S550 Documentary : 'A Faster Horse'

[Vlad Soare]

I'm sure the team that put together the S650 was every bit as dedicated as Dave's.

It may have been, but I get the feeling they gave in to some external pressures to which Dave's team managed to resist. I'm sure there was pressure back then to install an electric hand brake, given that all Ford models had either switched already, or were just in the process of switching. But they resisted. I'm sure the pressure to install a stop&start system must have been enormous, and that he and his team must have jumped through huge hoops to meet the emissions targets without it. And yet they made it.
It seems to me that the S650 team, as dedicated as it may have been, took the easy way out in some respects.
Also, Dave's team created a stunning and completely new design, exterior as well as interior, whereas the S650 team came up with a facelift. A beautiful facelift, to be sure, but a facelift nonetheless.

I'm also willing to bet that many of our original impressions about the S650 will change when the car is actual built and shipped. It always does.

For those of us not around in 2014 need I remind you of the negative talk about the S550. No different now than then.

Maybe. We'll have to wait and see.
For now I'm a bit skeptical about that though. Because the negative initial impressions about the S550 were mostly due to the design and the IRS. Design is a subjective thing, and given enough time you can come to like it eventually. And the IRS, for all its downsides, has also some massive upsides which people come to appreciate over time.
Whereas my complaints about the S650 aren't about aesthetics. No matter how much time you allow to pass, I will never, ever, for as long as I live, come to terms with that stupid stop&start crap. We've had it in Europe for a decade already, and I still hate it, so it is extremely unlikely that I will ever even accept it, let alone like it. The electric handbrake, as opposed to the IRS, has absolutely no practical upsides.
One of these things is a cost reduction measure, while the other is an obvious nod to ecomentalism.
The S550 is a proper Mustang. If you look up "political incorrectness" in a dictionary, you'll see a picture of it. Whenever I drive it I feel like I'm giving that insane Swedish girl and all of her followers the middle finger. The S650, on the other hand, is a Mustang that wears a ribbon. A politically correct Mustang. It just doesn't feel right.

That's why I'm not sure our (or my, at least) impressions will change like it happened with the S550 after 2014. Because it's somehow not the same situation. Design choices and technical innovations on one side, cost reduction and political correctness on the other.

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[Bikeman315]

It may have been, but I get the feeling they gave in to some external pressures to which Dave's team managed to resist. I'm sure there was pressure back then to install an electric hand brake, given that all Ford models had either switched already, or were just in the process of switching. But they resisted. I'm sure the pressure to install a stop&start system must have been enormous, and that he and his team must have jumped through huge hoops to meet the emissions targets without it. And yet they made it.
It seems to me that the S650 team, as dedicated as it may have been, took the easy way out in some respects.
Also, Dave's team created a stunning and completely new design, exterior as well as interior, whereas the S650 team came up with a facelift. A beautiful facelift, to be sure, but a facelift nonetheless.


Maybe. We'll have to wait and see.
For now I'm a bit skeptical about that though. Because the negative initial impressions about the S550 were mostly due to the design and the IRS. Design is a subjective thing, and given enough time you can come to like it eventually. And the IRS, for all its downsides, has also some massive upsides which people come to appreciate over time.
Whereas my complaints about the S650 aren't about aesthetics. No matter how much time you allow to pass, I will never, ever, for as long as I live, come to terms with that stupid stop&start crap. We've had it in Europe for a decade already, and I still hate it, so it is extremely unlikely that I will ever even accept it, let alone like it. The electric handbrake, as opposed to the IRS, has absolutely no practical upsides.
One of these things is a cost reduction measure, while the other is an obvious nod to ecomentalism.
The S550 is a proper Mustang. If you look up "political incorrectness" in a dictionary, you'll see a picture of it. Whenever I drive it I feel like I'm giving that insane Swedish girl and all of her followers the middle finger. The S650, on the other hand, is a Mustang that wears a ribbon. A politically correct Mustang. It doesn't feel right.

That's why I'm not sure our (or my, at least) impressions will change like it happened with the S550 after 2014. Because it's somehow not the same situation. Design choices and technical innovations on one side, cost reduction and political correctness on the other.

You make some excellent points Vlad but the world we live in today is just so different than when Dave was putting together the S550. There was no doubt that there would be a successor to the S197. That cannot be said about the S650, especially a V8 S650. I’m sure the team did their best with the tools they were given. Remember most of the cars content is decided before going to the design team.

 

[Vlad Soare]

That's true. I guess we should be grateful that there will be an S650 at all.

I remember how impressed I was when the S197 came out and I read about it in car magazines, back in 2004 or so. It looked absolutely stunning. I was so in love with it that I considered importing one on my own, but sadly I couldn't afford it at the time. Even today I still go weak in the knees when I see one, either in the flesh (there are a few around here) or in pictures.
Only yesterday I came side by side with a black convertible one at a traffic light. I revved the engine, the guy looked at me and I gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and reciprocated. Stunning looking car. I love my S550 to bits, but the S197 will always have a special place in my heart.

 

[Semp1]

That's true. I guess we should be grateful that there will be an S650 at all.

It should not be called an S650. It’s a refresh to the same extent that the S197 is from 2011 vs 2005. And I only say 2011 and not 2010 because that’s when they added the coyote to it.

 

[IPOGT]

Oh, so Dave Pericak isn't in charge of Mustangs anymore? I didn't know that. That explains why the S650 is the way it is then. Pity.

It was his passion that I found most appealing in the movie; it was obvious that he loved his job and really wanted to make a truely awesome Mustang in line with the times. And to be honest I can see and feel this passion when I drive my Mustang. One of the reasons I love it so much is that everything about it makes me feel that it was made by someone who really enjoyed making it. Someone who went out of their way to work around technical difficulties and laws and regulations in order to give us a proper Mustang, not a lame Eurobox with a pony on its nose. I feel Dave Pericak's passion every time I drive it.
A car with a proper handbrake, no stop&start crap, and an exhaust sound to die for... you must be mad to sell that in Europe these days. And yet he did it.
With him gone, no wonder the S650 turned out like it did.

Where the new car just says…geez what the hell are we gonna do with this thing now?

 

[IPOGT]

That's true. I guess we should be grateful that there will be an S650 at all.

I remember how impressed I was when the S197 came out and I read about it in car magazines, back in 2004 or so. It looked absolutely stunning. I was so in love with it that I considered importing one on my own, but sadly I couldn't afford it at the time. Even today I still go weak in the knees when I see one, either in the flesh (there are a few around here) or in pictures.
Only yesterday I came side by side with a black convertible one at a traffic light. I revved the engine, the guy looked at me and I gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and reciprocated. Stunning looking car. I love my S550 to bits, but the S197 will always have a special place in my heart.

I’m sure the new team did the best they could. My apprentice used to do the best he could too. Unfortunately, there are the best people for the job and those who can do it well enough.

 

[ajsfirehawk]

I watched it yesterday. I found it interesting. I saw it as a study in leadership, some history, some project management.

 

[WItoTX]

Interesting documentary. I was hoping to see more behind the scenes, but I kind of figured that part would be off limits. Good information in there, thanks for posting OP.

 

[1958cyclist]

Dave left the Mustang program just after the S550 started shipping in 2014 so it's been awhile. Also Dave had an amazing team working with him that brought the S550 to fruition. I'm sure the team that put together the S650 was every bit as dedicated as Dave's. I'm also willing to bet that many of our original impressions about the S650 will change when the car is actual built and shipped. It always does.

For those of us not around in 2014 need I remind you of the negative talk about the S550. No different now than then.

Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company
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    • • Recruited to the role to launch Ford’s new Enterprise Product Line Management Group in addition to managing its end-to-end vehicle line P&L for Ford’s Bronco, Mustang, Mach-E, Raptor, Ford GT, ST and RS brands. Additionally, handle strategy, product planning, and program executions from program inception to program approvals at the CEO level.Recruited to the role to launch Ford’s new Enterprise Product Line Management Group in addition to managing its end-to-end vehicle line P&L for Ford’s Bronco, Mustang, Mach-E, Raptor, Ford GT, ST and RS brands. Additionally, handle strategy, product planning, and program executions from program inception to program approvals at the CEO level.
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    Global Director Ford PerformanceGlobal Director Ford Performance
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        - Negotiated signing of Stewart Haas Racing to Ford from Chevy- Created the organization and named it “Ford Performance” - Included performance vehicles and global racing operations - Led the development/creation of: Ford Raptor, Shelby GT 500, Focus RS and Ford GT Supercar. - Led development of both road and race car - Led team that returned to LeMans 50yrs after the iconic Ford vs Ferrari win and won the race! - Responsible for NASCAR, IMSA & all forms of racing - Led the NASCAR team to a Championship in 2018 - Negotiated signing of Stewart Haas Racing to Ford from Chevy
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Dave certainly has been moving around quite a bit since being head engineer on the S550. I guess this is what Ford corporate does when you do a good job? Maybe he's being groomed for something larger? I know the head exterior stylist Kemal Curic was moved out to California, and put in charge of Lincoln styling. I guess that's considered a promotion?

 

[1958cyclist]

I have the DVD and did watch it twice. Interesting what I did miss on the first run through. I have to agree that every time I start mine up, I feel the same pride and enthusiasm as the design team that pulled it altogether. My only goal now is to have Kemal Curic sign my dash. I wonder if does signings?

 

[1958cyclist]

That's true. I guess we should be grateful that there will be an S650 at all.

I remember how impressed I was when the S197 came out and I read about it in car magazines, back in 2004 or so. It looked absolutely stunning. I was so in love with it that I considered importing one on my own, but sadly I couldn't afford it at the time. Even today I still go weak in the knees when I see one, either in the flesh (there are a few around here) or in pictures.
Only yesterday I came side by side with a black convertible one at a traffic light. I revved the engine, the guy looked at me and I gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and reciprocated. Stunning looking car. I love my S550 to bits, but the S197 will always have a special place in my heart.

Agreed. I have several friends who own later S197's and they are beautiful looking cars. As many know, the S197 was originally slated to have IRS, but an upper level bean counter convinced top management that the company could save money by staying with the stick rear. I've only seen this story once, and wish I could remember where. If memory serves, I think when the dollars came to rest, the stick rear actually cost more per unit than the IRS, as per the story. If anyone can locate this bit of history, please feel free to post.

My guess is that you don't see it bandied about much, as I think Ford was trying to protect this individual. I remember not seeing his name actually used, he was only referred to as a high level financial person.

 

[DarthMalice]

One of my favorite movies honestly...thought it was really well done. Pericak lost some respect in my eyes though when he got on board with putting the Mustang name and pony on that grocery getter appliance. Don't tell me he knows what a Mustang is and then he gets behind that monstrosity. I would have fallen on my sword over that...full stop. I also think they caved on the exhaust sound of the 15-17 GT due to international pressures...it was way too quiet. Quiet mode on my Mach 1 seems louder than my stock 16 GT did.

 

[Bikeman315]

Pericak lost some respect in my eyes though when he got on board with putting the Mustang name and pony on that grocery getter appliance. Don't tell me he knows what a Mustang is and then he gets behind that monstrosity. I would have fallen on my sword over that...full stop.

You have to know what battles are worth fighting. Dave knew he couldn't win this one so he agreed to live and fight for another day. He knew what he was doing. If the Mach-E had not been the success it has been we might not have a V8 S650.

I also think they caved on the exhaust sound of the 15-17 GT due to international pressures...it was way too quiet. Quiet mode on my Mach 1 seems louder than my stock 16 GT did.

May be but they fixed this in 2018 so there is that.

 

[DarthMalice]

Guess S650 might have not made it if it was on me...or I would have been fired...no way am I signing onto a CUV wearing a mustang badge.

Yes they fixed exhaust in 18, but at the time of the video and in retrospect it was a mistake.

 

[MAGS1]

You have to know what battles are worth fighting. Dave knew he couldn't win this one so he agreed to live and fight for another day. He knew what he was doing. If the Mach-E had not been the success it has been we might not have a V8 S650.

This 100%. Ford obviously thought he was the best for the job and he likely wasn’t given a whole lot of choice. I still think he’s one of the best guests on Jay Leno’s garage when he talked with Jay about the S550 GT500. Jay had him on again for the Mach E GT and I believe he was on at least once to talk about the Ford GT and the return to LeMans.

And Farley himself pretty much confirmed that the success of the entire lineup of electric vehicles gave them the ability for a V8 in the S650 and potentially beyond if there’s enough consumer demand. So while some folks bash the fact that the Mustang name is attached to the Mach E, you are 100% correct that the Mach E saved our beloved V8 for at least one more generation.

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