Not a big surprise to me. My first impression of the S550 was it looked a lot like an Aston Martin. I think it was a main reason many Mustang purists didn't like the styling when it was initially released. I love the S550 shape but I still think the nose (both the 15-17 and the 18+) are a little...
When the dust settles I agree 500 vs 520 is probably not going to make much of a difference. However, the Dark Horse is not a Bullitt or a Mach 1. Ford chose a whole new name for a supposedly new generation. It makes some sense that expectations were raised.
I guess I don't get the design of the GT upper grille. It looks like the bottom part is not supposed to be showing but it shows because the grille doesn't fit in the opening. 🙂
I agree the vertical dimension is too much in that example, but to me the tablet sticking up out of the dash (especially the base model S650) looks more unimaginative and cheap.
Who said anything about physical gauges? (Although yes they are a still a better aesthetic.) 🙂 The current digital cluster in the 401A package is integrated into the dash without looking like a stuck on iPad. Why not just upgrade the graphics and functionality of that?
Mercedes has figured out...
I wouldn't know yet. My point, which wasn't directed at you, is the new dash simply doesn't look good. It's not about any new functionality or features the new screens might offer.
Front and rear are both growing on me although I wish the taillights were just a little bigger. The side view with the wide hips is what resembles the Camaro but nothing else does.
I think the overall look is more "muscle car" and less "Euro sports car" than the S550. I love the S550 but I'm...
Obviously there are people in that camp, too, but I was only talking about the detractors. I don't think the change resistant and "not enough change" people are the same. It's interesting and different from S550 release because nearly all the S550 critics were change resistant.
I'm not so sure. With the S550 I think there was one crowd that loved the more "modern" look and features from the get go, while the second crowd initially complained it was "too European" and "not a muscle car," etc.
With the S650 I think the first crowd is disappointed the Mustang didn't...
Digital dashes were around multiple decades ago? You do get a Coyote V8 with those analog gauges. 🙂 And a digital dash has been available on the Mustang since 2018.
I think the fact they didn't wait for the EV shows Ford's commitment to appeal to younger buyers. Customers with the most love for the Mustang traditions are getting old and are most resistant to EVs. Ford probably views the S650 as the transition generation. I doubt there will be any Shelby...
Or some of us who like our paid off S550s want to see a clearly more desirable car to be motivated to buy it. With no new platform like 2015 (and arguably not as many desirable new features as 2018 had with magneride, 10-speed auto, and active exhaust, etc.), better styling is crucial. 🙂