How would you design the 2015 mustang?

[let me ride]

If you were on the design team of the 2015 Ford Mustang, what would you do? Would you add more luxury features or keep the Mustang a pure drivers car? Make it more aggressive or more refined? Make it bigger or smaller? etc...

I know a lot of us wish they could just give us the easel and let us paint a picture of the perfect mystang in our heads since we're already expert armchair designers

Sponsored

 

[let me ride]

BTW,

Me... I'm one of the few maybe that think it should stay the same size. You want a smaller car go buy a Genesis coupe. The weight is a different issue but dimensions wise I want to see muscular size if it's not gonna get that in the design department.

For the look, I want something with a more traditional Mustang nose since it's so distinct but the rear half can be more exotic.

Give this puppy a mustang nose, lose the chrome, and take my money!

 

[Twin Turbo]

By the sounds of things, Ford are going to do a good job, but my wishlist would be.......

Engines:
Ecoboost 4 rated at 300bhp
Ecoboost 3.5 V6 rated at 375bhp
Coyote 5.0 V8 rated at 450bhp
Voodoo 5.2 V8 rated at 525bhp


Chassis:
Well, firstly the all new chassis would also underpin a Lincoln coupe and saloon, which would also form the basis of a new Falcon saloon to be sold globally.

Weight would be down at least 300lb by introducing many aluminium components.

IRS out back with double wishbones up front.

Brembo brakes front and rear on the GT and above, option on 4 & 6 cylinders.

The body would shrink about 3 inches in length, with a shorter rear overhang and a slightly increased wheelbase. Front and rear tracks would be widened. Interior space remains the same, although a slight smaller trunk adds a couple of inches of rear legroom.

Wheels would be 18s going up to 20s for the V8s.

Interior trim would rival the Germans with soft touch plastics and high quality leather. Low NVH would be a priority, along with a compliant ride........allowing the V8 to make its music. Toys aplenty with front and rear parking cameras, heated/cooled seats, Recaros as standard (or at least a more sporting standard seat), dual zone climate control, hi end stereo all standard.

The first road test of the GT v the new BMW M4 has the Bimmer walking away with its tail between it's legs. Not only is the Mustang its equal in the fixtures and fittings, but it's quicker to 60, quicker in the 1/4 mile and quicker around the road course. It's also at least $20k cheaper!

And the front would look like this:

And the rear would look like this.

Sales would be a massive success with 15k units being sold a month across the globe.


:ford:

 

[StangFX]

BTW,

Me... I'm one of the few maybe that think it should stay the same size. You want a smaller car go buy a Genesis coupe. The weight is a different issue but dimensions wise I want to see muscular size if it's not gonna get that in the design department.

For the look, I want something with a more traditional Mustang nose since it's so distinct but the rear half can be more exotic.

Give this puppy a mustang nose, lose the chrome, and take my money!

That's pretty nice. What is that a render of?

Definitely want a few inches shorter if just to take off some weight.

Luxury? Nah maybe some more premium options but not standard. save that stuff for the future Lincolns. Ford has tried that before with the Mustang and it flopped.

 

[let me ride]

That's pretty nice. What is that a render of?

Definitely want a few inches shorter if just to take off some weight.

Luxury? Nah maybe some more premium options but not standard. save that stuff for the future Lincolns. Ford has tried that before with the Mustang and it flopped.

It's a Jaguar render that I altered a bit. Just needs some muscle which I don't have the skills to do.

By the sounds of things, Ford are going to do a good job, but my wishlist would be.......

Engines:
Ecoboost 4 rated at 300bhp
Ecoboost 3.5 V6 rated at 375bhp
Coyote 5.0 V8 rated at 450bhp
Voodoo 5.2 V8 rated at 525bhp

This pretty much is my ideal lineup too except I'd still like to see a S/C for the SVT to make more power. It'll need it to compete against the Camaro performance variants.

An Eco 3.5 would be incredible but I think we'll see it on the Lincoln coupe. Can you imagine the kind of waves this would make in the pony car segment? Maybe GM can push them to do it one day if they put their TT V6 into the Camaro one day. I'd rather it be Ford pushing them though. Maybe if sales volume ever gets back to the point where they can offer that many trims.

Chassis:
Well, firstly the all new chassis would also underpin a Lincoln coupe and saloon, which would also form the basis of a new Falcon saloon to be sold globally.

Weight would be down at least 300lb by introducing many aluminium components.

IRS out back with double wishbones up front.

Brembo brakes front and rear on the GT and above, option on 4 & 6 cylinders.

The body would shrink about 3 inches in length, with a shorter rear overhang and a slightly increased wheelbase. Front and rear tracks would be widened. Interior space remains the same, although a slight smaller trunk adds a couple of inches of rear legroom.

Wheels would be 18s going up to 20s for the V8s.

Interior trim would rival the Germans with soft touch plastics and high quality leather. Low NVH would be a priority, along with a compliant ride........allowing the V8 to make its music. Toys aplenty with front and rear parking cameras, heated/cooled seats, Recaros as standard (or at least a more sporting standard seat), dual zone climate control, hi end stereo all standard.

The first road test of the GT v the new BMW M4 has the Bimmer walking away with its tail between it's legs. Not only is the Mustang its equal in the fixtures and fittings, but it's quicker to 60, quicker in the 1/4 mile and quicker around the road course. It's also at least $20k cheaper!

Great list there. I would take out some of the more high tech stuff like the parking cameras but of course if they can do it without to much added price go for it.

Maybe there should be a luxury model brought back for the stang or just save all those goodies for Lincoln?

I want to see front leg room increased at the expense of rear leg room, it's already meant for small adults and kids so just go all the way and focus on more driver and passenger comfort. I agree with decreasing trunk size if it helps to get it there. For the overhangs I'd like to see it stay the same as I think that's what makes a mustang look so aggressive and distinguishes it from a lot of other cars. You can increase wheelbase but if the overhangs are too trim it may just give it a Euro sedan-coupe like proportions.

Design wise I think your renders come close to what I'd like to see except the front I dont want to see the new corporate grille.

 

[ThunderHorse]

By the sounds of things, Ford are going to do a good job, but my wishlist would be.......

Engines:
Ecoboost 4 rated at 300bhp
Ecoboost 3.5 V6 rated at 375bhp
Coyote 5.0 V8 rated at 450bhp
Voodoo 5.2 V8 rated at 525bhp


Chassis:
Well, firstly the all new chassis would also underpin a Lincoln coupe and saloon, which would also form the basis of a new Falcon saloon to be sold globally.

Weight would be down at least 300lb by introducing many aluminium components.

IRS out back with double wishbones up front.

Brembo brakes front and rear on the GT and above, option on 4 & 6 cylinders.

The body would shrink about 3 inches in length, with a shorter rear overhang and a slightly increased wheelbase. Front and rear tracks would be widened. Interior space remains the same, although a slight smaller trunk adds a couple of inches of rear legroom.

Wheels would be 18s going up to 20s for the V8s.

Interior trim would rival the Germans with soft touch plastics and high quality leather. Low NVH would be a priority, along with a compliant ride........allowing the V8 to make its music. Toys aplenty with front and rear parking cameras, heated/cooled seats, Recaros as standard (or at least a more sporting standard seat), dual zone climate control, hi end stereo all standard.

The first road test of the GT v the new BMW M4 has the Bimmer walking away with its tail between it's legs. Not only is the Mustang its equal in the fixtures and fittings, but it's quicker to 60, quicker in the 1/4 mile and quicker around the road course. It's also at least $20k cheaper!

And the front would look like this:

And the rear would look like this.

Sales would be a massive success with 15k units being sold a month across the globe.


:ford:

I love how you think. I wouldn't change a word. :ford:

 

[Ponywars]

Twin Turbo, your list sounds suspiciously like a 7th generation Mustang. What do you know?


Let's see, how would I design the 2015 mustang?

Well I wouldn't because I suck.... But there's a few artists on here that I wish had a direct line into Ford's design studio because they have made some pretty damn good renders.

What is important to me and I hope Ford is following this approach.... with any design they need to save the pony emblem for last. Ask themselves if the emblem is missing will people have to ask "what car am I looking at?" If they do, then you've failed even if the car looks great. That should be the FIRST step before we even get to the question of how good it looks.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Keep it a driver's car.

Relative to the current models, I'd make it a little shorter, take a couple of inches out of the wheelbase, and an inch or a bit more out of the height. 18" wheels. Width OK as is - if nothing else, wider costs you time at autocross, and since 3-across rear seating has no business being in a Mustang anyway why would you try to create enough room for it?

Like Ponywars, my drawing ability sucks.


Norm

 

[Allerick]

I think they have a good variety of choices across the line up. I would definitely add some more tech toys as options. I always enjoy the amount of options the Mustang offers, but I would eliminate anything that just looked terrible. I would want people to feel like no matter what trim of Mustang they bought they would be getting something nice. Ford has already been making it better, but I would make sure that base trim was good and premium was truly premium.

I would also make the Mustang smaller. I would keep the muscular look. It has to look like a Mustang, but I would work towards something between how big it is now and how big it was in the 60's. I would cut the weight and really dedicate some time to really nailing the suspension and driving feel of the car. All trims need to have something to offer to a performance minded person. Gone would be the days of the rental car Mustang. The result would likely be a bit of a price bump. I would try not to push the GT much higher, but I would move the lower level engine options up a bit.

 

[Retrostang]

Evolve the look, not change it entirely. Add more modern features.

nicer leather
10 way adjustable seat with auto return (Lincoln)
push button start
auto tilt/telescoping wheel
THX entertainment
Vista roof
blind spot integration
at least a foot longer

The Hero car would be my inspiration.

 

[KZStang]

What is important to me and I hope Ford is following this approach.... with any design they need to save the pony emblem for last. Ask themselves if the emblem is missing will people have to ask "what car am I looking at?" If they do, then you've failed even if the car looks great. That should be the FIRST step before we even get to the question of how good it looks.

Absolutely.

BUT remember, a lot of the "what car am I looking at" gets defined in the present and future. Certainly if we transported a Mustang owner from the 1960's into the future, he/she likely would not have been able to answer that question upon seeing the Fox/SN95.

In 2005, Ford decided it wanted to give fans a Mustang that would be instantly recognizable as one since everyone knows the original and associates that as THE mustang look. Don't expect the same thing for 2015. This is why it is called a forward-looking design. It is meant to create yet another classic, not remind us of a previous one.

 

[Interceptor]

Evolve the look, not change it entirely. Add more modern features.

nicer leather
10 way adjustable seat with auto return (Lincoln)
push button start
auto tilt/telescoping wheel
THX entertainment
Vista roof
blind spot integration
at least a foot longer

The Hero car would be my inspiration.

At least a foot longer? Are you looking for a S550 sedan?

I agree with what Norm said. Keep it a driver's car.

There has been too much talk about design without consideration of engineering for optimal driving/racing. People want wider track, wider wheels, all for looks. Wider does not drive better and wider wheels does not help with fuel economy.

Sponsored