Friday, September 12, 2014

Just how good is the 2015 Mustang going to be??

Let’s think back just a couple of years….I remember how much Ford and their engineers boasted when they were developing the 2012 BOSS 302 Mustang.  During early on track testing their goal was to beat the BMW M3 and if you remember, after the Boss 302’s first track time, without much engine tuning or suspension refining, they smashed the times of the M3. That was an awesome accomplishment and the Ford engineers and test drivers said what now?? Who is our competition……..what’s our goal now?

Fast forward just a couple of years and Ford is set to unveil a new Mustang….this time it’s getting serious.  If you have been following the all-new 2015 Mustang talk and internet buzz, you should know that Ford has once again boasted that the new 2015 Mustang GT (with track-pack) is promised to be faster "on-track" than the 2012 BOSS 302.  Okay, if it is.....that will be very impressive!!  Most of the newly promised on track quickness will more than likely come of the new independence rear suspension that will make its debut on the 2015 Mustang.  We can only imagine that the handling on this already quick coupe will raise some eyebrows when they glance at the stopwatches.

So, exactly what will the 2015 Mustang GT's target be this time? The Porsche 911, the Jaguar F-Type, or the new BMW M4???  If not one of these then what?  I recently read another blog post where the author was saying that the 2015 Mustang would be moving up and punching in a different weight class, well the new Pony had better be hitting the weight room or “juicing up” as they say, because the class of cars being mentioned in the same sentence are packing some massive punches!  But I must warn you, if you choose to look at bang for the buck as your gauge, go ahead and get the 2015 Mustang before you read any further because the price tag on the other cars being mentioned will give you a big time case of sticker shock!

Let’s look at a few for comparison;
2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4S, 3.8L Flat Six Cylinder, 400HP, and 0-60 time of 4.2 sec, approx. base $116,000
2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe, 5.0L, Supercharged V8, 550HP, and 0-60 time of 4.0sec, approx. base $90,000
2015 BMW M4, 3.0L, Twin-Turbo Inline Six Cylinder, 425HP, and 0-60 time of 4.0 sec, approx. base $70,000

Now I know what you are saying……Wow, at an MSRP of $33,000 for the 2015 Mustang GT (most likely as tested closer to $40,000), I can buy two or more for the price of the cars on this list, and you would be correct.  But you have to consider the quality and craftsmanship in each brand and as with all things, the brand status! 
I think that as long as Ford has been producing the Mustang they have certainly continued to build on the knowledge and expertise that has kept this pony car trotting at a good pace.  

Yes this year Ford is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Mustang and that’s a big deal, but some folks may ask why?  I hear people say “It’s just another car…..what’s all the fuss about?”  Any vehicle manufacturer that can say they have produced one model for 50 years or more is quite an accomplishment.  After all this milestone has not been reached by very many automotive companies. 

I’m willing to bet that after the dust settles on all the reviews and first drives that the critics will once again be raving about the little pony car that Mr. Ford and Mr. Iacocca brought to life.


Soon enough we will know the question that everyone is asking, just how good is the 2015 Mustang going to be?