CD4 Chassis School

[Overboost]

You guys sure that S550 is the program name and not the new platform name? That's not the way I remember it from several news sources. They could be wrong, but just asking.

Also S197 is the program name for the Mustang built on the D2C platform, is that correct? If so why is this the only one referred to like this... AFAIK, the Fox and SN95 were both platform names and that's how we all refer to them. This just a result of platform sharing making it less confusing to refer to them by program name?

See my earlier post for clarification. Or check Wikipedia for details. You'll see one platform (in this case, CD3) underpins a number of programs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD3_platform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD4_platform

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[JGillis]

No I get that, which is why I asked whether this is a result of platform sharing. I was just wondering why most of us refer to the program name now when we mostly refer to the platform name for previous-generation Mustangs, even though for example, the Fox platform was shared by Mercury and Lincoln. The SN95 makes more sense since no other vehicles were built on it. But most people I see don't call it by the Fox-4 program name.

When looking at the CD4 program naming convention (CD391, CD533) it would seem "S550" doesn't quite fit. I had assumed based on the little info out there that it refers to the platform, not the program.

 

[Tony Alonso]

SN-95 was the program name, FOX-4 was the platform developed under that program. S550 is the program name for the upcoming car on the 'new' platform, whatever it might be.

 

[JGillis]

Hah thanks for the clarification. I guess someone needs to fix Wiki then. That's what I get for relying on them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fox_platform

"The Fox-platform Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 1994 model year under the body family program code name Fox-4. This version was wider and approximately 60% of the parts were redesigned. The SN-95 platform finally ended production with the last 2004 Mustang. This platform was replaced for the 2005 Mustang (code named S-197), with the new Ford D2C platform."


I'm still not sure we can say for sure that the S550 is the program and not the platform name unless someone can point me to something that says otherwise.

 

[Overboost]

S197 was the '05-14 program name, but D2C was the platform name.

 

[JohnZiraldo]

I'm still not sure we can say for sure that the S550 is the program and not the platform name unless someone can point me to something that says otherwise.

I think it would be safe to say that current Ford platforms have "C" and/or "D" in their names and not "S".

 

[JGillis]

I think it would be safe to say that current Ford platforms have "C" and/or "D" in their names and not "S".

Isn't that corresponding to the class/segment? C, C/D, D etc?

S could = sport? :shrug:

 

[Ponywars]

So it seems the big assumption here, if it is a heavily modified CD4 is that it is a truly modular platform like MQB. As we know MQB allows for a lot of different models, sizes and body styles from 3 door hatchbacks to 4 door sedans and 5 door verts ranging from large to small but they are all built around a common transverse, front-engined FWD core. That's the crux of the platform sharing reasoning for them -- since mounting the engines in the same place allows them to cut down on engineering costs and complexity.

With MQB, even though it is modular, the distance from the front axle to the pedal box is its only fixed dimension... everything else can be snapped on like legos to give you different wheelbases, track, etc.

My question..... which CD4 dimension would be fixed in order to accomodate such varying cars as the Fusion, MKZ, Edge, Explorer, Taurus, etc..... and most difficult of all, the Mustang? Thoughts?

 

[Tony Alonso]

Hah thanks for the clarification. I guess someone needs to fix Wiki then. That's what I get for relying on them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fox_platform

"The Fox-platform Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 1994 model year under the body family program code name Fox-4. This version was wider and approximately 60% of the parts were redesigned. The SN-95 platform finally ended production with the last 2004 Mustang. This platform was replaced for the 2005 Mustang (code named S-197), with the new Ford D2C platform."


I'm still not sure we can say for sure that the S550 is the program and not the platform name unless someone can point me to something that says otherwise.

S550 appears to follow the naming convention for program like S197. The "S", if it means the same thing as what was used for "SN", might still denote "specialty" segment, with the number being assigned according to some product planning sequence.

If you look in the book called "Mustang - The Next Generation", this is where the name designation was shared about "SN-95" (S=specialty market segment, N=North American market, 95 = program sequence number).

 

[thePill]

Ford Racing has updated their cover photo to show the NASCAR Fusion CFD analysis.

There will be a S550 Chassis/Platform thread as well as a separate Suspension/Braking/Tire thread discussion soon. We need more details so we can avoid any further speculation...

COMING SOON...

 

[mister.peabodyjunior]

I love the speculation, but its quite off. S550 is NOT a CD4 variant. CD4 is an east/west engine configuration and S550 is a north/south engine configuration, this is fundamental.

 

[JohnZiraldo]

I love the speculation, but its quite off. S550 is NOT a CD4 variant. CD4 is an east/west engine configuration and S550 is a north/south engine configuration, this is fundamental.

Mr.Peabody Jr,
It's so cool that you have joined this forum. :hail: Will you be posting any pictures of the car you drive? Without cladding? :lol:

I think we are all in agreement that S550 is not CD4. But what is it? We are very eager to find out more. I realize of course that you cannot reveal any of that at this time since those Chevy guys are listening, and you probably love your job.

The Pill brought a ton of knowledge to the forum about modern platforms through his CD4 Chassis School. We are now eager to learn all we can about the S550 Platform and suspension components. But rather than just speculation, we hope to be able to discuss verified facts from Ford, once they are able to release them. Hopefully soon.

 

[Melino]

Mr.Peabody Jr,
It's so cool that you have joined this forum. :hail: Will you be posting any pictures of the car you drive? Without cladding? :lol:

I think we are all in agreement that S550 is not CD4. But what is it? We are very eager to find out more. I realize of course that you cannot reveal any of that at this time since those Chevy guys are listening, and you probably love your job.

We are?

It thought that's the one big point of disagreement here. :headbonk:

 

[Overboost]

All the answers will be flushed out in time.

 

[JGillis]

I love the speculation, but its quite off. S550 is NOT a CD4 variant. CD4 is an east/west engine configuration and S550 is a north/south engine configuration, this is fundamental.

I'm sure everyone here realize that the engine mounting are fundamentally different. The question is whether S550 does share parts with CD4 and if CD4 can be (and has been for S550) heavily modified to allow for longitudinal application.

If you know, are you able to at least say whether it is a S197 modified or something different?

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