What direction should the next generation mustang styling go in?

[DeluxeStang]

Common everyman/woman core. Nice enough to desire but not so much as to require white gloves just to drive. A common easy design that allows customization. A custom design is difficult to commonize while a common is easy to customize.

the render (^that rear shot) isn’t bad at all but not as a mustang proper. Maybe a raptor but they already made that a package so maybe scorpion or something along those lines

Part of the issue is a lot of us want to see the return of a smaller, more affordable mustang, while others like this larger more upscale direction the mustang has gone in. For a variety of reasons, engineering a tiny gas powered mustang would be more trouble than it's worth. The smaller the car is, the higher the fuel economy standards are, which makes doing small cars with high performance engines that tend to produce higher emissions, it's harder to meet those standards. This is one of the reasons why the mustang has gotten larger, because larger cars have lower emissions targets, so Ford can still keep the V8 around if they make the car larger.

But if the small coupe is an EV, well then meeting emissions is a non issue. Plus costs are lower. The platform is already in development for other vehicles, since it's a skateboard platform, it wouldn't require a ton of engineering work to put a coupe body on top of it. Compared to if Ford made a new smaller gas sports car platform which would essentially have to be created from scratch and would be super expensive. Another reason why we haven't seen a ton of affordable sports coupes in recent years, you just can't make money on a standalone low volume product with a bespoke platform that sells for 25k.

Splitting the mustang into multiple coupes is a bold move, but it could end up paying off if both are well executed.

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[Bear376]

Sorry, but car size has little to do with emission standards or fuel economy regulations. That is why everyone has gone to SUVs, is because they fall under truck standards which is less stringent. This might be part of the reason behind the Mustang Mach E is they found some way to offset the Coyote engine in the regs.

The Mustang has been able to maintain a weight of around 3000 lbs. until the SN95. Even so, it has been getting heavier every generation. Part of it is due to insurance/safety pressure. More rigid chassis and crash bracing, air bags, etc. The original Mustang were hardtops, which means no support for the roof at the rear of the door. To sate the safety gods, all cars now have pillars at the doors to add rollover protection. They install Coyote engines in SN95 Mustangs all the time, so the smaller size is not the issue. The 650 actually has a shorter wheelbase than the 65 Mustang. It is longer overall and taller and wider than the 65.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Just for the record, Ford has been saying they need to cut weight on the Mustang for the last 3 generations. For whatnever reason it never comes to fruition.

 

[dusman59]

Glass roof works well even in AZ. I would have bought it again on my MY24.

 

[broncoboy22]

Glass roof works well even in AZ. I would have bought it again on my MY24.

Same in SoCal!

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Just for the record, Ford has been saying they need to cut weight on the Mustang for the last 3 generations. For whatnever reason it never comes to fruition.

I don't even know how they'd go about it without making this car more trouble than its worth. The safety regulations and everything are a double edged sword. If they made it smaller, cabin space would get cramped, and the engine bay would suffer the same. Would make working on the car a pita.

It's certainly a heavy car, but its no heavier than the current M4, which is roughly the same size and weight, even with the smaller engine. It sucks, but thats how it is. The reality of modern cars.

 

[Zig]

I don't even know how they'd go about it without making this car more trouble than its worth. The safety regulations and everything are a double edged sword. If they made it smaller, cabin space would get cramped, and the engine bay would suffer the same. Would make working on the car a pita.

It's certainly a heavy car, but its no heavier than the current M4, which is roughly the same size and weight, even with the smaller engine. It sucks, but thats how it is. The reality of modern cars.

When using a skateboard platform, start with a convertible and then add the top (roof/coupe), fore and aft overhang would be relative to the shell.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

When using a skateboard platform, start with a convertible and then add the top (roof/coupe), fore and aft overhang would be relative to the shell.

Skateboard platform? Like a body on frame?

 

[Zig]

Skateboard platform? Like a body on frame?

It is only design that implies skateboard is exclusively ev

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Oh.
uh. okay?

 

[Zig]

Oh.
uh. okay?

Why does the skateboard need electric motors? Can an ice generator supplant a magnetic drive?

 

[Q6543]

The past is not coming back, the future of the mustang will be a bumper, maybe hood refresh, a raptor version, perhaps someday an R, a new halo, a 4 door sedan, and a renewed push into Mach E, EV…
These threads are just fantasy waifu jaggin

Eventually ending in a 5k lb plus EV coupe…. That likely never competes with Tesla.
That’s the future

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Why does the skateboard need electric motors? Can an ice generator supplant a magnetic drive?

Yes, an ICE can provide additional power to the electric drivetrain, wether through physical torque, or through electric charge to the battery. The downside is the added weight and complexity.

Why are we even talking about this

 

[Zig]

The past is not coming back, the future of the mustang will be a bumper, maybe hood refresh, a raptor version, perhaps someday an R, a new halo, a 4 door sedan, and a renewed push into Mach E, EV…

Eventually ending in a 5k lb plus EV coupe…. That likely never competes with Tesla.
That’s the future

If we wanted a hot golf cart i’d buy vw, don’t forget they own bugatti

 

[Zig]

Why are we even talking about this

Need a core to design around

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