If development's on schedule, they won't require any more time. Besides, even if we see the '18MY at LA later this year or Detroit in January, chances are Ford won't release full performance details at the same time. We'll likely need to wait until just before the car goes on sale (Summer 2017?) for those stats. So, Ford still have the best part of 9 months to continue that development.
I just hope that development includes direct injection (with 10% torque increase) and a 7 speed tremec MT option. Everything else is just gravy to me.
DI gains depend upon the engine size and type. That said, the application of direct injection usually increases power 8-10% and torque 14-16%. For a coyote having the same specs as today, but with DI, I would expect peak gains of 35hp/60lbft at the flywheel, with 40 lbft of that torque available at 2000 rpm.
I, for one, like the size of this car. The new Camaro is smaller, and less usable as a daily driver. The Mustang still has a usable trunk. The rear seats are big enough for my son, or for smaller adults in a pinch.
I also like the size of the current model. I can pick my (3) kids up from elementary school on the regular, and fit their booster seats in the trunk when I don't have them; along with a recurve bow, disc gold bag, climbing gear, and a full load of groceries if need be.
Yeah, I do agree the current size is appropriate. This is a pony/muscle car and only the increase in performance has people calling it a sports car, rightfully so as they do perform very well. I think with the advances they are making, we are getting a bit spoiled and just want more and more. Nothing wrong with wanting more, but the Camaro I think has shown us the limits. Seems we are now at the line where increasing performance by getting smaller just requires too many sacrifices for those that need a more livable DD.
If they want to sell the car, it needs to stay on their mind. With all of the safety and structural rigidity required, you aren't making this car any smaller without sacrificing interior space. The fact that my teenage kids fit in the vehicle along with a shopping load from Costco is a major reason I chose this over the Camaro.
On the contrary, I like that this car has a certain bare minimum of practicality. Not much. I agree this isn't a top priority at all. But a little bit of afterthought here is good. If this were a two seater (and given the Camaro's dimensions, it's a de facto two seater), it wouldn't work for me.
