2017-'18 GT500 & GT500KR

[Stage_3]

LOL
then tell that to the Focus people.

LOL :lol:
The Focus is on the same platform as a Mustang GT500?!?

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[9secondko]

LOL :lol:
The Focus is on the same platform as a Mustang GT500?!?

Actually it's on a LESSER platform. Think about that while you sit in the corner young man!

:rant:

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

I am just not thinking there will be a 2017 GT500.

 

[Stage_3]

Actually it's on a LESSER platform. Think about that while you sit in the corner young man!

:rant:

Exactly.
So, why compare the Focus with the GT500??!?!!

 

[9secondko]

Exactly.
So, why compare the Focus with the GT500??!?!!

Methinks you've done missed the point.

Here it is again:

AWD. ITS NOT "wrong" nor is it "IMPOSSIBLE"

THATS THE POINT.

An example was the focus. A car that up to now has not had this feature. Just like the Mustwng has not yet had it.

Therefore, it makes sense that this feature could feasibly be had on a superior car that could actually stand to benefit even greater than the Focus will due to the inherent abilities to more effectively put down the gobs of power higher trim levels of the Mustang produce.

Boom. Done. Class over.

AWD would make sense for a GT500 level Mustang. Even more sense than any AWD Focus.

These are the days of flat plane crank Mustsng V8s and AWD Foci.

Try to keep an open mind.

Progress, innovation, and better performance are all good things. Let's embrace them.

 

[DrumReaper]

Actually, the Focus RS was overdue for AWD. The Suby and Evo have been direct competitors and have an AWD platform. From my memory, Ford was inquisitioned by multiple European magazines as to why the prior RS platform remained FWD and their answer was because they could get away performing well without the AWD weight.

The 2nd gen RS was voted by Car magazine as one of the best driving cars they ever tested... And they lifted it to the realm of the Ferraris at the time as far as driving dynamics were concerned. Ford made that car work with torque vectoring.

Now, today, especially to get Ken Block's endorsement, the only way to correctly make a world dominant pocket rocket Focus was to add AWD. It's a complex AWD, by the way, and I've heard stories regarding the health of the differential in testing, which was one hesitation I had in purchasing an RS.

As for the Mustang... The Charger has an AWD platform and could potentially adopt a Hellcat powertrain should Dodge decide to go crazy and do that. Would that be bad news for everyone in the ponycar musclecar war?... Hell to the yes! The Camaro just showed its hand with the ZL1 and there's no AWD platform for that car, so they're essentially left behind. Besides, I believe GM will soon devote the majority of all of its Chevrolet performance power to the new midengine Vette.

Ford has the directive now, that should they wish to make this GT500 a gamechanger, then they have to think outside the norm. When the Nissan GTR first came on the scene it was not crowned "Godzilla" for nothing. The only way, IMHO, for Ford to resurrect the moniker "KR - King of the Road" is to make the 2018 GT500KR and make it a damn beast so awed in performance everyone has to go back to the drawing board and rethink life in mechanical and performance design. You can make gobs of power, but getting that power to the ground with AWD will guarantee a beast.

It's time to take the drag strip by storm... God I hope and pray the 2018 GT500KR comes with either the 5.2L or 3.5L TTDI powerplant, making North of 750hp easy, and AWD! That beast would certainly devour a crowd of cars!

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

It all sounds good , but I don't think Ford is going to build another GT500. I think Ford will make a variant of the GT350 and give it a new name. It was recently announced Ford would continue its association with Petty Garage to have 825 Horsepower King Edition Mustangs built by Petty Garage. I just don't think Ford would slap Richard Petty in the face by bringing out a high horsepower GT500.

 

[DrumReaper]

Petty Enterproses will have absolutely 0 bearing on whether Ford makes a 500 or not.

 

[EJS2016]

I believe that Ford knows they have to build a true "halo" Mustang.
A GT 500/GT 500 KR would be the best model to represent an all out, maximum effort vehicle.
I still think the GT 500 will not be released until the S650 "redesign".
The Mustang needs to loose weight...period.
I'm hoping the S650 will feature aluminum body panels, an improved interior along with "shock and awe" power and suspension upgrades.
But true shock and awe is expensive.
If weight gain can be minimal and development costs are reasonable, AWD would be great.
Base price for the 2017 GTR is $110,000. It weighs 3933 lbs.


Ford knows the essence of the Mustang has always been about great styling, affordable fun plus performance upgrades and options. That's why it sells.
The Mustang cannot become an overpriced and overweight exotic.
There are also CAFE standards to consider.
Ford will choose the right path for the Mustang.

 

[Voodooo]

Let's imagine ford really wanted to save weight on the current GT350 when it came out in 2015.
1) They could of used aluminum for the front suspension instead of steel.
2) They could of used aluminum doors instead of steel. (This will happen before you know it)
3) They could of used lighter forged aluminum wheels.
4) They could of used aluminum wiring instead of copper. (This will happen before you know it)
5) They could of used a carbon fiber drive shaft.
6)They could of used the aluminum super 8.8 center section instead of cast iron.
I know many will dispute that idea, but it is a track car not a drag car. Also I know it already has a diff cooler, but the aluminum would also help dissipated some heat. But my point is mainly weight reduction.

All but number 4 could of easily been done to reduce a lot of weight. Number 2 could of been a slight hold up due to crash testing and safety, but it could of easily of been done. I would of loved to see all the above on the GT350. The aluminum wiring harness alone would be more than 1/2 the weight of copper wiring. With the above aluminum weight reductions that would easily drop 200-250 pounds.

My Forgeline GA1R wheels dropped 52 pounds from my track pack GT350. I'm running 11x19 with 305/30zr19 pilot sport cup 2 as a square set up. As of now I have removed nearly 189 pounds from my car with....
wheels & tires -52#
exhaust -20#
GT350R rear seat delete -32#
carbon fiber drive shaft (on order) -8#
Recaro profi spa carbon fiber seats (on order) -77#
I will corner scale the car once it's complete, I also have a MGW shifter on order to install. I also have cortex front and rear lower control arm bearings, BMR rear toe rods, BMR vertical links, BMR front and rear sway bar end links, BMR IRS cradle and diff bushings, vorshlag camber plates, GT350R front and rear springs, GT350R rear sway bar, GT350R front splitter, Titanium lug nuts. All of which will effect weight reduction over stock weight.

 

[healntoe]

If I truly wanted to rain on the zl1's parade, I'd have a prototype on display in LA this November... with some very basic numbers. It doesn't need to go on sale until Jan-March 2017 in a limited run and I believe it's been in development since shortly after the GT350 program started.

Time frame would be right on the money...am on board with your thinking 100%, but I do believe that the development has been going on since before the GT350 program.

 

[Volstang]

Weight Reduction

Let's imagine ford really wanted to save weight on the current GT350 when it came out in 2015.
1) They could of used aluminum for the front suspension instead of steel.
2) They could of used aluminum doors instead of steel. (This will happen before you know it)
3) They could of used lighter forged aluminum wheels.
4) They could of used aluminum wiring instead of copper. (This will happen before you know it)
5) They could of used a carbon fiber drive shaft.
6)They could of used the aluminum super 8.8 center section instead of cast iron.
I know many will dispute that idea, but it is a track car not a drag car. Also I know it already has a diff cooler, but the aluminum would also help dissipated some heat. But my point is mainly weight reduction.

Not sure if you are old enough to remember aluminum wiring in houses. It was a fire hazard and a BAD idea! I know we aren't running 110 AC in our cars, but I would avoid aluminum wiring! Copper is still the way to go. You do make some excellent points about weight reduction though and I would like to see these ideas put to use in all Mustangs. Good post!

 

[Big Sky]

Old enough to remember aluminum wiring in houses. Would never buy a car with aluminum wiring!

 

[Stage_3]

Methinks you've done missed the point.
Here it is again:
AWD. ITS NOT "wrong" nor is it "IMPOSSIBLE"
THATS THE POINT.
An example was the focus. A car that up to now has not had this feature. Just like the Mustwng has not yet had it.
Therefore, it makes sense that this feature could feasibly be had on a superior car that could actually stand to benefit even greater than the Focus will due to the inherent abilities to more effectively put down the gobs of power higher trim levels of the Mustang produce.
Boom. Done. Class over.
AWD would make sense for a GT500 level Mustang. Even more sense than any AWD Focus.
These are the days of flat plane crank Mustsng V8s and AWD Foci.
Try to keep an open mind.
Progress, innovation, and better performance are all good things. Let's embrace them.

I hear ya bro,...but I don't want an awd Shelby. That's what I'm saying, (posting. lol). I don't care if it can be done or if it's a possibly. I never mentioned anything about it not being able to be awd or anything of that nature. At all.
Just,.....DO.NOT.WANT. With that being said, I appreciate your input bud.
Have a great 4th of July! :cheers:

 

[Voodooo]

Let's imagine ford really wanted to save weight on the current GT350 when it came out in 2015.
1) They could of used aluminum for the front suspension instead of steel.
2) They could of used aluminum doors instead of steel. (This will happen before you know it)
3) They could of used lighter forged aluminum wheels.
4) They could of used aluminum wiring instead of copper. (This will happen before you know it)
5) They could of used a carbon fiber drive shaft.
6)They could of used the aluminum super 8.8 center section instead of cast iron.
I know many will dispute that idea, but it is a track car not a drag car. Also I know it already has a diff cooler, but the aluminum would also help dissipated some heat. But my point is mainly weight reduction.

Not sure if you are old enough to remember aluminum wiring in houses. It was a fire hazard and a BAD idea! I know we aren't running 110 AC in our cars, but I would avoid aluminum wiring! Copper is still the way to go. You do make some excellent points about weight reduction though and I would like to see these ideas put to use in all Mustangs. Good post!

As an ASE mechanic, we hear many rumors or manufacturing turning to aluminum wiring or wireless technology in the near future. As you pointed out in the residential industry I do remember aluminum wiring, but as you also said its 100, 220 voltage AC. Copper is a better choice but not for weight reasons.

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