KZStang
Guest
- Thread starter
- #1
Ok I did the best I could, not being a designer myself. Love it or hate it, this is what I see happening. Agree or disagree, let's hear it.
I pulled together some info based on Ford's own words about its new global design language, its other vehicles and people who have claimed to see it with their own eyes. As usual, with the caveat that before we see it from Ford, this is all just educated guesswork. Hopefully we see a full prototype soon, but there's so much talk about retro vs. modern, American vs. European, etc. that I think it's worth a new thread apart from the renders.
Design Language
Details, Details, Details
So what does this mean for the individual design elements of the 2015 Mustang?
My guesses:
1. Single trapezoid grille leading up to the edge of the hood over a smaller air inlet
I'll start with what's probably the most controversial of the bunch.....
“New Face of Ford”
When Ford calls the trapezoid grille (opposed to the “inverse trapezoid” in the Kinetic design) the new face of Ford, they mean it. Literally. The grille, a feature that has its share of fans and deterrents alike, has made its way in almost all of Ford’s recent lineup of cars -- and most notably, the 2013 Ford Fusion. Mays has stated that the inverse trapezoid grille will continue to evolve and make its way higher up along the edge of the hood which gives the Evos a shark-like nose reminiscent of the Mustang’s distinct front fascia. Ford has chosen this grille for a “visual sense of premium quality” which basically means it makes the car look more expensive than it really is. The new front fascia is also moving away from the traditional two grille design of Kinetic in place of a singular grille as seen on modern Aston Martins. “We’ve tried to eliminate one of the grilles on the vehicle, and focus on the other. And what that does is allow us to have a smaller inlet, gives us better aerodynamics, and also, I think, looks much more premium.”
See 23:30 Mark
2. Razor cut headlights with standard xenon lamps
Technical Graphics
Refers to the lamps and lower body addenda. J Mays has stated that “headlamps seem to be growing to absurd proportions. They’ve become less about technology and more about design flourish and style. And we think that’s reached its complete evolution. So we’re going to the minimal height for the headlamps and the tail lamps and we’re going to let the technology speak for the graphics rather than overt style.” The headlamps on the Evos are rendered in LEDs “designed in such a way that you probably haven’t seen before.” Will every future Ford model get “razor-cut” headlamps such as these? Yes, Mays has said that he is committed to LED headlamps on every new Ford, although we’ll have to see if those make it past the accountants.
Bottom Line: Expecting the 2015 Mustang to get a thinner, smaller, more pushed back sweeping headlamps, similar, but not identical to the ones found on the 2013 Fusion. While I would love to see full LED head lamps, I expect the 2015 Mustang to have fog lights with LED turn signals while retaining the same xenon head lamps in the current generation. One possibility is that the higher trims such as the GT500 and other SVT special editions will utilize new LED headlamps since cost will become a major factor for the base and GT Mustangs. Another possibility is rear LED fog lights (required for European sales) which would be embedded between the exhausts on the lower diffuser.
3. Slightly sloped front fascia
A much speculated design change and one predicated on European pedestrian crash safety regulations, the 2015 Mustang will likely sport a more shapely and sloped front fascia as seen in spy photos last year. Such a design would mean a lower profile with a slight bulged hood to compensate for the smaller engine bay and mostly unchanged premium engine options.
4. Modified Rear Quarter Window
One of the lesser discussed elements of the Mustang redesign is the rear quarter window that has become a staple on Mustangs. I believe Ford will "close the gap" between the front and rear windows. This is one simple design change that can give the 2015 Mustang a sleeker and more modern (less retro) look between the B and C pillars.
5. Sharp lines
This is a design element seen on the Ford Evos concept and I believe the 2015 Mustang will get a healthy dose of sharper lines. Sharp top of the front fender starting above the headlamps, fading before the base of the "rear viewing elements" that spring from the window trim. This would give the Mustang a much needed twin bulge at the front fender to account for a more sloping front fascia.
6. A Mustang Rear
Expecting the 2015 Mustang to retain most of the rear design elements of the current Mustang. This is one way the Mustang can satisfy both the Mustang faithful and new fans alike while still complying with safety regulations. The triple rear taillights, important to the Mustang identity, should go largely untouched, with a possible slimmer design and move upward closer to the lip of the trunk.
I pulled together some info based on Ford's own words about its new global design language, its other vehicles and people who have claimed to see it with their own eyes. As usual, with the caveat that before we see it from Ford, this is all just educated guesswork. Hopefully we see a full prototype soon, but there's so much talk about retro vs. modern, American vs. European, etc. that I think it's worth a new thread apart from the renders.
Design Language
1. Class it up
Expect the 2015 Mustang to look and feel more expensive. This will result from the combination of two pillars of the future global design language from Ford. Silhouette Innovation and Refined Surface Language.
Silhouette Innovation
According to J Mays, the first pillar of Ford’s new design language represents a profile “that defines your automobile and looks different than most of the other cars in a particular class on the road.”
Refined Surface Language
Refers to a “smoothing out” of kinetically sculpted body surfaces, among them the architectural fenders, creased door skins, and sculpted hoods. This directive also appears to be a reaction to other manufacturers that Mays claims have “annexed” and subsequently exaggerated Ford’s Kinetic motifs. Ford is going in “exactly the opposite direction” now, he said, keeping what he called the “excitement” of Kinetic design but rendered in “beautiful shapes you’d love to run your hands over.”
Bottom Line: The 2015 Mustang will likely benefit from a more refined and sophisticated exterior, and a few touches of chrome (lip of grille perhaps?). The interior may benefit from higher quality materials (soft touch plastics, higher quality leather/alcantara, leather stitching like that of the California Special editions and slightly better trim)
2. Size Matters
Perceived Efficiency
This element is about visual lightness and sleekness. “We’d like to have lightweight pillars and a teardrop cabin where the lines on the side disappear at a vanishing point somewhere around 100 yards behind the car," said J Mays regarding Ford's new global design. Think less traditional three-box sedan and more four-door coupe. In other words, thinner pillars and a C pillar which joins the rear fender/trunk in a subtle tapered way. This will help reduce weight without overly cramping the rear and cabin space.
Bottom Line: The Evos concept ushered in a lighter and sleeker design language for Ford. However, Ford understands a big part of the appeal of the Mustang is its visual aggressiveness and "muscle car" looks. Expect the 2015 Mustang to make use of lighter internals such as more aluminum in its undercarriage while eliminating some of the rear overhang bulk and while giving the car a more shapely front and rear fascia to give it a sleeker look while maintaining its overall muscle. I expect the C pillar to form at a slightly less-than full-fastback while the B pillar may vanish behind a less floaty rear glass that comes together with the front window.
3. Functional Design
Expecting the 2015 Mustang to maintain Ford's commitment to "form follows function." Design engineering is a central focus of Ford design as shown in the latest iteration of the Mustang. Mustang Chief Engineer, Dave Pericak, has stated that a major part of the Mustang DNA is that it is authentic and real. This means that new functions and content introduced – such as the 2013 Mustang hood vents are functional and not merely cosmetic which determines both whether and where the hood vents may be placed. Form follows function – the way it should be.
See 2:00 Mark.
Expect the 2015 Mustang to look and feel more expensive. This will result from the combination of two pillars of the future global design language from Ford. Silhouette Innovation and Refined Surface Language.
Silhouette Innovation
According to J Mays, the first pillar of Ford’s new design language represents a profile “that defines your automobile and looks different than most of the other cars in a particular class on the road.”
Refined Surface Language
Refers to a “smoothing out” of kinetically sculpted body surfaces, among them the architectural fenders, creased door skins, and sculpted hoods. This directive also appears to be a reaction to other manufacturers that Mays claims have “annexed” and subsequently exaggerated Ford’s Kinetic motifs. Ford is going in “exactly the opposite direction” now, he said, keeping what he called the “excitement” of Kinetic design but rendered in “beautiful shapes you’d love to run your hands over.”
Bottom Line: The 2015 Mustang will likely benefit from a more refined and sophisticated exterior, and a few touches of chrome (lip of grille perhaps?). The interior may benefit from higher quality materials (soft touch plastics, higher quality leather/alcantara, leather stitching like that of the California Special editions and slightly better trim)
2. Size Matters
Perceived Efficiency
This element is about visual lightness and sleekness. “We’d like to have lightweight pillars and a teardrop cabin where the lines on the side disappear at a vanishing point somewhere around 100 yards behind the car," said J Mays regarding Ford's new global design. Think less traditional three-box sedan and more four-door coupe. In other words, thinner pillars and a C pillar which joins the rear fender/trunk in a subtle tapered way. This will help reduce weight without overly cramping the rear and cabin space.
Bottom Line: The Evos concept ushered in a lighter and sleeker design language for Ford. However, Ford understands a big part of the appeal of the Mustang is its visual aggressiveness and "muscle car" looks. Expect the 2015 Mustang to make use of lighter internals such as more aluminum in its undercarriage while eliminating some of the rear overhang bulk and while giving the car a more shapely front and rear fascia to give it a sleeker look while maintaining its overall muscle. I expect the C pillar to form at a slightly less-than full-fastback while the B pillar may vanish behind a less floaty rear glass that comes together with the front window.
3. Functional Design
Expecting the 2015 Mustang to maintain Ford's commitment to "form follows function." Design engineering is a central focus of Ford design as shown in the latest iteration of the Mustang. Mustang Chief Engineer, Dave Pericak, has stated that a major part of the Mustang DNA is that it is authentic and real. This means that new functions and content introduced – such as the 2013 Mustang hood vents are functional and not merely cosmetic which determines both whether and where the hood vents may be placed. Form follows function – the way it should be.
See 2:00 Mark.
Details, Details, Details
So what does this mean for the individual design elements of the 2015 Mustang?
My guesses:
1. Single trapezoid grille leading up to the edge of the hood over a smaller air inlet
I'll start with what's probably the most controversial of the bunch.....
“New Face of Ford”
When Ford calls the trapezoid grille (opposed to the “inverse trapezoid” in the Kinetic design) the new face of Ford, they mean it. Literally. The grille, a feature that has its share of fans and deterrents alike, has made its way in almost all of Ford’s recent lineup of cars -- and most notably, the 2013 Ford Fusion. Mays has stated that the inverse trapezoid grille will continue to evolve and make its way higher up along the edge of the hood which gives the Evos a shark-like nose reminiscent of the Mustang’s distinct front fascia. Ford has chosen this grille for a “visual sense of premium quality” which basically means it makes the car look more expensive than it really is. The new front fascia is also moving away from the traditional two grille design of Kinetic in place of a singular grille as seen on modern Aston Martins. “We’ve tried to eliminate one of the grilles on the vehicle, and focus on the other. And what that does is allow us to have a smaller inlet, gives us better aerodynamics, and also, I think, looks much more premium.”
See 23:30 Mark
2. Razor cut headlights with standard xenon lamps
Technical Graphics
Refers to the lamps and lower body addenda. J Mays has stated that “headlamps seem to be growing to absurd proportions. They’ve become less about technology and more about design flourish and style. And we think that’s reached its complete evolution. So we’re going to the minimal height for the headlamps and the tail lamps and we’re going to let the technology speak for the graphics rather than overt style.” The headlamps on the Evos are rendered in LEDs “designed in such a way that you probably haven’t seen before.” Will every future Ford model get “razor-cut” headlamps such as these? Yes, Mays has said that he is committed to LED headlamps on every new Ford, although we’ll have to see if those make it past the accountants.
Bottom Line: Expecting the 2015 Mustang to get a thinner, smaller, more pushed back sweeping headlamps, similar, but not identical to the ones found on the 2013 Fusion. While I would love to see full LED head lamps, I expect the 2015 Mustang to have fog lights with LED turn signals while retaining the same xenon head lamps in the current generation. One possibility is that the higher trims such as the GT500 and other SVT special editions will utilize new LED headlamps since cost will become a major factor for the base and GT Mustangs. Another possibility is rear LED fog lights (required for European sales) which would be embedded between the exhausts on the lower diffuser.
3. Slightly sloped front fascia
A much speculated design change and one predicated on European pedestrian crash safety regulations, the 2015 Mustang will likely sport a more shapely and sloped front fascia as seen in spy photos last year. Such a design would mean a lower profile with a slight bulged hood to compensate for the smaller engine bay and mostly unchanged premium engine options.
4. Modified Rear Quarter Window
One of the lesser discussed elements of the Mustang redesign is the rear quarter window that has become a staple on Mustangs. I believe Ford will "close the gap" between the front and rear windows. This is one simple design change that can give the 2015 Mustang a sleeker and more modern (less retro) look between the B and C pillars.
5. Sharp lines
This is a design element seen on the Ford Evos concept and I believe the 2015 Mustang will get a healthy dose of sharper lines. Sharp top of the front fender starting above the headlamps, fading before the base of the "rear viewing elements" that spring from the window trim. This would give the Mustang a much needed twin bulge at the front fender to account for a more sloping front fascia.
6. A Mustang Rear
Expecting the 2015 Mustang to retain most of the rear design elements of the current Mustang. This is one way the Mustang can satisfy both the Mustang faithful and new fans alike while still complying with safety regulations. The triple rear taillights, important to the Mustang identity, should go largely untouched, with a possible slimmer design and move upward closer to the lip of the trunk.
Sponsored
