If you designed a Mustang, what dimensions (l x w x h) you would have?

[Norm Peterson]

No, because it actually has NO relevance. The Camaro is also built on a platform that’s shared with a 4 door sedan... according to you, that would mean that it’s more roomy and utilitarian than the Mustang, thus having shorter overhangs. But that’s not the case, is it?

I was specifically talking about BMWs . . .

Here ya go. This concept was built on D2C and was slated to be the new Taurus (also to be built on D2C) until leadership changes and the recession caused the idea of sharing the RWD sedan platform to be scrapped

Too bad, though I think it would have worked better with styling more like the current Fusion.

Aerodynamics are important, but sure aren’t a priority of the Mustang (in other words, Ford doesn’t make the best use of the Mustang’s long overhangs, so why even have them in the first place?). Fuel economy certainly is NOT an important factor of a performance car

Could Ford have done better for the Mustang aerodynamically? Sure. But apparently the styling crew at Ford wasn't too crazy about short blunt overhangs either.


Norm

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[sumfoo1]

I'd go about 10% less in everything but wheelbase which would probably cut weight by 20% and be perfect... basically a touch longer than a toyobaru with 500hp

 

[Hack]

If you were to design a Mustang, what would be the smallest exterior length, width and height you would want and what would be the maximum length, width and height of your car?

What do you feel are the ideal dimensions for a Mustang? Let's leave how the engineers would accomplish this to them. I am just looking at a starting point you may have.

What do you think of the size over the years?

As a point of reference

1965 fastback
Length : 181.6 in
Width : 68.2 in
Height : 51.0 in
Wheelbase : 108.0 in

1973 Mach 1
length : 193.8 in
width : 74.1 in
height : 50.7 in
wheelbase: 109.1 in

1990 Fox body
length : 179.6 in
width : 69.1 in
height : 52.1 in
wheelbase : 100.5 in


2002 SN95
length : 183.2 in
width : 73.1 in
height : 53.2 in
wheelbase : 101.3 in


2013 S197
length : 188.5 in
width : 73.9 in
height : 55.8 in
wheelbase : 107.1 in


2019 S550
length : 188.3 in
width : 75.4 in
height : 54.4 in
wheelbase : 107.1 in


I have never put any of these Mustangs side by side so I found it interesting to see how they all compare.

Also, as small looking that the SN95 was to me, it was still quite big when compared to a S550.

I also was a little shocked that the first two generations had such long wheelbases.

I did not know that the 70's Mach 1 was also the shortest height Mustang while the Fox was the shortest in length.



Looking at all of this, I would like the car to have a lower height and a shorter length.

My range would look like:
length : under 182 inches but more than 175
Width : 70 -73 inches
height: 48- 51 inches. even if that means someone above average height might not fit. They can make the seat sit a little lower to help which I would also like done.

Wheelbase is hard. I understand that a ratio of length to wheel track of 1.6 is desired but i have not driven enough Mustangs not other shorter wheelbase cars to say if I want the wheel base to me more Fox or more old school in length. I will say that improvements in handling would be the direction I would want but I also do not want a car that cannot be driven by the masses.

In my opinion Fox body Mustangs are not too small. 180 inches is a good length. I would want the car to be 50 inches tall maximum. However, the seats would have to be a LOT lower to the ground and the hood also a lot lower to make that happen without making the interior suck. Also, I wouldn't want the short Fox wheel base.

My Porsche 944 is a great size, and a V8 does fit in one. A Coyote would probably not fit, though. It has a lot of head room even for a taller guy like me. I'd prefer a longer wheelbase than the 944 has, though.
Length : 170 inches
Width : 68.3 inches
height: 50.2 inches

 

[Blufc3s]

I would like to have my S550 drive train in my (former) 07 350Z.
The S550 is superior in many ways, interior, techy stuff, etc, but I think it would be a great combo!

 

[Dave TBG]

My Porsche 944 is a great size, and a V8 does fit in one. A Coyote would probably not fit, though. It has a lot of head room even for a taller guy like me. I'd prefer a longer wheelbase than the 944 has, though.
Length : 170 inches
Width : 68.3 inches
height: 50.2 inches

My understanding is that the coyote is too wide, but there are numerous small block chevy and LS swaps out there. I'd love to see the Mustang get substantially closer to the size of the 944 but I'd be OK with it being a couple inches wider so the coyote would fit. Better still, get the Mustang closer to the weight and 50/50 balance of the 944.

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