First spy pics of 2015 Ford Mustang!

[OKCfan]

Didn't see these posted yet and no chance of repost since this site is brand new it seems.

First Spy Pics of 2015 Mustang!

Shows independent rear suspension

What It Is: A hacked-together 2015 Ford Mustang prototype based on the current car. The next-gen Mustang is set to debut sometime in 2014 with the current model’s six- and eight-cylinder engines. An EcoBoost four-cylinder engine will be added to the lineup, as well.

Why It Matters: Like you don’t know. This is the original pony car, the affordable sporty car for the everyman; and any major revision to the Mustang is reason to sit up and take notice. The 2015 Mustang is shaping up to be a revolutionary iteration of the breed; it’s expected to shrink slightly in size, offer turbocharged power for the first time in almost three decades, and—prepare yourself—might finally ditch its solid rear axle for an independent setup.

Platform: We expect the next Mustang will sit on a heavily revised version of the outgoing car’s platform. The biggest change, of course, is headed for the pony car’s rear suspension. There’s a pretty good chance the current model’s archaic solid rear axle will go the way of the dodo. We’ve heard Ford has yet to make a final decision as to whether the new Mustang will get a solid or independent rear suspension, but that the independent rear is more likely given that all of the Mustang’s competitors have one. (The previous-gen car was tested with both types before Ford settled on keeping the stick axle.) The only factory Mustang to ever ride on an independent rear suspension was the SVT Cobra model produced between 1999 and 2004.

Which brings us to the car in these spy photos—it clearly has IRS. (Update: A new photo has been added below that gives a better look at the IRS setup on this prototype; an image of the current Mustang's solid rear axle also was added for comparison.) A suspension arm is visible in the rear shots, and the rear wheels have a healthy amount of camber. (Solid axles don’t have camber—the wheels are perpendicular to the plane of the axle.) We’ve learned most of the length reduction will come from the car’s rear overhang, and the width adjustment is visible on this test car’s ill-fitting roof panel. Both coupe and convertible body styles will again make production. Although the prototype car in these photos is wearing current-gen retro-look Mustang body panels, we expect that the 2015 car’s cosmetics will fall somewhere between that model and Ford’s recent Evos concept car.

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[Yami]

Definitely independent rear suspension in that prototype.

Hope it also gets double wishbone front suspension.

 

[Coyotestang13]

I would like to bolt that rear IRS into my car.

 

[BasiliskSt]

So what's the bet on the transmission now that others are planning 8 and 9 speed transmissions?

 

[Thed]

I think Ford is just going to stick to using six speeds. The only eight speed that we've heard about is the one for Lincoln so I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[Coyotestang13]

Lincoln is said to get the 8 speed only but then again the new Fiesta was showcasing a new 8 speed powershift. I think it will be Lincoln exclusive at first then proliferate throughout the lineup.

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