2015 Mustang Weight Gain

[Oblivion/2]

I'm convinced it will be lighter.

Ditto.

A chance to make it lighter comes once every 7-10 years with a platform change. As someone else pointed out, it's simply not happening mid-platform. Just as we can't expect horsepower to increase forever, the same goes for weight. Now, enthusiasts disagree on everything under the sun but less weight is not one of them. We can all agree it's long overdue to hit the reset button on that. I have to think Ford understands this and did everything it could spending its resources on something everyone wants.

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[Overboost]

I'm convinced it will be lighter.

Ditto.

That's nice. Don't be shocked when it gains a few hundred lbs.

 

[WRC]

Dear Ford,

By being lighter and cheaper.

In a short 2 years, neither will be true if some of these members are to be believed. So.... you draw your own conclusions, Ford. I hope you prove some people wrong.

 

[thePill]

In 2005, Ford pulled a little stunt to save weight... They originally designed the S197 without the structural support to handle the GT500. The 2007 GT weighed 150lbs more than the equally equipped GT from 2005.

The weight gain was due to the additional support required to handle the GT500's increased output BUT, was mainly due to the weight the SC 5.4 brought over the 4.6. Now, in 2011, the GT500 switched to an all aluminum block and brought the weight down another 125lbs (102 off the nose). The GT's also magically kept the same weight even with the Brembo's, 19x9's w/255's, new suspension and a new 5.0. While the 5.0 and Getrag are probably the lightest DOHC V8 and manual trans available, Ford poured a lot of that weight back into suspension/handling.

Back then, any structural re-enforcement in the convertible would also affect the coupe's curb weight. What Ford is doing now is using a dedicated "Convertible" chassis and a dedicated coupe. This process can be applied to the GT350 and GT500 programs. Most structural support comes in the form of an additional layer of sheet metal sandwiched between the chassis's original layers. This means, you cannot see any sub-frame connectors... the improvements are under the skin.

Now, this will drive the cost of the convertible's and SVT cars no doubt AND, it will increase weight (along with the special equipment)...

If Ford can get 88lbs out of the Fiesta without a redesign, can dramatically increase the size of the Fusion with little or no weight gain and pull 700lbs out of the F150... I don't think the Mustang will be the only vehicle in the lineup that gains weight, even after a slight downsizing.

 

[MPH]

I've had 7 Mustangs over the years and one of the biggest disappointments has been that each new gen gained weight and size. Granted it also gained power but the added power would have been put to better use if it didn't' weigh in at 3700+ lbs. Late one night years ago I pulled into a weigh station and asked the trooper if I could weigh my '89 LX 5.0 and if I remember correctly it was about 3300 lbs. Just imagine a 2015 weighing 3300 lbs with 450 hp.

 

[Red]

I can easily understand how the S550 could gain weight, but I'm firmly hoping for/expecting weight loss. I thought quite a while over buying a 2012-2013 Boss, but ultimately did not. Why? Even though I'm an engine guy first and foremost, and the Road Runner is one sweet little mill, the size and weight of the car (plus its huge butt) (on edit: and the somewhat 'concerning' shifter design, imo) ultimately caused me to decide to wait for the S550.

I was living fat, dumb, and happy -assuming- the S550 would shed 100-200 lbs from the S197, but some of the above comments are indeed worrisome.

Weight loss has such benefits from the CAFE standpoint that I'm still hopeful (and not hopefully whistling in the dark! )...

 

[fastback69]

I can easily understand how the S550 could gain weight, but I'm firmly hoping for/expecting weight loss. I thought quite a while over buying a 2012-2013 Boss, but ultimately did not. Why? Even though I'm an engine guy first and foremost, and the Road Runner is one sweet little mill, the size and weight of the car (plus its huge butt) (on edit: and the somewhat 'concerning' shifter design, imo) ultimately caused me to decide to wait for the S550.

I imagine many people held off on purchases expecting a weight loss for the S550. Ford has to know this, I'm not counting it out yet.

 

[SStormtrooPer]

That's nice. Don't be shocked when it gains a few hundred lbs.

Why are you so convinced the S550 is going to be heavier than the S197? Based on the fact it has been growing and gaining weight since 1965?

The way I see it, that would be valid if none of the below was true:

- S550 is on a new, higher tech platform that S197
- S550 is getting smaller, even if only a little
- Ford has Cafe requirements to meet
- Mustang fans have been asking for weight reduction for years
- Ford has committed to using exotic or lighter materials on its cars
- Ford has committed to using less platforms
- Ford has committed to shedding weight on ALL of its cars

S550 will be a world car -- a 3800lbs Mustang is not going to sell across the ocean, and this is the biggest change with this car.

In my line of work, up to date systems and IT is crucial. When it is time to upgrade systems, we don't buy brand new computers and install Windows 95 on them. It is no different with this -- Ford HAS to evolve and they know this. The American auto industry almost died because of it's stubbornness. That is the past.

 

[Oblivion/2]

That's nice. Don't be shocked when it gains a few hundred lbs.

Yea, that's nice. I'll gladly eat my words and face public ridicule if proved wrong. And you should be prepared to do the same.

There have been a lot of real solid facts cited by members here for why Ford would, should, and could drop some weight for the S550. So far all I hear from you is your word. Doesn't make it false, but sure doesn't make it true either. Unless you can point to something, it's all just pissing in the wind like the rest of us as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Diggitydog]

That's nice. Don't be shocked when it gains a few hundred lbs.

All I can say is it will make sense when it comes out.

Make sure that YOU aren't shocked when it drops weight. I'm not saying the 400 pound drop but it will drop.

All the voting will happen with the wallet. The car buying public is WAY more interested in the weight of vehicles than in the past. No way this platform will make it overseas as heavy as it is right now.

 

[thePill]

Overboost is ruffling your feathers... He was the exact person that told me the EVOS is NOT a hint to the next Mustang waaaaaaaaay back in 2011. He told me "Fusion/Mondeo maybe, but definitely not a Mustang (para). It's not because he doesn't know, it's because YOU are not suppose to know.

 

[tslim]

^^ I hope youre joking because that's just ridiculous. Back to the regularly scheduled programming unless someone can provide further reason to believe it is gaining weight (other than I told you so).

You know like details and facts. Those fun things.

 

[Callie]

Not that they can do anything about it now, but I hope Ford is reading this.

Judging by the reactions of even suggesting it will put on weight, I'd say Ford is going to have a MAJOR problem on their hands if it happens. You want to hand the Camaro victory for the next decade? This is how you do it.

 

[Dyno]

Why are you so convinced the S550 is going to be heavier than the S197? Based on the fact it has been growing and gaining weight since 1965?

The way I see it, that would be valid if none of the below was true:

- S550 is on a new, higher tech platform that S197
- S550 is getting smaller, even if only a little
- Ford has Cafe requirements to meet
- Mustang fans have been asking for weight reduction for years
- Ford has committed to using exotic or lighter materials on its cars
- Ford has committed to using less platforms
- Ford has committed to shedding weight on ALL of its cars

S550 will be a world car -- a 3800lbs Mustang is not going to sell across the ocean, and this is the biggest change with this car.

In my line of work, up to date systems and IT is crucial. When it is time to upgrade systems, we don't buy brand new computers and install Windows 95 on them. It is no different with this -- Ford HAS to evolve and they know this. The American auto industry almost died because of it's stubbornness. That is the past.

I'm going to play devil's advocate on your points.

- S550 is on a new, higher tech platform that S197

Do we really know that the S550 is going to be a higher tech platform? Is this just assumed because it's been almost 10 years between platform changes? More on this later.

- S550 is getting smaller, even if only a little

Do we actually know this to be true? A lot of people who have allegedly worked on the car or seen it have said the dimensions are about the same except for maybe a slightly lower ride height, wider track and somewhat smaller overhangs.

- Ford has Cafe requirements to meet

- Ford has CAFE requirements to meet based on fleet average. They've been pushing real hard with smaller displacement Ecoboost and hybrids across their lineup with the Focus, Fusion Fiesta etc. In spite of the Mustang perhaps? Also and I could be totally off base (correct me if I am) but the harshest CAFE standards kick in 2025 so Ford could technically ride it out until then and change platforms sooner than it has.

- Mustang fans have been asking for weight reduction for years

Well there's no denying this one but those requests have been mostly ignored by Ford. Hopefully they actually listen and realize that they will get crushed by competition if they dont this time around.

- Ford has committed to using exotic or lighter materials on its cars

Not sure where this one is coming from. I haven't heard Ford committing to this. They've been developing some techniques for mass production of carbon fiber pieces and they have the budget on the F150 to switch over to heavy use of aluminum but I'm not sure the Mustang will benefit from that (yet).

- Ford has committed to using less platforms

This can cut both ways. A lot of people on this forum have been saying that due to platform sharing it is possible the S550 will be modified from the CD4 platform which is a C/D mid sized sedan platform and that proportions have remained basically the same. This worries me because rumors about a 3-400lb lighter car only make sense if the car's dimensions have decreased by a lot or they are using copious amounts of aluminum/carbon fiber which conflicts with their other goal of keeping this thing affordable. Platform sharing means that a chassis built to support the minimal needs of a luxury sedan have to be made stronger for the demands of a high performance vehicle that may be pushing upwards of 600hp or more. Sure the Fusion is lighter while being biggerbut you can't expect they would just cut off the rear 2 doors and there's your Mustang. Whatever modifications will be needed to rework the FWD/transverse to AWD/RWD application would likely add weight as well.

- Ford has committed to shedding weight on ALL of its cars

As far as I know this is true and the reasons behind why they have committed to it are probably the best reasons for why it should be lighter. The competition is not messing around and the trend is most definitely towards lighter more efficient cars. I would hope that this commitment extends to its most iconic brand too... and one that has put on a ton of weight over the years.

 

[Overboost]

Well said Dyno.

Keep in mind the Mustang currently sells <100,000 units per year. Compared to the big players in the Ford lineup (F150, Fusion, Focus, Escape), we don't typically see the same type of radical thinking when it comes to things. It's the same reason vehicles like the F150 get fancy new tech before the rest of the lineup.

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