Next Ford Mustang could have AWD option on new chassis architecture
#1
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https://www.leftlanenews.com/next-ge...-with-awd.html
They had better not screw this up. Actually it kind of reminds me of when they went to the Fox Body platform in 1979. Back then they were radically nothing like Mustangs of 1964-1973. A worst case scenario would be that this is more like when Ford wanted the Mazda co-designed MX6/Probe platform to underpin the new Mustang. People revolted and Ford kept the Fox around while selling the Probe separately.
This time around I'm not sure the Mustang community would be nearly as vocal about it to prevent the current RWD-only platform from being phased out.
Anyway, why does a Mustang NEED all wheel drive? It's not that kind of car at all. All these poor decisions under Hackett are not boding well for the future.
They had better not screw this up. Actually it kind of reminds me of when they went to the Fox Body platform in 1979. Back then they were radically nothing like Mustangs of 1964-1973. A worst case scenario would be that this is more like when Ford wanted the Mazda co-designed MX6/Probe platform to underpin the new Mustang. People revolted and Ford kept the Fox around while selling the Probe separately.
This time around I'm not sure the Mustang community would be nearly as vocal about it to prevent the current RWD-only platform from being phased out.
Anyway, why does a Mustang NEED all wheel drive? It's not that kind of car at all. All these poor decisions under Hackett are not boding well for the future.
#2
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When a CAR company declares they will stop selling CARS - I imagine things can only go bad from there.
I’m sure their Trucks and SUVs will be where all the $$$$$ goes.
Very little investment in the Mustang from what i see.
Original plan was to have a new RWD platform to make it smaller, lighter to better compete with Camaro which has superior chassis but that was scraped.
I’m sure their Trucks and SUVs will be where all the $$$$$ goes.
Very little investment in the Mustang from what i see.
Original plan was to have a new RWD platform to make it smaller, lighter to better compete with Camaro which has superior chassis but that was scraped.
#5
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It's just not part of what makes a Mustang a "Mustang". It's a RWD muscle coupe. I know Dodge added AWD to the Challenger and that's because the core chassis architecture was designed for it already (Charger, 300C) but it still didn't make sense for the challenger to deviate from rear-drive. The Mustang and Camaro are the same. It's just not needed on these kinds of cars when you have modern traction control and winter tires.
The engine variants for today's Mustangs that aren't V8's don't bother me though. I figure a hybrid version is inevitable (although I hope given the volume Ford offers any standardized hybrid Mustang line with manuals since Honda's CR-Z 6MT at least showed how to do that in principle). But AWD or even possibly not having a longitudinally mounted engine and drive-train... those things would alienate both hardcore and mainstream fans of this muscle car. I'm not expecting that Ford would attempt to turn the Mustang into the equivalent of a Skyline R33 GT-R (rear-biased part-time AWD with longitudinal engine). That would be too extreme and expensive combined with the move to this new platform.
I see electrified Mustangs as being inevitable eventually but the core philosophy of what the Mustang is, how it is laid out and how it drives are concepts and impressions that have to stay with this car to keep its soul alive.
The engine variants for today's Mustangs that aren't V8's don't bother me though. I figure a hybrid version is inevitable (although I hope given the volume Ford offers any standardized hybrid Mustang line with manuals since Honda's CR-Z 6MT at least showed how to do that in principle). But AWD or even possibly not having a longitudinally mounted engine and drive-train... those things would alienate both hardcore and mainstream fans of this muscle car. I'm not expecting that Ford would attempt to turn the Mustang into the equivalent of a Skyline R33 GT-R (rear-biased part-time AWD with longitudinal engine). That would be too extreme and expensive combined with the move to this new platform.
I see electrified Mustangs as being inevitable eventually but the core philosophy of what the Mustang is, how it is laid out and how it drives are concepts and impressions that have to stay with this car to keep its soul alive.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 08-30-18 at 11:23 PM. Reason: grammatical fix
#7
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Agreed, AWD is not making a whole lot of sense from a car enthusiast's perspective, but it will likely be a hit for sales, just like adding a 4 cyl. back in and keeping the price in check...V8 only but those in favor are in the minority
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#8
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If nothing else the shift to AWD might prevent a few possible post-Cars and Coffee incidents.
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#9
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Lincoln can and should have their own RWD/AWD luxury coupe. All the other luxury brands are doing it. But the Ford Mustang isn't an AWD car.
#10
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You can still get in trouble with powerful AWD cars too when trying to show off. I think we would still see some fantastic Mustang wrecks leaving Cars and Coffee even with AWD.
#11
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I think if they do the next Continental on RWD platform which they can share with a the new Mustang and give it a similar interior/quality as the Navigator it is going to be a hit. For a FWD based car I think it looks pretty good now. They can also do a RWD Mark 7 or 8 coupe for Lincoln.
You can still get in trouble with powerful AWD cars too when trying to show off. I think we would still see some fantastic Mustang wrecks leaving Cars and Coffee even with AWD.
You can still get in trouble with powerful AWD cars too when trying to show off. I think we would still see some fantastic Mustang wrecks leaving Cars and Coffee even with AWD.
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#12
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Yeah it was initially reported that the Aviator will be on the Mustang platform. But given this news, I think it's actually the other way around. They built this new RWD-based AWD platform for the Explorer/Aviator and perhaps the Continental, and are putting the Mustang on it also, to save development and production costs.
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