Interview with Ford chief engineer

[08gt]

Ford Mustang (2015) CAR inteviews the chief engineer

The new sixth-generation Ford Mustang will be sold in the UK and Europe, as well as around the world. Ahead of its launch in the UK in 2015, we talk the Mustang's chief engineer Dave Perciak on what to expect from the new 'pony car'.

How long have you been working on the sixth-generation Ford Mustang?

We started in early 2010, looking at the whole idea, about what the Mustang was going to be and how much it was going to change. Around one year ago the first prototypes were running around so we could validate the suspension and other settings.

Have you engineered the Mustang differently because it’s now being
sold worldwide?

We didn’t decide to make a global Mustang, but to take the Mustang global. It’s a subtle but very important difference. We weren’t going to let other markets influence the Mustang, even though the world was ready for the Mustang before we were ready to sell it to the world. But that thought kept driving us – the world wants the Mustang because of what it is. We believe 100% this is a true Mustang. We don’t want to offer something that’s compromised, we want to offer Mustang in its true form.

Have you tuned the Mustang specifically for European roads?

We didn’t have to change anything – all that’s different are the things required for homologation, or because they’re not legal. We’re cognisant of where we’re going to sell the Mustang. European roads are one of the inputs we’ve taken into account.
All European cars will have the Performance Pack which means a larger radiator, summer tyres, 19in wheels, not 20s, with wider 275-rear tyres on the V8, upgraded brake cooling, six-piston calipers for the V8 and four-piston for the Ecoboost, and upgraded and specifically tuned axles.

What advantages does the new independent rear suspension bring?

IRS was always planned from the start. We could have taken a solid rear axle global, but this has allowed us to go even further. IRS improves both stiffness and compliance. There’s half as much squat under acceleration, plus it’s more planted, more stable, but also less harsh with better primary and secondary ride.

Tell us about the new four-cylinder Ecoboost engine

It’s been specifically designed and engineered for performance. There’s a twin-scroll turbo, a steel crank, more power and torque than the V6, and significantly improved economy.
The 3.7-litre V6 is essentially a carryover and in the US the Ecoboost will outsell the V6. Will the Ecoboost engine sound like it belongs in a Mustang?
With the Ecoboost engine we have both active noise cancellation, and we also amplify the existing engine sound order. We don’t create an artificial sound, we don’t pluck one off the shelf, we bring in the real sound, process it, and play it through the car’s speakers. Today’s V6 sounds fantastic, and although the Ecoboost won’t sound like a V8, it won’t sound like it doesn’t belong in a Mustang either.

What work have you done to the 5.0-litre V8?

We’ve made massive improvements with revised higher-lift cams, better flow from the cylinder heads, a new intake manifold, valve springs and conrods from the Boss 302. Top speeds have been raised across the range, and the V8 now does 155mph.

How quick will it be?

We’ve set some really aggressive performance: we’ve added aluminium, optimised the car, and our goal for a Performance Pack V8 is to beat the Boss at the track. We’ve very happy with our performance.
When you first take off and roll, even if you’re blindfolded, you’ll know you’re in a Mustang, but when you push harder you’ll find it’s extremely well balanced, and that it’s a better car than the driver. We’ve raised the chin-up bar significantly.

Will there be a Shelby version of the latest Mustang? Can the 662bhp V8 from the outgoing GT500 fit?

The 5.8-litre supercharged engine? We’ve not excluded it from fitting. Modifications will have to be made, but will it go under the hood? Yes, it will…

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/S...ures/Fords-chief-engineer-talks-2015-Mustang/

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Fords-chief-engineer-talks-2015-Mustang/

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[Crazyhorse]

EB has Active sound crap from BMW M5/6 garbage

 

[ChuckC]

Ford Mustang (2015) CAR inteviews the chief engineer

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Fords-chief-engineer-talks-2015-Mustang/

"The 5.8-litre supercharged engine? We’ve not excluded it from fitting. Modifications will have to be made, but will it go under the hood? Yes, it will…"

Perhaps I haven't been following along, but this is news to me.

 

[jjw]

5.8? Interesting.
I'm guessing if we see it again, it will be with the Mach 1 badge.

 

[Haynboy8]

That would be insane. :love:

I thought all the rumors said it was a no go.

 

[Free Agent]

What work have you done to the 5.0-litre V8?

We’ve made massive improvements with revised higher-lift cams, better flow from the cylinder heads, a new intake manifold, valve springs and conrods from the Boss 302. Top speeds have been raised across the range, and the V8 now does 155mph.

A couple of questions. What was the previous Mustang GT limited at? Less than 155? What were top speeds with the limiter removed on the previous model, both auto and manual?

Not that I'm going to spend any time up there, but I'd like to know what he means by "top speeds have been increased across the range."

 

[Grimace427]

A couple of questions. What was the previous Mustang GT limited at? Less than 155? What were top speeds with the limiter removed on the previous model, both auto and manual?

Not that I'm going to spend any time up there, but I'd like to know what he means by "top speeds have been increased across the range."

Officially 149mph at least for the GT coupe. Many people have questioned it based off GPS readings however. The actual speedo likely isn't accurate enough at those speeds.

There are no legitimate top speeds with the limiter removed. Cars that came with the 3.73 gears were limited by RPM's(I hit 154 at the Texas Mile in my car at the top of 5th gear) and some have claimed to exceed 170mph with 3.31 gears.

 

[S550Boss]

That would be insane. :love:
I thought all the rumors said it was a no go.

That shows the value of "rumors" that have no basis in facts. A simple observation of the pictures we have of the mule several months ago showed us that there was no difference in the width of the frame rails or strut towers between the S197 and S550. And the height (hood clearance) issue is easily solved. In fact we've all seen the special edition prowling around Dearborn, which has a higher hood and GT-500-like hood extractors (and signature quad exhaust outlets). Some minor rerouting of hoses and wires because the engine harness has had to change (the computer and fuse box are different in the S550) and that's more or less it.
Therefore it just comes down to whether they will or won't offer it. Given the investment they already have in the engine, another 2 years makes sense. And whatever Voodoo is, if the program even comes to fruition, it doesn't make 600 HP.

 

[Black GT]

A couple of questions. What was the previous Mustang GT limited at? Less than 155? What were top speeds with the limiter removed on the previous model, both auto and manual?

Not that I'm going to spend any time up there, but I'd like to know what he means by "top speeds have been increased across the range."

My GT will go 155 by the speedo with the stock tune. I don't see any increase from 2011.

 

[TearTheHorizon]

Therefore it just comes down to whether they will or won't offer it.

This.

And whatever Voodoo is, if the program even comes to fruition, it doesn't make 600 HP.

Its currently in testing.
But, also correct.

 

[qwkcoupe]

PP tech: upgraded brake cooling, specifically tuned axles, beat the Boss!

Engineeer says "a better car than the driver" !!

-----
All European cars will have the Performance Pack which means a larger radiator, summer tyres, 19in wheels, not 20s, with wider 275-rear tyres on the V8, upgraded brake cooling, six-piston calipers for the V8 and four-piston for the Ecoboost, and upgraded and specifically tuned axles.
-----

-----
goal for a Performance Pack V8 is to beat the Boss at the track. We’ve very happy with our performance.
When you first take off and roll, even if you’re blindfolded, you’ll know you’re in a Mustang, but when you push harder you’ll find it’s extremely well balanced, and that it’s a better car than the driver. We’ve raised the chin-up bar significantly.
------

Is a specifically tuned axle for durability or what?
is the PP exactly the same USA and EU?

 

[jjw]

I really want to see the bottom of the car. Besides the obvious platform/suspension stuff I want to see the exhaust routing and if they are using the resonator that showed up in the patent a while back. I also want to see how flat and clean it looks and what they did for underbody aero as well as what potential for improvement is there. I have a feeling we may be waiting a while.

 

[NeedLotteryToBuyStang]

EB has Active sound crap from BMW M5/6 garbage

Yeah, there better be an easy to get to stereo setting to turn that off.

 

[ishaan.sharma]

My name is Ishaan Sharma and I am a sophomore at A&M. For my English class we have to write a report on a topic of my choosing, and I am writing on whether Ford should keep their turbocharged 4 cylinder engine or go back to putting the V6 as an option in Mustangs model years 2015 and up.

I am giving this sheet to Mustangs I see around College Station and posting to forums so I can conduct some sort of interview and get some information back from the owners and maybe some Ford representatives which can hopefully help me on this project.

I can keep this information anonymous from your name if you would like. I just need your genuine opinion on your beautiful car.

• Please tell me a little about yourself. (Name, age, gender, hometown, how long you’ve had your Mustang, etc.)
• Which engine is in your Mustang? (If you have a V8, you can disregard this entire sheet but let me know my namesake of being a car guy is revoked as I should have figured that out by looking at your car )
• Do you like your Mustang? (Give me a 1/10, 10 being this car is worth more than your first born child, 1 being you could watch it burn and not care at all.)
• If you could give your car one feature it did not have, what would that be? (Think in terms of your engine, would you want a super/turbocharger, bigger air intake, etc. Telling me you want heated seats doesn’t really help me here lol.)
• Did you have any aspirations about doing aftermarket upgrades with your car?
• How is the throttle response? (When you press the gas, how does the car react? Slowly, quickly, etc?)
• How is the fuel economy?
• Why did you buy this model of Mustang?
• What was the dealbreaker between this Mustang and Mustangs with different engines? Is there a reason you picked the turbo 4 cylinder or the V6?
• How does your car sound?
• What is the worst problem you have had with your ENGINE?
• How many miles do you have on your Mustang?
• From a consumer standpoint, would you appreciate if future Mustang’s had a V6 or a turbo 4?
• If you have V6, did you choose that because you wanted the naturally aspirated engine and bigger displacement and wanted to stay closer to a V8?
• If you have a turbo 4, did you choose that because you wanted a turbo, wanted better fuel economy, and a smaller engine?

I really appreciate your time. To get back to me you can call me at 832-643-9171 or shoot me an email at [email protected]. Mustangs have always been a passion of mine, and while I don’t have one, I am sure I can reach out to the community that proudly carries around the Mustang badge to help me out.

Thanks and Gig ‘Em!



Ishaan Sharma | 832-643-9171 | [email protected]

Class of ‘23

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

So Ishaan, did you complete your paper on the reason people buy a Mustang ? Can we read it ?

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