Ford's Leaked Display Layout Includes Several Other Exciting Things

"theandysho - drives a SHO" (theandysho)
01/09/2015 at 16:18 • Filed to: None

This morning's post to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has set off a cascade of speculation on if we're getting a new Ford GT-esque car at Detroit. I want to speculate on that a little too, but also say with certainty that if this layout map is accurate, there's a few sure-fire things we can discern from from it. Allow me to zoom / enhance for you and follow along.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

We'll see the standard 2015 GT350 make an appearance. There's not just the GT / GT40 on display. There's a vintage GT350R and at least five 2015 Mustangs on display. I think for sure we can count the new GT350 in.

A new SVT Raptor is coming. We'll be seeing a "SVT Raptor Teaser", which should read as "New F-150 Raptor Prototype" or "pants-ruiningly awesome", which also means there will be a new Raptor (if not announced at Detroit, it's at least in the works).

Ford Performance is absolving all former brands into trim levels . It has every major current performance model in itself (read: GT, ST, SVT, probably SHO and Sport if we're lucky).

More than half the map is missing. Somebody shot this quick and didn't get it all the way open. I'm excited to see what else is in store for us.

Speculation Time!

Something big is getting released at Detroit.

I think we'll see something awesomely mind-blowing, given it's focus and surroundings. But as to what it is? If we see a new Mustang, it will at least be the GT350R, ala Z28, given it's neighboring older brother. That makes sense, but the other cars surrounding it don't. There's a hell of a lot of noise getting made about something like a new Ford GT, particularly over at the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . But I don't think that's what we'll see at NAIAS this year.

Pure speculation: It's not a new Ford GT, but it's something similar.

If I had to put my chips on the table? Here's what I'd call:

It will be a mid-engine car akin to the layout of the GT / GT40. The presence of those two cars doesn't make any sense otherwise. Last year they had the '62 Mustang prototype on display for the 2015 Mustang.

It's as large or larger than the 2015 Mustang. It's on a 22' display, not a 20' like the Hummingbird 2. This would indicate it's a larger car, since the Raptor Teaser is on the same size platform of 22 feet.

I don't think it will look as retro as most people would think. Ford's getting away from the retro craze and while the styling of the old Mark IV car would be a good start, I think the new car will be it's own animal.

It's probably going to target the new Z06. It's also likely that it's development caused Chevrolet to start the mid-engine Corvette rumor mill again.

The name won't be Phoenix, as there's no historic basis there. Phoenix is a code name. Sorry Arizona.

We don't know enough yet. Just pipe down and wait a few days, we'll see what happens.

I'd love to see anything like a new GT. I think another Mustang as headline would disappointment.

theandysho : My name actually is Andy, by the way - I am your typical dorky late-twenty-something, and I travel the United States for work during the week. On the weekends I mess around with cars, videogames, and a dozen other hobbies I try to find time for. I occasionally author posts on Oppositelock and usually they're kinda cool... follow along and see where I wind up.

DISCUSSION (15)

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:24

THUNDERBIRD REVIVAL
*Crazy man post, based solely off the Phoenix name*

theandysho - drives a SHO > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
01/09/2015 at 16:30

I had considered that... I wouldn't say that's impossible, but at the least improbable, and a bit too obvious.

A new T-Bird would be an interesting proposal if it was based off the Mustang platform and had a Lincoln badge on it instead. They need to give that brand something awesome to get people's attention again besides spoken word commercials.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:33

It would have to be a Continental and stick that 427 Crate motor in it instead of an EcoBoost of you're gonna go Lincoln. I'm just a bit insane when it comes to these things.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:34

I'm going to not get myself in trouble, but the FP of Jalopnik's article already insinuated anyhow - the Hummingbird name goes with the GT350. Smaller platform and that it says 2 while parked next to a historic GT350 R is a hint maybe.

Phoenix is the new GT. I'm saying that with no inside info for that part of the game. I could make some calls and find out - but if I made the calls I wouldn't be able to talk about it anymore! And I'm crazy excited too!

Also Mustang 60 is sitting on it's passenger door.

Jcarr > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:35

If you look at the left there they have the GT40 and the GT flanking and facing the Ford logo. The "Phoenix" is directly facing the Ford logo. I'd speculate that this points to "Phoenix" being a new GT.

theandysho - drives a SHO > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/09/2015 at 16:40

It's a vertical display, probably. They did that last year too.

theandysho - drives a SHO > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
01/09/2015 at 16:42

I may be a bit new-hat when it comes to Lincoln, but it needs to ditch the old stigma of it's brand and fast. Preferably with technology and exciting new models.

theandysho - drives a SHO > Jcarr
01/09/2015 at 16:42

It'll at least be a Ford. Also, the three cars make a triangle, which means the Illuminatti are involved.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:43

oh i'm sure, just calling it out, hadn't notice anyone else say anything about it.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:45

Kinja'd!!!

You mean you don't think a large luxury car with a 7.0L V8* powering the rear wheels through a 6 speed manual transmission would be cool?
I think they're doing alright currently but they're not really the Cadillac fighter they could be.

*Not sure if the '63 had a 7.0L or not. Definitely not a 6spd though.
Edit, it did and had bigger than 7.0 too, was only 3 spd auto.

Jcarr > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:47

There it is. 2017 Ford Illuminati EcoBoost. It'll be an autonomous vehicle because with a name like Illuminati, obviously someone else will be controlling it.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/09/2015 at 16:49

Supposedly to see the underbody of the car.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/09/2015 at 16:55

Same exact lines as the rest of the mustangs for the Phoenix and it's the same size as them, too. GT350R is Hummingbird 2, the fire breathing Phoenix is the GT500.

wabbalosthiskey > theandysho - drives a SHO
01/10/2015 at 12:30

A new GT would be fun, but seems more likely it's a Mustang, GT350 or GT500

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
01/12/2015 at 10:33

...yep