S650 Mid Cycle Refresh

[BoostRabbitGT]

There seems to be a lot of love for the fox body and new edge in niche enthusiasts circles. Here's how I feel about that. Taking inspiration from the new edge or fox body for the next V8 coupe would be a massive mistake.

The love for those cars seems a lot more hit and miss than for things like a 60s mustang. Something like a 1967 mustang gt 500 is timelessly beautiful in a way a foxbody or new edge will never be, and as such, appeals to a much broader range. Pretty much everyone I've ever met regardless of age, or how into cars they were, loved the looks of 60s mustangs. Ford should evolve the design, but stick to that, in a similar fashion to how Porsche has kinda found a shape for the 911 that works really well. Non car enthusiasts find the fox body/new edge generic or ugly, and even within enthusiast crowds, it's very hit or miss. Making a mustang V8 coupe look like a new edge would result in sales dropping like a rock.

I personally believe although it doesn't make everyone happy, the best solution is keep the V8 coupe looking like a larger muscle car, but offering a smaller affordable mustang hatchback on this new EV platform with foxbody/new edge inspired styling. There was already a fox body hatchback, so bring back an affordable sporty hatchback with foxbody styling.

How about taking inspiration from the '69 Boss 302?

I don't know how to translate the rear-end of this fastback to modern aesthetics, but I think if they were able to make it happen, it could really stand out from the S550/S650. And as much as I love the New Edge (the front end looks like it's smiling, yet still looks aggressive to me---something I haven't seen lately in car design save for the Miata and BRZ), I think Ford could pull off a nicer retro front end with the advancements in headlight/DRL technology than the S197.

As for the potential "smaller affordable Mustang hatchback", I really can't see it happening under $40K starting unless that "30K" "Model-T" moment Ford claims actually happens. The vaporware that is the Mach-4 feels to me more likely to become a reality sooner than that. Lastly, if this is only sold as an EV, I think this car needs to have available as an option it's own take on Active Exhaust---"Active Accelerator Audio"---but make it customizable like something from Need for Speed Heat/Unbound using audio from all sorts of Mustang.

Okay, rambling over for the time being.

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[Q6543]

60s mustangs are gross… 70s too…
nope, Ford needs to clean sheet look forward

FYI they are openly showing you the future plans and investments… this is your new platform

and yes… of course it will weigh 5K lbs

 

[Zig]

How about taking inspiration from the '69 Boss 302?

I don't know how to translate the rear-end of this fastback to modern aesthetics, but I think if they were able to make it happen, it could really stand out from the S550/S650. And as much as I love the New Edge (the front end looks like it's smiling, yet still looks aggressive to me---something I haven't seen lately in car design save for the Miata and BRZ), I think Ford could pull off a nicer retro front end with the advancements in headlight/DRL technology than the S197.

As for the potential "smaller affordable Mustang hatchback", I really can't see it happening under $40K starting unless that "30K" "Model-T" moment Ford claims actually happens. The vaporware that is the Mach-4 feels to me more likely to become a reality sooner than that. Lastly, if this is only sold as an EV, I think this car needs to have available as an option it's own take on Active Exhaust---"Active Accelerator Audio"---but make it customizable like something from Need for Speed Heat/Unbound using audio from all sorts of Mustang.

Okay, rambling over for the time being.

You mean like:

 

[Kiyalami]

We're talking a mid cycle refresh here. Not a brand new redesign. And I hate to tell you, but the screens and technology are here to stay. Sounds to me like you need to go get yourself a nice foxbody.

Plly, a Mach 1

 

[AZ_Ryan]

60s mustangs are gross…

Said literally no one ever.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Ford needs to pull their heads out of their asses and make the next gen Mustang smaller, lighter, faster, look better, have a nicer interior, make it cost 30k, and include a time machine back to the 90s, so I can live without all this scary technology!!!

Signed,
Literally half the people on this forum.

 

[Paul's stable]

This is something I've thought about lately, and has got me beginning to wonder if some of the prototypes we've seen recently - namely the one with the vertical rectangular exhaust - is actually a refresh with some extreme upgrades instead of a boss or a GT500. Seems far-fetched, and I doubt it's true, but it's a thought that won't go away.

Ford is not coming out with a GT500 period! That name is trademarked to Shelby. As they are no longer working together if there is another GT500 it will be a Shelby not Ford.

 

[Paul's stable]

Ford needs to pull theirs heads out of there asses and make the next gen Mustang smaller, lighter, faster, look better, have a nicer interior, make it cost 30k, and include a time machine back to the 90s, so I can live without all this scary technology!!!

Signed,
Literally half the people on this forum.

More of us would like to go back to the 60/70'S the land of the big blocks.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

Ford is not coming out with a GT500 period! That name is trademarked to Shelby. As they are no longer working together if there is another GT500 it will be a Shelby not Ford.

Nah, I know that - I was referring to it as such because we have no idea what it'll be called as of yet, but we do know it'll take its place.

More of us would like to go back to the 60/70'S the land of the big blocks.

Uh, not me?

I like being able to have a little fun with the imports I come across on the road. If we go back to the 60's/70's that goes away...

 

[LouG]

Quick, name a car that's faster and cheaper than a base Mustang GT...

I don't get where this argument keeps coming from that Ford needs to add value. The premium interiors are quite nice and the base is by no means bad. If you want "nicer", then go buy a Cadillac. I'm sure they have plenty more added value.

100%. I'm glad I'm not the only one that likes the interior.

 

[LouG]

Totally agree with SINBUSTER. I plan to sell or trade my 2024 before the warranty is up. Out of warranty is when these cars will hit you in the wallet! What is the cost of a new dash out of warranty? The car is a great car, but it could have been made to last. If the Mustang is your forever car you better buy a great extended warranty.
Also keep in mind most car makers provide parts for ten years. After that you are SOL...sure out of luck!!
If you want a forever keeper buy a 65-66 Mustang and drive a slow car fast!

I would rather pay $5k ( or whatever) for a new screen once in a blue moon, than drop $10k every year on depreciation, as on my last 4 new cars.
Plus, because the Ford is a traditional front engine/rear drive, I'll be able to do maintenance more more easily than on some Euro turbo AWD rocket once the warranty's gone.

 

[Frogdog1]

Quick, name a car that's faster and cheaper than a base Mustang GT...

I don't get where this argument keeps coming from that Ford needs to add value. The premium interiors are quite nice and the base is by no means bad. If you want "nicer", then go buy a Cadillac. I'm sure they have plenty more added value.

When Mustangs first came out in 1964, they weren't exactly lush with luxury, horsepower, and exquisite fine materials, yet people went nuts over them, and, at the time, they weren't inexpensive cars, nor were they expensive....just like right now.

What it amounts to is that a bunch of people think almost 500 hp standard, with leather and plastic interiors (same as Cadillacs interiors) should be inexpensive. Yeah, like you said, go find an inexpensive competitor.

A lot of people don't have much money because they feel that debt is the way to live to have all the "nice" material things. I like living with nice things and no debt. Mustangs aren't expensive, people just have expensive taste and too much debt. Hard, smart work while saving money = nice things without debt. Ta da!!

 

[AZ_Ryan]

More of us would like to go back to the 60/70'S the land of the big blocks.

No need to go back. Just hop online and open your wallet.

 

[Puddinpop]

Ford needs to pull theirs heads out of there asses and make the next gen Mustang smaller, lighter, faster, look better, have a nicer interior, make it cost 30k, and include a time machine back to the 90s, so I can live without all this scary technology!!!

Signed,
Literally half the people on this forum.

I'd take lighter and faster everything else I'm good with now. 30k won't happen but at least keep it under 50k.

 

[DeluxeStang]

How about taking inspiration from the '69 Boss 302?

I don't know how to translate the rear-end of this fastback to modern aesthetics, but I think if they were able to make it happen, it could really stand out from the S550/S650. And as much as I love the New Edge (the front end looks like it's smiling, yet still looks aggressive to me---something I haven't seen lately in car design save for the Miata and BRZ), I think Ford could pull off a nicer retro front end with the advancements in headlight/DRL technology than the S197.

As for the potential "smaller affordable Mustang hatchback", I really can't see it happening under $40K starting unless that "30K" "Model-T" moment Ford claims actually happens. The vaporware that is the Mach-4 feels to me more likely to become a reality sooner than that. Lastly, if this is only sold as an EV, I think this car needs to have available as an option it's own take on Active Exhaust---"Active Accelerator Audio"---but make it customizable like something from Need for Speed Heat/Unbound using audio from all sorts of Mustang.

Okay, rambling over for the time being.

Hell yeah, love where you're going with this, I could try to sketch up a new mustang inspired by the '69.


As for sound, let's just say we have pretty similar ideas...

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