New 2015 Mustang Dimensions

[mrkrabz]

Well, Jaguar did that with the F-type, although that was at the "crazy wrap" time, rather than the heavy cladding camo



I guess you mean in terms of looks, rather than underpinnings?

Yeah. Just looks.

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[StangFX]

Ford has done a great job camouflaging the rear quarter windows to look like the "Dorito" rears of the S197 cars. Renders and rumor have mentioned the windows are now connected, reminiscent of the 99-04 and prior generations. Until the camo starts to fall off, we won't know.

I'd have to agree with you there that it's all just to make it appear like the s197 dorito window. Also agree what was said about a higher sill line. You can see it through the gap in the camo. Given the apparent rake of the roofline now, connecting the two should also help with visibility concerns.

I'd personally love to see Ford make a "running pony" wrap for camo for the S550 cars. I think it'd play well and generate some buzz leading up to the reveal.

As if they needed anything more to generate buzz :lol:

 

[StangFX]

Well, Jaguar did that with the F-type, although that was at the "crazy wrap" time, rather than the heavy cladding camo

I had to search for it. You mean this? or did they have an actual jaguar logo wrap?

 

[Retrostang]

Ford has done a great job camouflaging the rear quarter windows to look like the "Dorito" rears of the S197 cars. Renders and rumor have mentioned the windows are now connected, reminiscent of the 99-04 and prior generations. Until the camo starts to fall off, we won't know.

I'd personally love to see Ford make a "running pony" wrap for camo for the S550 cars. I think it'd play well and generate some buzz leading up to the reveal.

I'm so hoping they don't mess with the 1/4 windows. I like the current louver look enough that I might buy a 14 if they change that.

 

[Melino]

FWIW, here's a comparo from AM222. Seems to show similar size. One thing that is noticeable that a bunch of you guys have pointed out is the more sloped roofline.

 

[MustangDizzle]

That scaling is off ever so slightly. The S197 is slightly bigger in real life than what is shown. You can tell because the rear center cap doesn't line up properly.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I can't imagine anything exciting but smaller version of s197 under that camo, with different front and rear bumper.

S550 is NOT an evolved S197. Get that out of your head.

I'm curious about this too.

OP, where are you getting this ridiculous notion that the S550 is just an evolution of the current chassis?

If one keeps in mind manufacturing considerations, interior packaging, wheelbase dimensions, chassis hardpoints for the engine compartment and front subframes, I think it would be reasonable to conclude that parts of the S555 were derived from the S197. Yes, the rear suspension is different, likely resulting revisions to mounting points and strengthening chassis members. Yes, the rear end looks to be shorter, likely meaning that bumper and trunk areas are modified. Yes, the engine bay photos shown previously suggest that there were changes to slim things down and get the front nose height to meet regulations. But would one not use all of the engineer that went into the floor pan structure, the side beams, the engine compartment firewell? Those seem to be crucial pieces.

It seems logical to me that throwing away the entirety of the S197 chassis and designing every part as new would drive up engineering cost. I especially think this, given what it likely takes to engineer a convertible version at the same time.

I think this discussion is a matter of terminology, unless Ford engineers decided to scrap everything and start over. And that could very well be the case. We'll hear more as more details get revealed publicly.

In the meantime, I think we could be getting a morphed S197 platform with a shorter rear-end, a cool new rear suspension, new body panels, maybe some super duper lighter weight but higher strength steel, with the same or better body rigidity, all with an updated interior with even better materials and fit and finish. All of these updates transform what we have enough to call it "new".

PS - Some people might call what I refer to as "morphed" as "new" because of the amount of engineering work that has to be done to do it anyway!

 

[MustangDizzle]

Chevy completely redid the C7 all but like one minor component was completely new and redesigned. And the MSRP didn't hardly budge.

I wish the stang would be absolutely 100% new underneath. Maybe it is. Secrets are still being kept well right now.

 

[Twin Turbo]

I had to search for it. You mean this? or did they have an actual jaguar logo wrap?

That's the one.

Clever. It's still camo'd enough that you can't make out the details or body surfacing, yet is an open advertisement to generate a buzz. Heck, it's even got its own website plastered down the side

 

[Falc'man]

If one keeps in mind manufacturing considerations, interior packaging, wheelbase dimensions, chassis hardpoints for the engine compartment and front subframes, I think it would be reasonable to conclude that parts of the S555 were derived from the S197. Yes, the rear suspension is different, likely resulting revisions to mounting points and strengthening chassis members. Yes, the rear end looks to be shorter, likely meaning that bumper and trunk areas are modified. Yes, the engine bay photos shown previously suggest that there were changes to slim things down and get the front nose height to meet regulations. But would one not use all of the engineer that went into the floor pan structure, the side beams, the engine compartment firewell? Those seem to be crucial pieces.

It seems logical to me that throwing away the entirety of the S197 chassis and designing every part as new would drive up engineering cost. I especially think this, given what it likely takes to engineer a convertible version at the same time.

I think this discussion is a matter of terminology, unless Ford engineers decided to scrap everything and start over. And that could very well be the case. We'll hear more as more details get revealed publicly.

In the meantime, I think we could be getting a morphed S197 platform with a shorter rear-end, a cool new rear suspension, new body panels, maybe some super duper lighter weight but higher strength steel, with the same or better body rigidity, all with an updated interior with even better materials and fit and finish. All of these updates transform what we have enough to call it "new".

PS - Some people might call what I refer to as "morphed" as "new" because of the amount of engineering work that has to be done to do it anyway!

They're good points you've raised. I myself have no idea but one guy I know well enough for me to say he's as reliable as they get, has said it's all-new. Thed's contact has said the same thing.

By the way, there's also re-engineering involved to accept RHD (or if it's the platform I'm hoping it is, it would be converted from RHD to LHD ).

On that, the E8 platform, when re-engineered (or revised) for FG Falcon, was made so that conversion to LHD could have been done without too much fuss. It also has AWD capabilities according to one expert.

 

[JackHoya]

That's the one.

Clever. It's still camo'd enough that you can't make out the details or body surfacing, yet is an open advertisement to generate a buzz. Heck, it's even got its own website plastered down the side

Better than the speckled leopard print camo they usually use, that's for sure. Or the hypnotic spirals BMW and others use. I have a feeling Ford is going to make sure the prototypes stay in this heavily camo'd period for as long as it can. I have never seen so much padding on a car before.

 

[shelby1k]

If one keeps in mind manufacturing considerations, interior packaging, wheelbase dimensions, chassis hardpoints for the engine compartment and front subframes, I think it would be reasonable to conclude that parts of the S555 were derived from the S197. Yes, the rear suspension is different, likely resulting revisions to mounting points and strengthening chassis members. Yes, the rear end looks to be shorter, likely meaning that bumper and trunk areas are modified. Yes, the engine bay photos shown previously suggest that there were changes to slim things down and get the front nose height to meet regulations. But would one not use all of the engineer that went into the floor pan structure, the side beams, the engine compartment firewell? Those seem to be crucial pieces.

It seems logical to me that throwing away the entirety of the S197 chassis and designing every part as new would drive up engineering cost. I especially think this, given what it likely takes to engineer a convertible version at the same time.

I think this discussion is a matter of terminology, unless Ford engineers decided to scrap everything and start over. And that could very well be the case. We'll hear more as more details get revealed publicly.

In the meantime, I think we could be getting a morphed S197 platform with a shorter rear-end, a cool new rear suspension, new body panels, maybe some super duper lighter weight but higher strength steel, with the same or better body rigidity, all with an updated interior with even better materials and fit and finish. All of these updates transform what we have enough to call it "new".

PS - Some people might call what I refer to as "morphed" as "new" because of the amount of engineering work that has to be done to do it anyway!

+1

Good points, sir.

It does depend on what you mean by an "evolution" - unless they started completely from scratch, each nut and bolt, which is unlikely, it is all an evolution in some ways.

Although the way OP keeps talking about it, making it sound more like the Foxbody to SN95, than SN95 to S197. The former which should NOT be the case with the S550. Just based on everything that I've read and heard.

 

[S550Boss]

The S550 is indeed Fox to SN95. All the dimensions line up, the mules show the commonality underneath, and the budget only allows so much.
The term "all new" is the most mis-used term in this business... Ford will pitch this as all new, as they did with the SN95, and a few years later many of the most creative Mustang types will be updating parts. Just as any number of Foxes are running around with SN95 parts all over them, even sold by Ford. Or in some cases, such as the anti-lock brakes, adapted by ford fans. There are even early SN95s or any year Fox running around with the SVT IRS (I did such a swap over the weekend myself). And Foxes running around with SN95 dashboards.
And then there are the engines... if rumor is true there may be a slightly bored or stroked Coyote. But the base Coyote and the 3.7 are still shared as a family with the F-150, and the development budget is still coming from the F-150. That's the reality of the financial side of this business. If there is an update to those engines a year or two later, hopefully it will be better than "match GM" such as the conclusion of this video (). BTW, I had a '96 SVT, traded by '94 SVT, and the '96 finally started to show the promise of that chassis (after the lousy chassis dynamics of the '94 SVT where SVT's better idea was to soften the bushings and the front sway bar). It only took an IRS 3 years later to make it as good as it was going to get (and cancel most of the absurd brake dive).
Will history repeat itself again in 2015 and beyond? That's what we'll just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, the 2015 when it arrives is going to make the S197s look like Model Ts. And my Boss will depreciate to heck (and will be no faster than a 2015 GT, and handle worse with it's crude live axle), as I knew it would. That's life in this hobby.

 

[thePill]

I said a loooooooong time ago that the Nexstang would keep a similar wheelbase as the current S197. The wheelbase currently used is optimal for its class, the track is something I would like to see. I hope the track increase a bit. I't could be the same as the S197. It was close to optimal anyway.

I also commented on the overall length being brought down to M3 size. It's alright with me... This weight loss program looks like a good 300lbs have been dropped. Finally, a 3300lb street fighter!!!

Ford probably has a good 150lbs in the finished car to take out when needed.

Does anyone object to a 3300lbs, 500+HP GT350 carrying a $42-$49,000 MSRP and legal for completion?

Or do you want to pay for a 3800lb, 505hp Z28 with an asking price of $63,000... and not permitted to compete anywhere?

(stab, stab, stab....... stab...)

 

[thePill]

The S550 is indeed Fox to SN95. All the dimensions line up, the mules show the commonality underneath, and the budget only allows so much.
The term "all new" is the most mis-used term in this business... Ford will pitch this as all new, as they did with the SN95, and a few years later many of the most creative Mustang types will be updating parts. Just as any number of Foxes are running around with SN95 parts all over them, even sold by Ford. Or in some cases, such as the anti-lock brakes, adapted by ford fans. There are even early SN95s or any year Fox running around with the SVT IRS (I did such a swap over the weekend myself). And Foxes running around with SN95 dashboards.
And then there are the engines... if rumor is true there may be a slightly bored or stroked Coyote. But the base Coyote and the 3.7 are still shared as a family with the F-150, and the development budget is still coming from the F-150. That's the reality of the financial side of this business. If there is an update to those engines a year or two later, hopefully it will be better than "match GM" such as the conclusion of this video (). BTW, I had a '96 SVT, traded by '94 SVT, and the '96 finally started to show the promise of that chassis (after the lousy chassis dynamics of the '94 SVT where SVT's better idea was to soften the bushings and the front sway bar). It only took an IRS 3 years later to make it as good as it was going to get (and cancel most of the absurd brake dive).
Will history repeat itself again in 2015 and beyond? That's what we'll just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, the 2015 when it arrives is going to make the S197s look like Model Ts. And my Boss will depreciate to heck (and will be no faster than a 2015 GT, and handle worse with it's crude live axle), as I knew it would. That's life in this hobby.

I think you missed the memo, the S550 is an evolution of the pony car to something it's never been. This will be an evolution as was the Skyline to GTR, 1st Gen Vette to 2nd... It cannot be compared to anything they have done before however, it has captured the Mustang and every little piece of is history in every angle.

It was described to me as, the perfect place the Mustang could have gone. It couldn't have been done any different. The S197 looks extremely dated...

The S197's chassis was optimized in 2002, however, there were budget issues. Very, very, very little is used from 197 to 550. Just like the Fox and Fox4... For the time, the SN95 was quite advanced. I want a good car and I don't mind if Ford uses something borrowed. It has worked wonders in the past...

Another thing, this chassis is design FOR the Mustang just as the previous car. It is being optimized for JUST what the Mustang needs. Not being loaned like the ATS/Camaro. Sharing brings compromise. The Ultimate Mustang chassis has been developed over the last 13 years and possibly even farther into the Fox/Fox-4. This is not a new stab in the dark, it's 50 years in the making.

You think the Z28 is where Ford wants to go? Ford doesn't follow, especially if it leads their customers to a dead end. The GT and GT350 will be the ONLY logical option for road racing, the GT500 will continue to dominate the strip.

All from chassis engineering from Motorsport.

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