I'll add my speculation on the S550 code, which I doubt is right, but ya never know...
S = carry over from the last couple models for Sports
5 = to represent the 5 of T-5 (Mustang I)
50 = 50th anniversary
Just for the sake of discussion... Assuming torque remained the same at 8000rpm as the respective peak power RPMs listed above, you'd have the following:
Ferrari example at 8000rpm: 500hp
Hyundai example at 8000rpm: 536hp
Fully agree... A passenger car is not going to overload a well constructed wheel to get it to deflect by any reasonable measure. A lot of other crap is going to fail long before its a wheel issue.
Reminds me of Sebastien Buemi's crash due to suspension failure. Watch as the wheels fly off...
I think this is the latest on the weight discussion from Ford, which was back on January 14th.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2015-mustang-chief-engineer-interview-can-t-wait-for-people-to-drive-it-74692.html
I'll add my logic... Looking back at every power increase from the 4th generation through today, the average increase was 11%. If you remove the change from the old modular engine to the Coyote, the average is 8%. The smallest increase was 2% (change from 2012 to 2013). So applying those...
I don't see them adding weight to the Mustang. Especially since ultimately their benchmarks for performance are the 911 and M3. My internal speculation odds are like this: 50%, >100lbs loss; 40%, remains within +\-100lbs; 10%, >100lbs gain.
Furthermore, aren't they dropping like 700lbs from...
I'm sure there will be some dealer(s) out there that put some ridiculous ADM on it when it comes out. But I agree with your shock they'd be beyond stupid to put the MSRP anywhere near that figure.
In addition to the Mustang GT, I'm considering the S3 or MKVII Golf R and maybe a used C63. However, the C63 repair costs will probably keep me from going that route unless I find a deal I can't pass up.