2015 Mustang S550 design thread

[Diesel]

Nice work KZ. Evos is simply a starting point for Ford. Like you said, I think it will be uniquely Mustang.

Also, the whole idea of "classic" mustang look really needs a new definition besides just looks like a Mustang I. It's constantly evolving with each generation.

You're talking about classic mustang and then saying they should start with the Evos??

No. They should start with the previous gens. If they want to make it less retro, they should work off of the Fox/SN95, not a totally different concept that they revealed in Germany.

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[KZStang]

No one knows for sure if the Evos concept is the starting point for the '15 Mustang. Certainly Ford has taken a few of its elements and put it on many of its vehicles (hood/grille, headlights, curves, etc).

I think what you said brings up an interesting point -- for the S197, had Ford simply kept evolving the Fox/SN95 design instead of scrapping it altogether for a modern interpretation of the classic Mustangs, the s550's rumored break from "retro" may not be so controversial right now.

The Fox/SN95 were certainly not met with universal love and there are still many who believe these are not true Mustangs, but the enthusiast community has learned to love these cars as well (they really had no choice, unless they wanted to take a several-decade hiatus from Mustangs).

Maybe the 10 year return of a "true Mustang" design with the S197 only to veer away from that now is too much of a mind f*** for some people, but I think it's time.

 

[MustangDizzle]

The SN95 design wasn't all that bad. The New Edge styling still looks good on a car with dropped suspension, fat tires. That was a good design.

The foxbody sucked. Period. Except for car enthusiasts, nobody these days even know what it is. My 14yo was driving with me and we get next to a 5.0 with seriously loud exhaust. He said, "Look at that loud piece of crap. What did he do, swap a mustang engine into it?" I said, "Buddy, that IS a Mustang". "Ya right, that doesn't look anything like a Mustang." " I know, but it is. That's a foxbody" "That's a fox? That thing looks terrible!!"

The S197 by far has been the best mustang design thus far.

The 2015, I have the feeling, is going to be awesome.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Yep, the SN95 can still look good

 

[pistolpete]

The Fox is still the car of choice for old school drag racers, but design wise I agree, I dont find a lot of people that think it's a real looker and esp not better than SN95. It seems like every time Ford tries to shed some serious weight, it manages to screw up the design.

I'm not even sure why people bring up the Fox/SN95 in the same topic all the time. They look NOTHING alike. The SN95 looks more like the S197 than it does the Fox.

If you think about it, the SN95 isn't too far off from what Ford is looking for in the next version. Curb weight around 3200? More mainstream/Modern design, a hood that looks like it could pass safety regs, more expensive feel (had more upscale interior vs. Fox), more refined driving experience, etc. They should just incorporate some of the Evos into the SN95

 

[stangray11]

The Sn95 used a heavily modified Fox body chassis so it makes perfect sense they're discussed together. Trust me, if the Fox was not a performer AND it looked like that, we'd be talking about it in the same sentence as the II right now. But design wise the Fox is the red headed stepchild of the Mustang history. The sn95 less so, but still looks nothing like the classic 60's.

I hear people say all the time that if Ford departs too much from the retro or classic look, it's sales will plummet. Total nonsense. IMO the S197 is the best looking mustang ever except maybe the 69 fastback, but look at facts.... the 99-04 stangs outsold the 05-09 ones and the fox body platform is probably the most mass produced mustang chassis ever.

 

[hawkeye]

The Mustang didn't survive 50 years by constantly chiseling off the same block. It took reinventing itself many times, something its competition never learned to do on its own. For the next gen, it's time for a new chapter.

I may be in the minority here since I'm a past but not current Mustang owner but I really don't want the '15 to look anything like the previous generations. You can buy any mustang made in the last 10 years and even the 2010 refresh if you want that look.

 

[KZStang]

Besides a modification of the now corporate grille and slimmer headlights, I still think the Evos inspiration will be more bones than skin. They want a sleeker, more refined muscle car with an overall lower profile and more upscale looking.

There was talk a while back from a supplier that claimed it will be a mix of Aston Martin DBS and Nissan 370Z look (which I take to mean more fastback), but still be musclar, with more curves than straight lines. I think the rear fender flare that Johnny's render has, is going to be seen as well, as it is one way to give it an aggressive stance even with a lowered nose & profile.

 

[CoyoteMan]

Well if the last C&D render is to be believed, it looks a lot like an evolution of the SN95. I agree it makes more sense to me to evolve a previous mustang design than start with a completely different concept.

Also with the evos grille, I dont see anything wrong with having a corporate grille as long as they make sure the one on the fusion, fiesta, focus and Mustang look completely unique to that model.

Look what the BMW does. It's just a constant evolution of its grille and makes it totally recognizable. No one complains that the M3 shares the same basic grille that it's SUV's do.

 

[StangFX]

The difference is the Mustang has been around for 50 yrs and never had a "corporate grille" that it shares with other cars in Ford's stable. It's not based on any previous Ford. The M3 came out in the 80's and is basically just a 3 series based performance BMW. The same reason it lacks a separate design DNA from the BMW brand itself which the Mustang definitely has.

 

[Mriley]

Has there really been any one element that has been on all generations of Mustangs? I don't even know if you can call the rear lights on the Fox as having the tri-bar.

 

[shelby1k]

Yep, the SN95 can still look good

Ah I love me some 4th gen Mach 1.... The sn95 era produced some of the nicest designed mustang special editions from the bullit to the mach 1. What I really want to see for 2015 is for them to throw some of those modern evos curves onto this black bullitt.

Has there really been any one element that has been on all generations of Mustangs? I don't even know if you can call the rear lights on the Fox as having the tri-bar.

What mustangs have all had in common with each other is more structural design I think. Pushed back cockpit leading to a longer hood and a shorter rear deck. As for individual traits, I'd say the side scallops and 3 section tail lights are about as iconic as anything you'll find. They've diverged from it in the past and may do it again in the next gen, but you'll see at least one of those. And the running pony is NOT a design element... I better be able to recognize it without it!

 

[MustangDizzle]

Well if the last C&D render is to be believed, it looks a lot like an evolution of the SN95. I agree it makes more sense to me to evolve a previous mustang design than start with a completely different concept.

Also with the evos grille, I dont see anything wrong with having a corporate grille as long as they make sure the one on the fusion, fiesta, focus and Mustang look completely unique to that model.

More like this:

 

[BoostedSVT]

Looks like C&D forgot Mustang fans already rejected the Probe design once.

Shelby1k: careful calling the mustang just a long hood/short rear design. The probe fits this description too. A widemouth grill is definitely also part of its DNA.

 

[RIParker]

The difference is the Mustang has been around for 50 yrs and never had a "corporate grille" that it shares with other cars in Ford's stable. It's not based on any previous Ford. The M3 came out in the 80's and is basically just a 3 series based performance BMW. The same reason it lacks a separate design DNA from the BMW brand itself which the Mustang definitely has.

It was based off the Ford Falcon. Yea design wise it is unique... to Ford and in general as a class of sports car.

Personally I think this whole OneFord thing should be more than just about sharing across platforms and unity among Ford vehicles but be about having a more cohesive design language within each brand. The mustang brand would benefit from a clearly defined design stamp. Each generations styling is all over the place and we have whole decades that are complete outliers (Fox being most obvious).

The mustang brand could benefit from a unified look going forward. I dont think it has to be boring or look the same each generation. They should take a page from Aston Martin which I think has done a great job at evolving its design while staying relevant.

I love how they evolved their look over time yet it hasn't made it boring or held them back from turning a classic into a modern and exciting design. Dont get me wrong, one of the reasons I bought the '08 was its tribute to the original, but between the s197 and the '65, there's a whole lotta slop IMO. Ford should focus on consistency now since it has the next 50 years to worry about.

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