Talked to a Ford project lead over the weekend

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
07/07/2016 at 10:25 • Filed to: None

Guy works on the Mustangs. Obviously, he could not tell me any secrets, but he did tell me they already have the full size clay model of the new generation in the studio.

He told me not to expect any new engines for the refresh that’s coming up in 2018 or so, but to expect more HP.

He mentioned that we’ll be blown away with the handling and power that will come out of the new GT350 and that there might be a different name - not quite sure if he meant there will be a GT350 replacement, or another new model like GT500, or maybe Mach 1 or Bullitt?

He expressed his disdain for the new Lincoln Continental - he (and apparently many Ford employees) feel like the car is nothing special and that it won’t do much for Ford, but that they are planning on selling most of them in China (I didn’t even know they sold Lincolns in China).

All this to be taken with a grain of salt as there were shots involved on top of multiple Jamesons I had.

Smokey Mustang for your time

DISCUSSION (14)

mazda616 > MUSASHI66
07/07/2016 at 10:34

From what I understand, Buick’s crazy popularity in China is making Ford want to try and achieve similar success there with Lincoln.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MUSASHI66
07/07/2016 at 10:41

The handling of the GT350 seems suspect to me. If those Michelins are really pulling Hoosier numbers, it kind of makes me wonder how much is just that and if you’d be able to get pretty close by strapping some Hoosiers to one and dropping in some Konis and Eibachs.

Future next gen S2000 owner > MUSASHI66
07/07/2016 at 10:41

...full size clay model of the new generation in the studio.

Is this the refresh or the next generation post S550?

MUSASHI66 > Future next gen S2000 owner
07/07/2016 at 10:47

He seems to imply that it was the new generation and not the refresh. I was specifically interested in the development cycle - I always wonder if the work on the new generation starts as the current generation is being released because it takes a while to develop a new car.

MUSASHI66 > mazda616
07/07/2016 at 10:48

I say good luck with that - Buick has the name recognition and years of history there.

MUSASHI66 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/07/2016 at 10:49

I am not sure I follow, are you saying make a regular mustang handle like the GT350 with tires, konis and eibachs?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MUSASHI66
07/07/2016 at 10:55

Yes. Have you ever driven a car with all seasons, track-focused summer tires like a Direzza, then slicks? The difference is dramatic. Multiple seconds around an autoX course with each step. The GT350 has a tire developed specifically for it that’s basically a slick, so when I hear people raving about the handling of it, I wonder how much those help. Remember, we’re talking about a 3800 lb slab of steel here, so I’m thinking it’s at the limit from the factory, which is nice, but it’s still a ginormous barge.

-this space for rent- > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/07/2016 at 11:15

Are the Michelin’s a special compound for the GT350 or just a special size?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > -this space for rent-
07/07/2016 at 11:18

I don’t know if it’s a new compound on the regular one, but it does have a bespoke tread pattern and sidewall construction. The one on the R is a new compound as well.

Levitas > MUSASHI66
07/07/2016 at 11:29

If its clay, its next model. Way too late right now for mid-cycle refresh to be in clay. Probably had clays of MCA before or right when the new model launched.

MUSASHI66 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/07/2016 at 12:07

Nope, I never did, but I know it can make a huge difference. I am sure someone out there has already tried that - better shocks, springs and tires are usually the first mod for many car owners.

MUSASHI66 > Levitas
07/07/2016 at 12:08

That’s what I’ve been thinking too.

PushToStart > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/08/2016 at 03:23

But you still won't have that Voodoo V8

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PushToStart
07/08/2016 at 08:12

I’m dying to get my hands on one of those engines because flat pane, but I get the feeling it’s going to end up being so expensive that if given the choice I’d take a Hartley. I’m just talking about the handling.