2018 Testing

[Topnotch]

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/04/u-spy-ford-testing-trio-of-2018-mustang.html

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[Twin Turbo]

Any idea why they would leave the gas caps open?

The only thing that comes to mind is they don't want them freezing shut......but then surely the same would go for the windows/doors :shrug:

 

[NOLA_Stang]

Could it be a sensor to monitor fuel consumption or something?

 

[TomcatDriver]

I'm wondering about those goofy exhaust tips and tow hitches?

 

[DickR]

I'm wondering about those goofy exhaust tips and tow hitches?

We've seen lots of mules with tow hitches but these are the first I've noticed with fuel ports. Modern cars get an incredible amount of testing so for all we know some of it includes towing an instrumented trailer. Note the cylinder above the fuel door hinge of the black car. I suspect the doors are open for some test but can only guess.

 

[TomcatDriver]

I wonder if there is an instrumentation pallet that gets mounted to the tow hitch and hooks up to those goofy exhaust tips for emissions testing.

 

[Jarstang]

We'll have some new 2018 photos to show you all next week.

More production spec prototypes out testing in various colors (Crimson, Kona, etc) with normal looking exhaust tips, gas cap, and no tow hitch. Those are all for testing purposes.

 

[NoVaGT]

These things are supposed to be on dealer's lots in a few months. How the hell are they still being tested?

 

[TomcatDriver]

These things are supposed to be on dealer's lots in a few months. How the hell are they still being tested?

I would assume they never stop testing. Some testing is going to be developmental, emissions, compliance, reliability/maintainability, endurance/wear, etc. They are going to find stuff, fix stuff, change stuff, test stuff, rinse repeat. You never get enough because you never really get enough assets and time to get the sample size you really want, so you test as much as you can with what you do have. When they are done with 2018, and 2018 rev 1 they will start with 2019.

 

[NoVaGT]

I would assume they never stop testing. Some testing is going to be developmental, emissions, compliance, reliability/maintainability, endurance/wear, etc. They are going to find stuff, fix stuff, change stuff, test stuff, rinse repeat. You never get enough because you never really get enough assets and time to get the sample size you really want, so you test as much as you can with what you do have. When they are done with 2018, and 2018 rev 1 they will start with 2019.

It's surprising because vendors/suppliers need lots of time to get ready for production too.

 

[BmacIL]

Things that are still being tuned/refined prior to launch will still be evaluated on test vehicles from the VP build state (last summer/fall). This includes powertrain and transmission calibration, damper tuning, steering calibration, and any electronics/software updates.

 

[DropTopBob]

It's actually not too early for 2021 mules

 

[BmacIL]

It's actually not too early for 2021 mules

Almost. 2020 S650 XM (powertrain early development) vehicles will be running around this spring, but will be stuffed into S550 bodies. 2020 M1 late summer/fall (also stuffed into S550 bodies, but much more content), and 2020 VP the following summer/fall (representative S650 full vehicles with camo covering), with production builds starting early 2019.

 

[Topnotch]

Almost. 2020 S650 XM (powertrain early development) vehicles will be running around this spring, but will be stuffed into S550 bodies. 2020 M1 late summer/fall (also stuffed into S550 bodies, but much more content), and 2020 VP the following summer/fall (representative S650 full vehicles with camo covering), with production builds starting early 2019.

2021 Model Year in 2020 Calendar Year

 

[BmacIL]

2021 Model Year in 2020 Calendar Year

My mistake, the S650 is 2020MY.

In that case there are no XM mules running around yet. Later this year/next spring yes.

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