autoevolution
 

2015 Ford Mustang Got Fat, But Not By 300 Pounds

Remember we reported a couple of days ago that Steeda Autosports proclaimed "the 2015 Mustang ended up gaining 200-300 pounds" over the outgoing model? Well, that was just an utterly stupid presumption courtesy of the largest independent manufacturer of Ford performance parts in America.
2015 Ford Mustang got big-boned 1 photo
Photo: original photo by Ford, edited by autoevolution
Steeda employee and Mustang6G forum member 'Seth@Steeda' clarified the hottest automotive topic in the U.S. with a simple, two-line long answer that goes like "Based on our experience working with IRS mustangs in the past we estimated what the weight addition will be. In addition current industry trends with new cars show additional weight being added for various new safety and comfort features."

Let's get this straight, 'Seth@Steeda' - how can you friggin' declare on the World Wide Web that the 2015 Ford Mustang gained 200 to 300 pounds (90 – 136 kg) by estimating what the weight addition will be? You don't even mention what kind of equipment was used to determine the extra lard. But the final and most aggravating straw is the "new cars show additional weight being added for various new safety and comfort features" part.

Aww shucks, and we thought that more complex go-faster components such as the rear independent suspension ensemble might have something to do with the speculated extra weight. Steeda Autosports, we will offer this piece of advice free of charge, so pay attention: you must refrain from such petty unscientific declarations if you don't want your reputation to go downhill or lose your loyal customers. Comprendre? Good.

Due to the fact that recurring autoevolution readers John, Marc, CurlyQHoward and Brian all expressed big disappointment over the aforementioned weight gain, it's our duty to further dig into this matter and try to clear things up. Because the Ford Motor Company is keeping its lips tight on this matter, many U.S.-based motoring publications started to speculate how much fatter the upcoming Stang got over the current model. Needless to say, most of them are just bluffing with less than solid evidence and arguments.

The most credible answer comes from a Ford Motor Company insider that told Road & Track that the extra weight "is an exaggeration". According to his or her sayings, the EcoBoost and V6-powered Mustangs "are likely to be around 50 to 70 lbs heavier than this year's model, while a base GT will gain around 170 lbs."

Let's hope those extra pounds will go to the rear, helping with the balance of the pony's weight distribution. That should aid the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang in terms of handling and braking. However, it saddens us how cost considerations didn't permit Ford's halo sports car to get the same aluminum treatment as the 2015 Ford F-150.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories