2015 Mustang Preview -- MotorTrend's best guess

[SVT10th]

If you could redesign the Ford Mustang and make it into anything you'd like what would it be? Would it be small and curvaceous? How about long and edgy? Would it still be powered by a V6 or V8? How about that clunky live axle, would you swap it out for an independent rear suspension or keep it as is? Well Ford's design and engineering teams had to consider all of the above, and a lot more, when redesigning the Mustang and it sounds like things are really coming along. In a recent article, Motortrend Magazine details what they've been hearing from inside sources on the 2015 Mustang's look and feel, as well as details on new powertrain and suspension upgrades.

The first question out of many potential buyers mouths is whether the redesigned Mustang will get an independent rear suspension. The Mustang's nearest rival, the Chevy Camaro, has had an IRS system since it's re-debut in 2010 and while that may lead you to the conclusion that the Camaro out handles the Mustang, you'd be sadly mistaken. In fact most reviews that pitted the latest Mustang and Camaro against each other actually chose the Mustang, with it's archaic live axle, as the better handling vehicle. So that leads to the question of why waste your time with IRS at all? Well according to many reports Ford could have put an IRS in the current Mustang for a mere $100 per car and if that would lead to an even better handling Mustang then the real question may be "why not?" Ford must have seen it that way as well because according to MT they will indeed be dropping the live axle for an independent setup on the 2015 Mustang. Solid axle loyalists need not fret though, word is that it may return in low volume drag racing oriented packages in the coming years.

As for powertrains Motortrend says that the Mustang will keep it's current 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V8 though the "five oh" may get a long rumored direct injection system. As we reported a few months back the SVO moniker may also make an appearance on the 2015 Mustang, with a 2.3L or 2.5L turbocharged ecoboost 4 cylinder under the hood. As for the GT500, just like when the 2005 Mustang made its debut the Shelby will likely remain dormant for a couple of years before being migrated to the new platform. Before that happens though, the GT500 is expected to get one last big upgrade, a supercharged 5.8L making around 600 horsepower!

While Ford is expected to abandon the retro design in 2015, MT says that the new car will still retain many retro styling cues. "There will be plenty of classic Mustang cues even as designers throw out the retro. A long hood, short deck and crisp, creased upper and lower quarter-panels seem a given." The artist's rendering seen above is what MT believes the 2015 Mustang may look like. While that car looks pretty sweet it resembles the current car a little too much for our tastes so we're hoping for a slightly more radical transformation.

Its been long rumored that the Mustang would get a redesign around 2014 but getting your finger on exactly when seemed near impossible. Motortrend, however, was able to zero in on the exact month we'll see it, possibly even the date. You see, the New York International Auto Show just happens to coincide with the Mustang's 50th Anniversary, right down to the date.

April 17th, 2014 is the second press day of the NYIAS and considering it's exactly 50 years from the date the Mustang was revealed at the Worlds Fair it makes perfect sense that it will be the day the 2015 Mustang makes it's debut. Mark it on your calendars!

Source: Muscular Mustangs

[Dennis O'Shea]

The only change would be for me is Black only

[SmokinStang]

I think we will see that it will have:

- Paddle shifters
- 8-Speed Transmission

__________________________________________________ __

Could an 8-Speed automatic transmission find its way into a future Mustang model? It’s looking like that may be possible. There’s an all new Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built eight-speed automatic currently under development. It’s said to feature a number of advanced new technologies that will provide faster, smoother and more positive shifts.

The eight-speed transmission will feature:
• Ford’s next-generation clutch controls
• An input torque sensor, which measures torque coming into the transmission. The sensor enables faster selection of the proper gear, reduces hunting and helps smooth out shifts
• Actuators built into the case for tighter, more precise control of hydraulic pressure
• Closed-loop control

What does all of this mean for the Mustang? It means that we could have a Pony car with 3.31 rear gears that would accelerate like one with a 4.10 gear and have the fuel economy of a car with 3.08s. The 6R80 6-speed auto tranny found in the 2011+ Mustangs has shown the performance potential available from a proper auto. Adding 2 more gears to the spread could help better keep the engine in its peak rev range, while also permit lower cruising RPMs. It’s really the best of both worlds. If it also features the dual-clutch technology found on other Ford transmissions it could potentially have insanely fast shifts. It’s a great time to be a Ford fan.

[ToplessPony94]

Unfortunately, as mileage requirements keep climbing, we will probably all end up with automatic transmissions soon. For me, they're great in a commute car, but I'm not interested in having one in my weekend fun car. I'm all for better mileage in general, but I think there's still a place for manuals with a stick.

[SVT10th]

I can't picture the Mustang with an 8-speed anytime soon -- the one in development will probably end up in Ford's up-scale cars -- the Taurus and Lincolns. Even though the price of the Mustang keeps climbing, it's still supposed to be an "affordable" sports car, aimed at a young segment. I guess we'll see though.

Last time I drove a car with more than 6 gears --a rental VW Jetta with a 7 speed auto, I thought it was terrible. The transmission programming was so concerned with gas mileage that it rushed it's way into top gear. So every time you hit the gas, it had to shift down 2 or 3 gears to give any acceleration. It was less Fahrvergnügen, and more like farfrommovin...

[Mustang5L5]

Can they stop making it bigger and bigger? Every time I pull up next to one I feel like I'm next to a Lincoln town car

[TorchRedSVT]

I don't think we'll ever see paddles or an 8spd transmission in the mustang.....thankfully its one of those "purist" car's that will always have three things going for it:

1. a V8
2. RWD
3. Standard transmission

Whle I do hope they bring back a smaller lighter LX version........it should be interesting.

[ToplessPony94]

Can they stop making it bigger and bigger? Every time I pull up next to one I feel like I'm next to a Lincoln town car

I was hoping that Detroit had learned by now that bigger is often not better.

I had hoped they learned that back in the 70s and 80s.

[91notchback]

im sorry if they get rid of the straight rear axle it will kill these cars...irs for certain options not for a basic car..at least it will be the same base as the 05+ so a sra swap wont be too hard