Nameplate for the Ecoboost 2.3?

[JohnZiraldo]

ST is not only a term that is familiar to the young and to the rest of the world, it provides a nice link and progression from the high-end econoboxes into the lower cost Mustang sports car. A person shopping for an EB2.3 Fusion ST might perceive a narrow jump to an EB2.3 Mustang ST, whereas he might otherwise see a larger jump from a sedan to a sports car.

If model name is important to improving the brand image in the targeted markets, then I would think that ST would be the best option to attract those that are needed to help Mustang market-share growth.

I also like the fact that Camaro's Oppi has cast dispersions on 4 cylinder sports cars, while Mustang has not only embraced the 4 cylinder, but could give it a model label that embraces the traditions that young people and the rest of the world know and love, and can afford.

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[Ericc B]

From a historical perspective SVO still sounds good, but the more I think about it the more ST makes sense.

Just leave that hideous ST badge off the grill please.

 

[thePill]

JohnZ makes a great business case for ST. It could also work the other way too... People could opt for a Fiesta/Focus/Fusion ST because it has "the Mustang engine in it".

 

[JohnZiraldo]

This is another reason I prefer the ST label.

IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge

GT350R in GS Class
Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost in ST Class

And to hammer the point home for the traditionalist that Ford sees the Mustang ST as a serious performer (and since it has over 305 HP) I like ST350 for the EB2.3.

 

[JonnyMustang]

Why head says ST but my heart wants TurboGT to break up the naming rut that Ford has been in.

 

[JonnyMustang]

I was thinking eGT or GTe (Ecoboost)...

Maybe when the Mustang goes electric. ;)

 

[JonnyMustang]

This is another reason I prefer the ST label.



And to hammer the point home for the traditionalist that Ford sees the Mustang ST as a serious performer (and since it has over 305 HP) I like ST350 for the EB2.3.

Na, Shelby has the 350/500 designation (it was his office after all haha). Plus it would make it seem more premium than the GT. I say any designation has to be equal to or lesser than the GT, that's why ST works well.

 

[thePill]

I was thinking ST in ST, GT in GS and GT350 in GT... Ford Racing is calling the Mustang EB an ST so, unless they change it... ST it is...

ST will get wild with the Twins, Cuda and the Mustang in it. The Fiesta has been a gold mine with Ken Block, and a bust in Road Racing... ST is changing.

 

[JohnZiraldo]

Na, Shelby has the 350/500 designation (it was his office after all haha). Plus it would make it seem more premium than the GT. I say any designation has to be equal to or lesser than the GT, that's why ST works well.

Ford now owns GT350 and GT500, not Shelby.

To me, ST350 says high end ST reflecting HP rather than footsteps. Footsteps is not logical and may not translate to the youth or foreign markets. Now that Ford owns these labels, they should leave the footsteps history behind and use the label to reflect HP instead. If there were an EB V6, it could be ST500.

The next step up from ST would be the Grand Touring group.
The GT performance models would be GT500 (NA) and GT600 (FI).

It's quite simple. ST means an entry level performance sports car and GT means a high end performance sports car.

 

[JonnyMustang]

Ford now owns GT350 and GT500, not Shelby.

To me, ST350 says high end ST reflecting HP rather than footsteps. Footsteps is not logical and may not translate to the youth or foreign markets. Now that Ford owns these labels, they should leave the footsteps history behind and use the label to reflect HP instead. If there were an EB V6, it could be ST500.

The next step up from ST would be the Grand Touring group.
The GT performance models would be GT500 (NA) and GT600 (FI).

It's quite simple. ST means an entry level performance sports car and GT means a high end performance sports car.

Still think there's too much equity built up in the 350/500 designation, regardless of who owns it. They'd trash all that equity by using it on stock production vehicles. Simply don't see that happening when real GT350/500s are going for six figures.

 

[thePill]

If an ST is the base models name, what is stopping Ford and SVT to make an ST Special Vehicle Option. There is always ways to build on a badge.

 

[w3rkn]

Ford now owns GT350 and GT500, not Shelby.

To me, ST350 says high end ST reflecting HP rather than footsteps. Footsteps is not logical and may not translate to the youth or foreign markets. Now that Ford owns these labels, they should leave the footsteps history behind and use the label to reflect HP instead. If there were an EB V6, it could be ST500.

The next step up from ST would be the Grand Touring group.
The GT performance models would be GT500 (NA) and GT600 (FI).

It's quite simple. ST means an entry level performance sports car and GT means a high end performance sports car.

eRRR.. "ST" means it's a modified street car.


A dedicated sport coupe is already beyond a modified street car (Neon, Cobolt, Focus, etc.) They are normal everyday chassis, with performance add-ons.

Putting "ST" on a Mustang wouldn't make any sense, what so ever. As the Mustang is an engineered performance sports car, not a car with performance add-ons.



News Flash:
Focus & Neons are not designed from the ground up to tackle M3's and 911s..

 

[JonnyMustang]

eRRR.. "ST" means it's a modified street car.

A dedicated sport coupe is already beyond a modified street car (Neon, Cobolt, Focus, etc.) They are normal everyday chassis, with performance add-ons.

Putting "ST" on a Mustang wouldn't make any sense, what so ever. As the Mustang is an engineered performance sports car, not a car with performance add-ons.

One of the more sensible arguments against ST. Thanks!

 

[JohnZiraldo]

Q&A with Mustang program manager
There was a Q&A with Prakash Patel, program manager for the Mustang who is responsible for program management, timing etc. Not a ton of salacious info but there were a few interesting tidbits...

Q: Will the Turbo car be named SVO?
A: The final badging strategy has not been completed yet.


Very interesting.
I would have guessed that the badging issue was already settled, especially since ST350 is so obvious. :lol:

 

[JohnZiraldo]

eRRR.. "ST" means it's a modified street car.... They are normal everyday chassis, with performance add-ons....the Mustang is an engineered performance sports car, not a car with performance add-ons...

These STs look to me like engineered performance sporty cars without any add-ons.

An ST EB2.3 Mustang along with an ST Fusion would make a logical sequence of similar engineered performance sporty cars before stepping up to the GT big dogs.

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