Is this a mid-engine S650?

[Crew4991]

One can only wonder what Ford might be cooking up under there! Cool sight to see.

C8 ZR1 destroyer? We could only wish for that.

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[9secondko]

Could be some kind of GTD step-down project.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

Hypothesis.

Like I said: An assumption. A guess. Based on little more than a hunch.

FYI: TT builds are for tooling process confirmation for new platforms/programs, and are used prior to pilot builds. They are not for "testing something inconsequential" with "low impact" ...

Been doing this for ~40 years. Our major sub-component is in that mule. It's in your car, my car, and (as of earlier this year) 20 million other Ford and Linconln vehicles. It is in ~77% of every North American market Ford and Lincoln SUV, light truck, and sedan (Mustang) produced since 2013.

Before I proceed, I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to argue or detract from anything you're saying. Genuinely just a curious forum user who has some thoughts and ideas, is all.

I'll say that I'm very familiar with the area and I'm also very familiar with the industry, hence some of my assumptions. Again, throwing this out here because I'm getting the impression I may have irked you.

I still maintain that I'm not confident this is just a GTD mule. Ford doesn't need to manufacture an entire GTD to test things, I understand that, but I don't know if it would make sense to invest in a mule that's still running experimental parts from over a year ago and retrofit everything under the skin of the car, unless the mule is serving multiple purposes. That's why I'm guessing that this is probably more than just a GTD.

I think we're on the same page, but our ideas of where Ford could be going with this differ greatly.

As you and I both know the people responsible for assembling/driving that mule would know best. In all likelihood, they're just not allowed to talk about it, so if they were on these forums they would probably remain silent.

 

[roadpilot]

Before I proceed, I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to argue or detract from anything you're saying. Genuinely just a curious forum user who has some thoughts and ideas, is all.

Thoughts and ideas are always good.

I'll say that I'm very familiar with the area and I'm also very familiar with the industry, hence some of my assumptions. Again, throwing this out here because I'm getting the impression I may have irked you.

You haven't irked me. I'm simply saying that your comments are made with a matter of fact point of view, yet you have provided absolutely nothing to base them on. In or out of the automotive manufacturing world, we still call those guesses.

I still maintain that I'm not confident this is just a GTD mule.

Again, based on what information beyond a hunch or a feeling?

 

[Mr Hyde]

Wrong. If you lived/worked in this area, you would understand.

well i obviously don't. I've seen too many half-baked dipsticks doing stupid things to their cars to be special regardless how stupid the mods may seem. No reason to be an ass about it all you had to do was explain what was going on for those of us unfamiliar with what's going on.

 

[roadpilot]

well i obviously don't. I've seen too many half-baked dipsticks doing stupid things to their cars to be special regardless how stupid the mods may seem. No reason to be an ass about it all you had to do was explain what was going on for those of us unfamiliar with what's going on.

That's what I did. Sorry your thin skinned.

 

[JJZ_109]

So likely not mid-engine, but definitely related to the GTD design. Likely a GTD mule.

Yes. Likely Transaxle. .

 

[DeluxeStang]

Looks like a GTD sans wing. Which is quite interesting by itself. The logical conclusion is Ford is testing out more affordable mustang models below the GTD with that rear mounted transmission.

There's realistically no reason for Ford to spend more time and effort to remove the rear wing if this was just another GTD mule.

 

[DeluxeStang]

No chance it’s mid engined, the body of the mustang would have to be vastly altered to support a mid engined platform. What I see is some very wide tires and some aggressive aero (vents at the bottom of the back window exiting through the trunk lid like the GTD). Looks like a test mule for another high performance model, possibly slotting under the GTD as a middle ground. New GT350 equivalent maybe.

Probably this GTD lite we've heard about which apparently will start at around 100 grand or a little less. Likely running the GTD powertrain with the normal S650 body/chassis as we expected.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Because they still do all kinds of testing with mules. Could be for next year, the year after or even further. They don't build a new mule for every model year.

Again, if you lived around here and if you were involved in the auto industry, you'd understand. Been here most of my life and have worked supporting this industry for nearly 40 years. Everybody you meet around SE Michigan either works for, worked for, or has/had someone they know work for one of the auto companies or suppliers.

Nah, there's no widebody, no wing, even the decklid is different, the dual intakes are just crudely bolted on here rather than smoothly integrated into the design like on the GTD. It wouldn't make much sense imo to make the later test mules of the GTD less production accurate than the earlier miles which were basically 1 to 1 of what the final car is gonna be like.

 

[Radiant]

Could be some kind of GTD step-down project.

That seems logical, the "GTD Lite" is supposed to share the powertrain. Could be testing the stripped-down version for the future vehicle.

 

[roadpilot]

Nah, there's no widebody, no wing, even the decklid is different, the dual intakes are just crudely bolted on here rather than smoothly integrated into the design like on the GTD. It wouldn't make much sense imo to make the later test mules of the GTD less production accurate than the earlier miles which were basically 1 to 1 of what the final car is gonna be like.

You just don't understand the industry.

 

[Mr Hyde]

That's what I did. Sorry your thin skinned.

No you didn't, all you had to say was Hey this is how it works not starting your post with Wrong. Substitute ideas for phrasing Its a test mule for an idea ford is working on, or This is actually common here and its easy to misunderstand for those who don't live in the area. Remember i cant see you face, tone, body language. You came off as a smarmy know it all. I don't have thin skin at all, thanks, my job doesn't allow that. i need to maintain calm or people have really, really bad day as in their last day so pardon me if i cant read minds.

 

[roadpilot]

I don't have thin skin at all, thanks, my job doesn't allow that. i need to maintain calm or people have really, really bad day as in their last day so pardon me if i cant read minds.

Been there, done that. ~12 years. Being in that line of work doesn't mean someone can't be thin skinned. Sadly, I knew some who were. Stay safe.

 

[9secondko]

Spotted this morning in SE Michigan. The license plate is a manufacturer plate.

not sure that this relates to a transaxle. But f so, they could do with just the venting.

the scoops below the rear window are what pique the interest.

in addition to the “baby GTD” (a cobra, GT500 class) possibility, it could be that Ford is in the early stages of vetting a midengine concept in order to see what the trade offs will be for what has historically been a car with 4 seats (being slightly generous).

the pony car segment has an interesting battle ahead of it as recent years have suggested with the advent of mass market electric vehicles and the need to really stand out with clear purpose in such a market. It will have to perform better than ever by an order of magnitude. This may well be an admission of that.

I’m sure we will find out soon enough as the usual suspects get to sleuthing.

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