TTAC Photochop: New Ford Mustang

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

The fifth gen Mustang's retro-inspired design was inspired; it was the miracle Ford needed to resurrect the spirit of the 'Stang. The fact that the formula was immediately– well, eventually– replicated by Chrysler (Charger, Challenger) and GM (Camaro) is just one measure of the new old-looking Mustang's success. Aesthetics aside, it's time for some fresh blood; '07 sales of the two-plus-two are (at best) stalled at 134,626, down 19.2 percent from '06. Going with the whole déjà vu all over again only better motif, I imagined the Mustang as the same as it is now, only more so. A 2010 Ford pony should remain a paean to Pony cars. I'm thinking dual air intakes next to the front lights, followed by the turn-signals; clean and simple lines underlining the muscles underneath (with Twin-Force V6 reality). Now, if Ford can find a way to add a few inches and make those back seats usable…

[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here.]

Robert Farago
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  • Timoted Timoted on Jan 18, 2008

    I think part of the weight distribution balance comes from the fact that the 5-speed in the V6 is a Tremec T-5. The 5-speed manual in the V8 is the Tremec 3650. I'm not sure what the weight difference is between the two but I do know that they are different. I'm guessing the 3650 can handle the additional torque.I would also imagine that the rear end is a little beefier than the V6 unit.

  • MS6 MS6 on Jan 19, 2008

    I have always though that one key design feature missing from the new design was the 'hip' that started just aft of the door, giving the car's rear quarter a more muscular appearance. In fact, its this feature, and only this feature, that makes the new Camaro look good. The original Mustang had it, and the '69 car actually accentuated it, and even the Guigaro car has it. I wonder why Ford would choose to leave this very important feature out. I used to own a 2005 GT and I was very much pleased with the way the car rode, handled and accelerated, especially after a few adders. I'm very excited to see the Ecoboost motors end up in a Mustang soon, and I think the real key to the success of the Mustang is going to be a more aggressive design, class leading power and lowest price. And the special edition cars need to be fewer and further between, with a greater difference to the base car, and far more exclusive.

  • Rudiger Rudiger on Jan 19, 2008
    MS6: "I have always though that one key design feature missing from the new design was the ‘hip’ that started just aft of the door, giving the car’s rear quarter a more muscular appearance. In fact, its this feature, and only this feature, that makes the new Camaro look good. The original Mustang had it, and the ‘69 car actually accentuated it, and even the Guigaro car has it. I wonder why Ford would choose to leave this very important feature out."I have been similiarly baffled as to why Ford would leave the quarter panel 'kick' off of the S197. It really was an integral styling feature of the original Mustang until it was dropped when the Bunkie Knudson-inspired, horizontal rear-window '71-'73 behemoth arrived (had to have an engine bay large enough for the Lincoln engine block). The quarter panel 'kick' has been noticably absent from all Mustangs ever since.
  • The Luigiian The Luigiian on Mar 19, 2008

    I've seen other Photochops of the new Mustang; I can only hope it looks like this one, because I don't like any of the others. I agree, they need to switch out that 4.0 liter 6. Checking fueleconomy.gov, it says that the engine gets only 19 mpg with automatic, which is less than the heavier (and more powerful) Charger with 3.5 liter. Good luck to Ford, I hope they can make the 'Stang more fuel-efficient; just a couple more mpg out of the base and I would seriously consider it.

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