Fascia design limits

[thePill]

I hope everyone had a safe 4th, I've been super busy. We are relocating a little closer to work and haven't had time to talk about this. When the pics were released of the 2015 Saleen I instantly noticed the bumper covers position. I will try and post a link and pics later, I am extremely internet limited... Sorry in advanced.

the Saleen (I think S302) has evidently relocated the front bumper altogether. Both the upper and lower grill openings have been drastically altered. In my opinion, its not as Mustang as the original S550. In fact, its very Chally/Camaro... I feel, when the time comes for a refresh, the bumper will continue to drop (as it was in the EVOs sketch) to make the upper grill larger and, lower the hood more in the future (see C&D/R&T red concept from way back). I feel that's exactly where the Mustang should be headed. I also feel EVOs type headlamps will accompany the new stance in 2017 for a MY18.

My question is, how did Saleen do that? Does the S550's fascia have that sort of design flexibility engineered into it? That's a very big change to be just a Saleen fabrication. In fact, if you consider the location if the S brace, the frame rails in the front frame section would need to be higher overall... Maybe between 1-2 inches.

I'm not a fan of the Saleen. I wouldn't mind something similar say like a '68 to '70. I just want to know how it was done... I prefer the lower front bumper position. If you think about it, a higher bumper position only really works with a high belt line. I'm hoping Ford continues to lower the hood and the front bumper. I loved the original EVOS sketch and was happy to see they almost got there the first time.

Anyway, I found it strange for it is no easy task having two different front frame section configurations. Again, sorry no pics or links, I will be limited until we settle down.

(Pics added)

Here's the early C&D concept I was talking about. You see a lowered hood, lower front bumper position and a larger overall upper grill. It's pretty close to the S550 as is... I love it.

Here is the seemingly out of place sketch amongst the actual EVOS sketches. I feel this is the ultimate direction for our beloved Mustang.

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[Grimace427]

The Saleen (I think S302) has evidently relocated the front bumper altogether. Both the upper and lower grill openings have been drastically altered.......My question is, how did Saleen do that?

They painted the horizontally flat portions of the bumper and the vertical and painted portions of the grill black giving the impression of a shadow. Since this is a render and they have complete control of the lighting effects this looks dramatic, but IRL the changes will only become subtle and ultimately transparent in their intention. Like painting shadows on your body to look like you have muscles.

 

[thePill]

They painted the horizontally flat portions of the bumper and the vertical and painted portions of the grill black giving the impression of a shadow. Since this is a render and they have complete control of the lighting effects this looks dramatic, but IRL the changes will only become subtle and ultimately transparent in their intention. Like painting shadows on your body to look like you have muscles.

Nothing on the render looks right... Even the hood has been changed and doesn't require a grill surround. What they actually make won't be anywhere near this render. Way too many changes...

 

[Twin Turbo]

One thing I'd love to see them do for the '18MY refresh would be to extend the hood so that it form the top edge of the grille, rather than having a completely separate grille. I knew there was something on the AM Iaccoca rendering that really appealed, and I've just realised that's what it was!

I remember Ian Callum talking about this, many years ago, when comparing the XK8 to the DB9. It makes the nose of the car seem so much longer and sleeker. Plus, as has been evident on the (admittedly pre-prod) S550s to day, getting the shutline even is a challenge!

I'm sure pedestrian crash regulations have something to do with why they went with the design they did, so let's hope there's budget for an "active" hood for the refresh.........that would probably give the designers more of a free reign to drop the hood front facia even further.

 

[Colleton]

One thing I'd love to see them do for the '18MY refresh would be to extend the hood so that it form the top edge of the grille, rather than having a completely separate grille...

Ugh, no thank you. The '13/'14 cars look so much better than the '10-'12 cars, in large part do to the recessed hood line and the new front fascia.

 

[Fenderaddict2]

I'd love that. Make the whole hood a claim shell. Run the cut lines straight back from the headlights and have the whole thing tilt forward. Lovely.

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