on the brink of bankruptcy.
Last edited by rhumb; Aug 12, 2008 at 03:36 PM.
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Topnotch isn't too far off, evaluating anything from the newsticker.
This one gives a good insight on the necessary "Back to bread and butter" and world-cars strategy
http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/24/news...ion=2008072411
plus this one
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/21/news...ion=2008042205
Another update in european financial mags is that the Mondeo is next to cross the pond after theFiesta, Focus as a global car, a merger of the performance groups under Jost Capito (ST head) is not far away.
It seems logic that the new Mustang will be the Mustang/Capri merger as predicted.
However I see Shelby as a separate sports car brand in the future marketing low number performance cars with less costs and much faster than a big company like Ford ever could. It will have more own production facilities.
This one gives a good insight on the necessary "Back to bread and butter" and world-cars strategy
http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/24/news...ion=2008072411
plus this one
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/21/news...ion=2008042205
Another update in european financial mags is that the Mondeo is next to cross the pond after theFiesta, Focus as a global car, a merger of the performance groups under Jost Capito (ST head) is not far away.
It seems logic that the new Mustang will be the Mustang/Capri merger as predicted.
However I see Shelby as a separate sports car brand in the future marketing low number performance cars with less costs and much faster than a big company like Ford ever could. It will have more own production facilities.
Last edited by T5owner; Aug 12, 2008 at 04:01 PM.
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.
Originally Posted by T5owner
It seems logic that the new Mustang will be the Mustang/Capri merger as predicted.
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As for Ford being on the brink of bankruptcy ? I don't buy into that for a moment, as GM, is in far worse financial shape than Ford.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...efer=worldwide
Check out this link to Bloomberg, a pretty large financial tracking service. The article is a quick overview of GM and Ford's current financial status (published July, 22). GM has a slightly better than 50/50 chance of avoiding bankruptcy.
I don't believe GM, or Ford will declare bankruptcy, but it certainly is possible. And GM at this point is in a weaker position than Ford.
GM is in far worse financial shape than Ford is, and the gap widens virtually by the day. As important as what you profit or lose is what you spent/spend that money on. GM is losing much more money than Ford and has far less of what they need coming down the pipe to show for it. That isn't good.
According to today's article in the MSN money/financial section, GM suffered a huge 15.5 Billion dollar loss for the second quarter in 2008. Thus surpassing Ford's 8.7 Billion dollar loss for it's second quarter.
That being said, it appears that both GM and Chrysler, are in worse financial shape than Ford is. Which just goes to show, that out of the big 3 domestic automakers. Ford is indeed doing slightly better !
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...01markets.aspx
That being said, it appears that both GM and Chrysler, are in worse financial shape than Ford is. Which just goes to show, that out of the big 3 domestic automakers. Ford is indeed doing slightly better !
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...01markets.aspx
True, Ford has more 'liquidity' at this point than GM, though both are in sad shape. It is truly a measure of how much of a giant GM actually is that the company can post a 38.7 billion dollar loss in 3Q 2007 and a 15.5 billion dollar loss in 2Q 2008 and still be in business. It's hard to believe any company could absorb that kind of loss and still be in business. Those numbers are staggering.
I think too, a part of GM's woe is not directly related to their automotive products. They're paying the price for decisions they made with GMAC and Delphi. GM could have completely severed itself from Delphi when they spun off the unit--they didn't and now they are on the hook for a portion of the Delphi fiasco.
GM also had the option of completely divesting themselves of GMAC, but chose to maintain a minority position (I think 49%) of the operation. GMAC is tangled in the sub-prime mess and since GM still has a large stake in GMAC, by proxy, GM is also paying the price for some questionable credit practices.
I hope they can turn it around--but with a liquidity position of $21 billion, I don't think they have a lot of time. I'm not sure how long $21 billion will last an operation the size of GM.
I think too, a part of GM's woe is not directly related to their automotive products. They're paying the price for decisions they made with GMAC and Delphi. GM could have completely severed itself from Delphi when they spun off the unit--they didn't and now they are on the hook for a portion of the Delphi fiasco.
GM also had the option of completely divesting themselves of GMAC, but chose to maintain a minority position (I think 49%) of the operation. GMAC is tangled in the sub-prime mess and since GM still has a large stake in GMAC, by proxy, GM is also paying the price for some questionable credit practices.
I hope they can turn it around--but with a liquidity position of $21 billion, I don't think they have a lot of time. I'm not sure how long $21 billion will last an operation the size of GM.
That being said, it would seem as though GM would be on the brink of bankruptcy, far more than what Ford is !
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; Aug 12, 2008 at 10:25 PM.
Well, Ford might not quite be at the brink of bankruptcy, but they could probably spit into the abyss while GM has one leg in and a pit bull hanging from its ankle. Both I attribute to bad and shortsighted business decisions and product planning.
On the bright side, Mulally (sp-?) seems to be bringing some rationality and clear headedness into the insular upper echelons of Ford's management, especially with bringing over Ford EU's many superb products and unifying car platforms and development across all their operations. Done properly, and it can be done very badly too, this could really improve Ford NA's product lineup and, then and thus, their bottom line.
On the bright side, Mulally (sp-?) seems to be bringing some rationality and clear headedness into the insular upper echelons of Ford's management, especially with bringing over Ford EU's many superb products and unifying car platforms and development across all their operations. Done properly, and it can be done very badly too, this could really improve Ford NA's product lineup and, then and thus, their bottom line.
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Well, Ford might not quite be at the brink of bankruptcy, but they could probably spit into the abyss while GM has one leg in and a pit bull hanging from its ankle. Both I attribute to bad and shortsighted business decisions and product planning.
On the bright side, Mulally (sp-?) seems to be bringing some rationality and clear headedness into the insular upper echelons of Ford's management, especially with bringing over Ford EU's many superb products and unifying car platforms and development across all their operations. Done properly, and it can be done very badly too, this could really improve Ford NA's product lineup and, then and thus, their bottom line.
On the bright side, Mulally (sp-?) seems to be bringing some rationality and clear headedness into the insular upper echelons of Ford's management, especially with bringing over Ford EU's many superb products and unifying car platforms and development across all their operations. Done properly, and it can be done very badly too, this could really improve Ford NA's product lineup and, then and thus, their bottom line.
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I think we might be running into an issue of semantics here. The Focus has indeed used Control Blade from the start, but the Focus has also been a Euro car from the start which is why I assumed Moosetang meant the original C170-based model when he said Euro Focus, and that is still what I suspect he meant.
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I think we might be running into an issue of semantics here. The Focus has indeed used Control Blade from the start, but the Focus has also been a Euro car from the start which is why I assumed Moosetang meant the original C170-based model when he said Euro Focus, and that is still what I suspect he meant.
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Yes, which will be a 2015, debuting in in 2014 ( the same way the 2010 will be available in 2009, on the actual April 17 anniv date. )
GRWD is still on hold. No decision has been made on the platform. It could be an updated improved, IRS equipped D2C, but it may not be global, unless Australia doesn't ditch the Falcon in favor of the Mondeo.
Of course, if Ford built the MKR or some other RWD Lincoln and then used it to launch the brand in Europe, ( as well as Asia Pacific to battle Buick and Cadillac ) then we 'd have something
GRWD is still on hold. No decision has been made on the platform. It could be an updated improved, IRS equipped D2C, but it may not be global, unless Australia doesn't ditch the Falcon in favor of the Mondeo.
Of course, if Ford built the MKR or some other RWD Lincoln and then used it to launch the brand in Europe, ( as well as Asia Pacific to battle Buick and Cadillac ) then we 'd have something
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Yes, which will be a 2015, debuting in in 2014 ( the same way the 2010 will be available in 2009, on the actual April 17 anniv date. )
GRWD is still on hold. No decision has been made on the platform. It could be an updated improved, IRS equipped D2C, but it may not be global, unless Australia doesn't ditch the Falcon in favor of the Mondeo.
Of course, if Ford built the MKR or some other RWD Lincoln and then used it to launch the brand in Europe, ( as well as Asia Pacific to battle Buick and Cadillac ) then we 'd have something
GRWD is still on hold. No decision has been made on the platform. It could be an updated improved, IRS equipped D2C, but it may not be global, unless Australia doesn't ditch the Falcon in favor of the Mondeo.
Of course, if Ford built the MKR or some other RWD Lincoln and then used it to launch the brand in Europe, ( as well as Asia Pacific to battle Buick and Cadillac ) then we 'd have something
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Well, I hope Ford aren't short sighted. They need to stick with GRWD as, by the time it debuts I'd hope fuel prices will have settled and CAFE rules will be better understood.
GM have, to a degree, bottled it with the Zeta platform (just the G8 and Camaro), so Ford should use GM's caution to their advantage. If GRWD is launched in 2013/14, Ford could have a platform to trump the competition.
GM have, to a degree, bottled it with the Zeta platform (just the G8 and Camaro), so Ford should use GM's caution to their advantage. If GRWD is launched in 2013/14, Ford could have a platform to trump the competition.
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Lighter, smaller, and finally an independent **** end.
EcoBoost four and six cylinder turbocharged direct injected gas engines,
Ethanol Boost (ethanol boosted gas engines that deliver diesel-like fuel economy and power)
No more V8's...No more "factory" Shelbys, No more Special Editions that recall the past,
No more Retro (Global Design "teams" up early 2009 with US studio which already
has design mock up but not locked in)
To keep all this down in cost the Next Generation Mustang will be sold globally in left and right hand drives. Advanced safety features include inflatable safety belts.
FYI: The world faces a serious oil supply crunch within five to 10 years that may drive prices up to more than $200 a barrel by 2013, the world is expected to consume 94.1 million barrels per day. That's an average consumption growth of 1.6 percent a year. The agency predicts that "developing countries will drive demand growth, their total consumption equaling that of mature economies by 2015.
EcoBoost four and six cylinder turbocharged direct injected gas engines,
Ethanol Boost (ethanol boosted gas engines that deliver diesel-like fuel economy and power)
No more V8's...No more "factory" Shelbys, No more Special Editions that recall the past,
No more Retro (Global Design "teams" up early 2009 with US studio which already
has design mock up but not locked in)
To keep all this down in cost the Next Generation Mustang will be sold globally in left and right hand drives. Advanced safety features include inflatable safety belts.
FYI: The world faces a serious oil supply crunch within five to 10 years that may drive prices up to more than $200 a barrel by 2013, the world is expected to consume 94.1 million barrels per day. That's an average consumption growth of 1.6 percent a year. The agency predicts that "developing countries will drive demand growth, their total consumption equaling that of mature economies by 2015.
Still, I am looking to replace my 2005 with a 5.0 litre '10, '11 or '12 GT (whenever it becomes available). But it will probably be my last Mustang if the V8 is dropped.
