Paul Gover@PaulWardGover
Mustang possible for Oz after 2014 following unveiling of RHD and IRS model in Amsterdam today. And could it be a base for 2016 Falcon?
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Paul Gover@PaulWardGover
Mustang possible for Oz after 2014 following unveiling of RHD and IRS model in Amsterdam today. And could it be a base for 2016 Falcon?
"Unveiling"? I don't think so Gover. Wrong again...
I think it's just confirmation that it will be heading to Europe.
Ford Mustang promises right-hand drive in 2015
The iconic Ford Mustang will go on sale in Europe, and in right-hand drive, it has been revealed
Ford Mustang promises right-hand drive in 2015
The Ford Mustang will be engineered in right-hand drive for UK markets
Julian Rendell
by Julian Rendell
6 September 2012 2:00pm
Ford has finally bowed to demands from UK enthusiasts and will engineer a right-hand-drive version of the next-generation Ford Mustang pony car. The announcement comes as Ford reveals an expanded line-up, including the Ford Ecosport and Ford Edge.
The model will add a two-door sporty model to Ford’s range, which it has lacked since Ford dropped the Cougar a decade ago.
Currently in development, the new Mustang is said to be based on a much-modified version of the S197 rear-drive platform that’s underpinned the muscle car since 2005.
The styling will retain the strong fastback flavour of the two recent Mustangs, although the dimensions are tipped to tighten a little, which should suit British roads better.
A large part of the project will be to re-engineer the platform to accept right-hand drive, likely to entail re-positioning key componentry from the engine bay and front axle to package the new steering rack and steering column.
Ford is also understood to be equipping the next-gen Mustang with an independently suspended rear axle; prototypes have been spied running the tech in testing.
Although it evaluated an independent axle when it re-launched the Mustang, Ford opted for a traditional live-axle in production. The justification was the live-axle worked better for tuners and drag-racers. However, since then competitors like the Chevy Camaro and Chrysler Challenger have appeared with independent rear ends.
The British Mustang is also likely to miss out on the archetypal musclecar engine — a throbbing 302 cu in (5.0-litre) V8. Instead it’s tipped to be powered by a 300bhp-plus 3.7-litre V6 or a 250bhp four-cylinder turbo EcoBoost, most likely of two-litre capacity.
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16
sirwiggum
Absolutely chuffed that
9 hours 45 min ago
Absolutely chuffed that mainstream coupes are coming back - we're getting the Mustang, Toyota gave us the GT-86, and Mazda are hinting at a 6 coupe.
As much as I usually don't like Fords, this is an exciting prospect! A proper successor to the Capri too (which itself was intended to be a British Mustang!). If they can get the power and MPG balance right, it could be the right car at the right time!
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Frightmare Bob
"this is an exciting prospect!"
9 hours 38 min ago
Not with a 4 cylinder turbo it won't be.
A mustang with no V8 is just a pointless barge.
Can you imaging Ferrari fitting right hand drive versions of thier cars with weedy little engines?
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artill
great news (apart from the
9 hours 34 min ago
great news (apart from the missing V8) that we will finally get it in RHD form. I see a fair number about, so the potential market for a RHD version must be quite big.
Fuel economy shouldnt be a problem with either of the engines mentioned, i would imagine over 30 mpg should be available from both keeping the car out of the current silly tax area. Hopefully Chevy will add the V6 to the Camaro too along with RHD to give them a fight, and us more choice.
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AutoChomp
WHY!
9 hours 14 min ago
No V8, and what will be 10 years too late.
This really grates if it is true. Mustang was my favourite car growing up and always wanted it in RHD and available in UK even if I couldnt afford one at the time. And now we get one based on a 10 yr car which wasnt advanced 10 years ago and no V8!
Sure the new V6 is great, but its never going to be a mass market car in the UK, no why not give the only people who are going to be interested the engine they want?
This better not be true. Who does Ford USAs market research seriously?
www.autochomp.co.uk
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GypsumFantastic
agree about V8
9 hours 13 sec ago
If you are in the UK/Europe surely one of the main reasons someone would buy a Mustang would be for the V8?
We have more than enough 6 cylinder performance coupies in Europe to choose from, that will do the job far better than a Mustang.
If it's only going to be the 4 cylinder engine then you'd be far better off just getting a Focus ST.
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soldi
Pointless
8 hours 50 min ago
What a pointless way for Ford to lose more money.
Sure, there will be those that always wanted a Mustang - but will they buy a watered-down version? And after they've all bought their dream, who else will buy one?
Smells of desparation to me.
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Peter Cavellini
How long?
8 hours 11 min ago
Has it taken the US car industry?,i'm sure it's longer than i'm old(now!, no jokes), be interesting to see if they get it right,because in Britain we have corner, bends etc.
Peter Cavellini.
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Myk
I couldn't disagree more
7 hours 56 min ago
I couldn't disagree with (most) people more. Ford need to be able to shift the Mustang in large enough numbers to make it viable, and they're never going to do that with only V6 and V8 engines. The V8 in particular will only find handfuls of customers, whereas a four cylinder turbo is likely to feature on a lot of shopping lists (at the right price). I do object to them not offering the V8 at all though - we should have the choice.
I'm rather surprised that they've decided to factor in RHD now, 10 years down the line. If they'd have done it back then they would have given themselves far greater potential for recouping the development costs.
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AutoChomp
Myk wrote:I couldn't
7 hours 35 min ago
Myk wrote:
I couldn't disagree with (most) people more. Ford need to be able to shift the Mustang in large enough numbers to make it viable, and they're never going to do that with only V6 and V8 engines. The V8 in particular will only find handfuls of customers, whereas a four cylinder turbo is likely to feature on a lot of shopping lists (at the right price). I do object to them not offering the V8 at all though - we should have the choice.
I'm rather surprised that they've decided to factor in RHD now, 10 years down the line. If they'd have done it back then they would have given themselves far greater potential for recouping the development costs.
Exactly. This is what I meant. Its only going to be a niche product (any 2 door coupe is, nevermind one as large as this) so why not offer the top spec V8 and an eco version. Rumour in the US is a 4cyl version was coming anyway, so its not like its cost more to develop. Whats strange is i remember hearing the platform was not deisgned for RHD. Sure they are doing extensive modifications, but pre recession a Mustang would of sold in decent, if small numbers. Much better than a LHD Camaro now which Chevy have only just decided to release!
The V6 Mustang is $22k in the US.. For once I would be quite happy if they used the $1=£1 conversion which normally screws us over. £22k for a 316BHP V6 Mustang or a £28k Mini hmmm. V6 does 37MPG on Motorway too.
www.autochomp.co.uk
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Orangewheels
Ford has been missing some
7 hours 48 sec ago
Ford has been missing some form of sporty model for a while now, I thought when it didn't add a three door Focus badged as a Coupe as Renault, Vauxhall etc have then it was saving that slot for something special, but nothing as yet.
Regardless of whether it would be nice to have as an enthusiast, I'm not sure the Mustang is the right car to try make a profit on in the UK, and although it is an instant brand builder it tends to remind people that Fords are American when most people in the UK seem to have almost forgotten that fact.
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Orangewheels.co.uk
I don't mind the Idea of Stang. However it must be a V8 or it may as well be a Probe.
Agree but I doubt the 5.0 won't be offered there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elks
If they don't get the 5.0 it'll probably be due to taxes on large capacity motors and/or higher carbon emission.
Yeah they will probably get the V6 and 4cyl Ecoboost, with a V8 for special limited run models.
Me too ... but Poms don't really car for V8s - they'll be perfectly happy with a 300HP V6. Let's just hope they do build it to take the Miami as an option in RHD so we can at least get a hold of one here even if it has to go across the Atlantic first.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elks
Ford Mustang gallops towards Australia
Giddy up: The famous American pony car, the Mustang, is an almost certain starter in Australia from about 2015.
Aussie designers and engineers saddle up for bit part in next global Ford Mustang
7 September 2012
By RON HAMMERTON
FORD’S iconic Mustang is poised for right-hand drive production, opening the door for the muscle car to be launched in Australia in its next generation from about 2015.
And the even better news is that Ford’s Australian designers and engineers are believed to have a hand in the project as part of their global product development contribution.
Ford Australia is tight-lipped about the Australian connection to the American-built “pony car”, but the local branch of the Blue Oval company and its Ford Performance Vehicles offshoot have extensive experience with independent rear-suspension rear-drive large cars and supercharged V8s.
Ford Motor Co president Alan Mulally last night announced in Amsterdam that after 50 years, the Mustang finally will be sold in Europe, including in right-hand drive form for Britain.
“We heard it here first – Mustang, the American icon, is coming to Europe,” he said.
“We will have more details to share in the future. One thing we can say for sure what has made Mustang such a sensation in the US for nearly 50 years soon will be enjoyed by customers in Europe.”
Ford2015 Mustang center imageLeft: 2013 Ford Mustang.
Officially, Ford Australia is non-commital about the possibilities for Mustang in Australia, with public affairs director Sinead Phipps saying: “At this stage, Mustang has been confirmed for Europe but nothing further, so I can’t speculate further than that.”
However, she did not rule out the sixth-generation coupe for Australia, which is under development in the United States.
She also did not rule out an Australian role in the project.
GoAuto understands that Ford Australia designers and engineers – who were responsible for the Ranger ute and related upcoming T6 SUV that is thought to be called Everest –have been enlisted to help with some aspects of the Mustang development.
All of Ford’s global design centres are likely to have been asked to submit a design theme for the car, but the Melbourne-based team is believed to be helping out with at least some aspects to the design and engineering of the rear-drive sports coupe.
The new Mustang reportedly will break with tradition by dispensing with the live rear axle, instead employing an independent rear end.
Ford Australia has extensive experience with such suspension systems via its locally built Falcon, including high-performance variants such as the supercharged V8 Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) GT.
Europe is likely to miss out on the V8 Mustang, instead making do with a more fuel-efficient high-output V6 and possibly a turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder.
No ‘Stang range in Australia would be complete without a V8, and the local model is certain to get the latest version of Ford’s 5.0-litre Coyote, perhaps the supercharged Miami version developed in Australia by FPV – the official Ford hot shop that has just been brought in-house by Ford Australia.
In the US, the current Mustang has a choice of 227kW 3.7-litre V6 or 331kW 5.0-litre V8 engines. A 5.8-litre supercharged version produced by Shelby, called the GT500, is armed with a mega 494kW – more than an Australian V8 Supercar racer.
In Australia, FPV’s GT range is powered by a 335kW/570Nm locally developed supercharged version of the Coyote – an engine that FPV hoped would one day become part of the official Ford family.
When that engine was developed, British-based Prodrive was the majority stakeholder in FPV, with Ford owning 49 per cent.
However, Ford Australia last month announced it would buy out Prodrive and bring the operation in-house.
The Ford Mustang was launched in its first generation in the United States in 1964, creating a sensation around the world and prompting a host of imitators.
The 2+2 coupe was named after the World War 2 Mustang fighter plane, which in turn was named after the breed of wild horse revered in the American west.
The car was famously championed by then Ford vice-president Lee Iacocca, making him a house-hold name around the world.
The Mustang has never been officially sold in Australia by Ford, but hundreds have made their way here over the years, many by private enthusiasts who have had them converted to right-hand drive.
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257A72000627E1