2015 Mustang Weight Gain

[mitchell]

I assume you are referring to CD4?

Not exactly, but they are relatives.

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[Lavien]

I figured as much, as that is logical -- I could swear I remember seeing an article that IRS was lighter. I may be thinking of the original IRS that was designed for the S197.

That you are.

The IRS that was designed for the S197 was lighter than the solid axle? Is that true?

If so there should be no reason it cant be made lighter for the S550.

 

[Overboost]

I seem to remember bringing this up and getting crucified for it. 400 lbs lighter is a stretch, and, like others have said, the additional weight is coming from migration to a new platform, new safety features, and new technology being kicked off with the S550. Rumors are just that, rumor, and as more and more factual info trickles out, be prepared for some things not to stick.

 

[DJ]

Are you agreeing with OP that it will gain weight or just saying 400 pounds is a stretch and we may not lose that much, if any?

 

[HTownStang]

4 banger and eb/6 should be a lot lighter, w/the coyote...what do you think?

I dont know about "a lot lighter" - the 4 banger could be approx 100 pounds lighter than the coyote from what I have read.

What is the EB/6?

If what mitchell posted is true, I would expect the weight gain is across the board built into the chassis. My guess is Ford could still claim that weight has remained the same (or even slightly lighter) advertising the lightest base weight (I4) Mustang.

 

[5.0GT]

I dont know about "a lot lighter" - the 4 banger could be approx 100 pounds lighter than the coyote from what I have read.

What is the EB/6?

If what mitchell posted is true, I would expect the weight gain is across the board built into the chassis. My guess is Ford could still claim that weight has remained the same (or even slightly lighter) advertising the lightest base weight (I4) Mustang.

Eb= ecoboost

 

[HTownStang]

Eb= ecoboost

Sorry should've been more clear. I know its ecoboost. I'm asking who said we are getting an EB6? The EB4 seems set in stone. I wouldn't bank on another one so soon.

 

[crysalis_01]

The only way I see an EB6 entering the fray is if Ford eventually tosses the standard V6 and replaces its spot in the linen up with the EB4 at say 310-320hp. Eben in that situation you'd see them utilize a EBnano2.9 and not the 3.5. You position that one at for about 380-400hp and then push the Coyote up to the rumored 475hp.


I'm just not convinced Ford is ready to go that route...YET. Ford has stated many times that a predominantly EB driven line-up is their goal, I just see Mustang as the slowest model to adopt this.

 

[NRMStand]

It wasn't exactly all rumor tho. This came directly from a general statement that Ford made about every vehicle in the line up which is what sparked all the assumptions about size and weight of the s550.

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/04/ford-planning-to-slash-vehicle-weight-up-to-700-lbs/

“In the mid-term, from now to 2017 or 2018, we’ll remove anywhere from 250 to 700 pounds depending on the vehicle,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s global product chief.

The move attempts to reverse course for Ford, which has faced the same dilemma as its competitors. The typical automobile is today hundreds of pounds heavier than a similar model of a decade ago. That reflects the addition of such creature comforts as onboard navigation systems, 15-speak audio packages and heated leather seats – as well as airbags, advanced braking systems and the complex safety structures required of modern cars.

Though it’s more of a guideline than a hard rule, the traditional consensus was that every 100 pounds added or removed from a vehicle translates into a mile per gallon difference in mileage, so Ford’s target could translate into significant savings in fuel.

It’s possible to find ways to slice out weight in an existing product, noted Kuzak, during a dinner conversation, like switching from a steel body panel to one made of aluminum or plastic. But to make truly major gains, “Weight reduction starts with new platforms,” the overall redesign of a vehicle, he stressed.

Ford’s former British subsidiary, Jaguar, was one of the more aggressive players in the weight reduction game, switching a number of models, such as the new XJ, from steel to lighter aluminum chasses and bodies. Ford has considered a similar approach for some of its products though the cost has been an obstacle.

Now, the industry is taking a close look at what could be the ultimate alternative to steel: carbon fiber, an extraordinarily strong and ultra-light material commonly used in Formula One race cars and a select group of road-going supercars from brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini. “Carbon fiber has potential if we can come up with ways to improve manufacturability and bring down costs,” cautioned Ford’s engineering czar Kuzak.

That’s a major challenge but one many believe is attainable. Toyota experimented with a new method of weaving the fabric-based carbon fiber for its Lexus LF-A supercar. BMW, meanwhile, has invested in carbon fiber production with the goal of coming up with new ways to mass produce the material.

One of the good things about cutting vehicle weight – by whatever method – is that it generates what Kuzak calls “secondary benefits.” Strip 500 pounds out of a midsize SUV he suggests, and you can migrate from a big V8 to a smaller V6, or perhaps even a four-cylinder version of Ford’s new EcoBoost powertrains.

That's a stated goal of at least 250 pounds per vehicle by 2018, only 3 years into the life of the S550. By 2023 and beyond, Ford will have vehicles that have shed upwards of 700 pounds and by then the S550 will have likely put on another 1-200 pounds as new features and equipment are added. You really expect the Mustang to go in the opposite direction of every new Ford vehicle they produce?

Don't forget they also have planned 20% fuel economy increase by 2020. All of this flies in the face of weight gains.

 

[mitchell]

Careful with these types of "general" goals for weight loss that are used as marketing. Special variants can be included.

If you notice, rumors of the 300-400 pounds weight loss surfaced around the time that certain details regarding SVT variant were leaked. There were details about significant carbon fiber use and a much higher price tag, all of which are true.

One should expect the 400 pound target to be reached with the SVT variant. Even with fewer equipment and lighter materials, it will be a challenge.

 

[Maestro5.0]

400 pounds lighter than what? The base V6? The GT500?

If the SVT model ends up 400 lbs lighter with a 5.2L (as current rumors suggest) and the regular S550's either don't lose weight or gain some, then there must be a crapload of CF used for the body unless we are talking about a track-focused stripper version, rear-seat delete, no power anything, optional ac etc etc.

That would mean that potentially all the weight is coming out of everything but the chassis. If true, that is going to be one expensive ass car and I will be very disappointed the money didn't go into the volume cars.

 

[FStephenMasek]

Get rid of the power windows and power locks (who needs them on a two door car), and sunroofs. Reduce assemblies into single more complex parts. DO NOT reduce durability.

 

[crysalis_01]

Don't most modern power window set ups weight less than traditional crank style systems? Also the packaging/design becomes more complex and clunky.

 

[Beastie]

Get rid of the power windows and power locks (who needs them on a two door car), and sunroofs. Reduce assemblies into single more complex parts. DO NOT reduce durability.

No way. Maybe on the SVT product, but not on a car that anyone is going to daily drive. That would guarantee epic failure in Europe too.

 

[SStormtrooPer]

400 pounds lighter than what? The base V6? The GT500?

V6 will shed weight from what it is now.
GT will shed from what it is now.
EB4 and GT350 will fit in somewhere.

It will have to be across all trim levels, whether it is 250 or 400. The weight will come out of the chassis for the most part because there is no argument for significant savings from the engine/drivetrain.

I would guess it could be more for a GT350 with CF being used more, and less for the base model where they use cheaper parts.

At the end of the day, the Mustang will be lighter than it is now regardless of which model you are in. And if it isn't, Ford is stupid because their two competitors ARE going to lose weight and people are paying attention to weight these days.

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