Ford is on a roll as of late as they have discovered that there is a thirst in North America for European inspired cars that are adorn with the blue oval. We have never been a huge fan of the brand as they had always seemed to be lacking something in the cars that they sold on this continent. We always wanted to drive a number of their European market only cars like the Cosworth, Focus RS or Mondeo ST, and we would have literally wet ourselves to drive the latest Falcon GT that is sold in Australia.
Instead here in North America we got the Taurus SHO and the Contor SVT, Cougar Sport, and more bloated and under powered Mustangs than you could shake a stick at. For this reason I was always under the impression that this market place Ford only sold two vehicles, the F150 Pick-up and the Mustang.
Fortunately all of this has now changed and it is hard to argue that the new One Ford mantra hasn’t dramatically increased the brand sex appeal. It is hard to believe that the turnaround started with the smallest car in the brand, their entry level commuter vehicle the Fiesta. Ford has then parlayed this success into a dramatically different Focus and moderately improved Taurus and Explorer. This spring the brand announced that they had allowed their European design studio overhauled the styling of the 12 year old Escape, and the never attractive Fusion. Turning the Escape into a curvy high tech SUV and the Fusion into well…. Let’s face it an affordable four door Aston Martin.
We are now hearing rumors that the retro styled Mustang is about to take a step into the 21 century as it adopts many of the styling cues from the Ford Evos Concept that was shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This would include a similar Vantage inspired nose and fast back angled rear glass, which could mean hatch back. We have also read rumors stating that without a doubt the solid rear axle that has been in use since the original Mustang rolled off the assembly line 48 years ago will be finally replaced by and all independent rear suspension.
Ford Evos Concept as shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
The fuel feeding this fire is that the European market will never purchase a sports car with such ancient technology. So for the new Mustang to conform to the demands of the One Ford Global Model Policy the costs of such development will have to be absorbed by selling a serious number of Mustangs that drive on the wrong side of the pond and road. Don’t expect Ford to stop the development process there either. No confirmation is available yet, but look for a return of the turbocharged Mustang, starting with the V6. Ford is reportedly working on an EcoBoost 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that could certainly produce over 300 hp. As to whether an EcoBoost V6 could replace the V8 like in the F150 Pick-up, time will tell but until then I think Ford is very happy with their 420hp 5.0-liter V8.
Look for a new dramatically styled re engineered Mustang to be invited to all of the brands 50th birthday parties in 2015. As there would be no greater gift to the loyal fan base then showing off the future of the brand, solidifying its appeal for years to come.
Possibly the 2015 Ford Mustang???
The rending above was commissioned by Autoguide.com and was completed by Artist Jon Sibal. Great Job Jon! We hope Ford is listening!
