Q&A with Dave Pericak

[Whiskey11]

With all the secrecy on weight, I just have this sneaking suspicion that we are going to see a slight gain on all models. Ford went out of their way on the F150 to tell us about the 700 pound weight loss. Still nothing for the Mustang. It won't spoil it for me if it picks up a minimal amount say less than 100 pounds. But it will be a BIG disappointment with all the hype about weight loss leading up to it.

One worry that I do have is that they might be pouring over parts from suppliers and having them reduce mass by making the parts thinner, having more open spaces and the like to save every gram/ounce they can. This could lead to poor build quality. I'm sure its a fine line between quality and reducing mass. I think I'd rather have a slightly heavier vehicle with better quality materials than a lighter one with cheaper materials or quality.

Here's to hoping it still drops a little for each model though. I will reserve judgement.

Did the quality of Mazdas go down when they started switching over to the Gram Theory? I don't think so but I don't spend that much time in Mazdas.

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[Free Agent]

Did the quality of Mazdas go down when they started switching over to the Gram Theory? I don't think so but I don't spend that much time in Mazdas.

I don't spend ANY time in Mazdas. ;)

 

[Whiskey11]

I don't spend ANY time in Mazdas. ;)

Well from my limited experience the quality has gone up since they made the switch. They have done well enough for themselves that they now actually have a market share. I see their cars EVERYWHERE so that is a good sign! With how relatively solid the S197 chassis is, I don't see them stepping away from that recipe.

As much as it pains me to say it, I have no doubt in my mind that if lightening a certain part compromised the Cover Your Ass that Ford has to do, they wont do it. Warranty claims on creaking interior panels is a waste of money, they know that! ;)

 

[Deroxas2.0]

Wait the EB4+PP will have only 10mph less top speed than the V8? Wow did I read that correctly.

 

[wproctor411]

Ok, my point still stands as the important part was the delta between weights. I have yet to hear what the Ecoboost 2.0L weighs with turbo plumbing and all that... hell I can't even find what just the block weighs so that packaged weight is as close as we get.

Still if the GT is going to remain the same weight, that puts the Ecoboost somewhere in the upper 3400's to low 3500's for weight... Kinda a pig for a Turbo 4. Come on Ford, bring on 3300lbs or less!

On wiki the I4 is 328 lbs and that makes since. So 101 less than the Yote.
Ford lists packaged weights including the wood/plastic shipping crates...
The ecoboost 2.0 weighs about 66lbs less than the coyote V8 in shipping form
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=22999
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=13113

 

[nametoshowothers]

Wait the EB4+PP will have only 10mph less top speed than the V8? Wow did I read that correctly.

Both are electronically governed to a set speed based on tires and aero, etc. not what they can actually achieve

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Wait the EB4+PP will have only 10mph less top speed than the V8? Wow did I read that correctly.

Electronically governed - however it does not state how long it takes to actually get there - the all important rates of acceleration.

 

[Jarstang]

Here's a few miscellaneous tidbits, not from Pericak, but some credible sources that will remain unnamed.

• "Aggressive goals" = aggressive goals. This is not euphemistic marketing speak and work is still being done in this area.
• Weight has been lost. This is a work in progress as stated.
• Power increase is also a work in progress.
• MT82 has received significant attention even though reported problems were greatly exaggerated.
• Materials and processes used for the new platform are more advanced than have been announced at this point (hence points 1 & 2).
• Diffuser color is trim-related on the prototypes. It may also be on production cars.
• Interior packages will be simplified.
• Reverse camera is standard on every car.

 

[StangFX]

Well it sounds like pretty positive stuff which is good. i'm kind of surprised weight is still a work in progress at this point.. we must be 4-5 months away from taking orders.

 

[C00KIE M0NSTER]

Awesome

• "Aggressive goals" = aggressive goals. This is not euphemistic marketing speak and work is still being done in this area.
• SWEET^
• Weight has been lost. This is a work in progress as stated.
• SWEET^
• Power increase is also a work in progress.
• MT82 has received significant attention even though reported problems were greatly exaggerated.
• Materials and processes used for the new platform are more advanced than have been announced at this point (hence points 1 & 2).
• Diffuser color is trim-related on the prototypes. It may also be on production cars.
• ^I actually like the two tone color matched diffusor. I hope it stays.
• Interior packages will be simplified.
• Reverse camera is standard on every car.

 

[nametoshowothers]

Well it sounds like pretty positive stuff which is good. i'm kind of surprised weight is still a work in progress at this point.. we must be 4-5 months away from taking orders.

I think it comes down to final production weights from suppliers. The cars have been assembled with preproduction parts and potentially some components on the cars seen are not production, especially under the hood. So even though the design is set, it has not been fully made it through production and therefore ford does not have an exact weight.

 

[MYs197]

• Diffuser color is trim-related on the prototypes. It may also be on production cars.

Whew..

If they know whats good they'll keep the painted diffuser off the GT!

 

[JohnZiraldo]

Whew..

If they know whats good they'll keep the painted diffuser off the GT!

I would much rather have it there and repaint it to full black than have to do the reverse if I wanted it.

It does look good in some colors.

 

[Husker]

I would much rather have it there and repaint it to full black than have to do the reverse if I wanted it.

It does look good in some colors.

That's what Plasti Dip is for.

 

[Tony Alonso]

That's what Plasti Dip is for.

Ugh!

It would be nifty if the option to have painted or not painted was in the order guide, as opposed to tied to a trim level. To me, this is like "spoiler delete", which is another option box I would check as opposed to having a spoiler based on trim level.

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