2015 Mustang pics -- apparently the real deal

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:10 pm

lighter, shorter, wider. Rear track 2" wider as well. Same wheelbase, nearly identical overall length, IIRC from various internet chatter.

To Jason's point, to some degree that is how nearly all new designs are perceived by current ownership of that particular model. I saw it happen a couple years back with the 370Z and the Civic Si, and now with the C7, the WRX and Mustang....one thing I think will happen is the base of appeal will widen, esp given Ford's desire to export the car to Europe. I know I am interested, and have never been into the Mustang prior to this--I suspect I'm not the only one.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

if that had any less glass area you'd need a periscope to drive it. outward visibility looks like it will be horrible. the beltline is higher than my grandfathers. forget cruising along windows down with your arm hanging out, unless your shoulder is dislocated.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:18 pm

I can dig it, and I've never really been a Mustang fan. It would take a while to get used to a 'large' car again since the only car I've owned that was full sized was the M3.

As far as the FI 4-cylinder versus the V8, I can see the logic behind it but I'd stick with the V8 personally. Between the new 'stang and the Focus ST, which is at the top of our list for a spring purchase, Ford is doing it right by doing something others aren't doing, listening to consumers.

Here's the 'clearest photo' out right now from Jalopnik:

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:13 pm

JamesShort wrote:

I bet the new WRX is as fast.... :stick:

It needs to be. It's pretty ugly.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 4:31 pm

Jason Tower wrote:

if that had any less glass area you'd need a periscope to drive it. outward visibility looks like it will be horrible. the beltline is higher than my grandfathers. forget cruising along windows down with your arm hanging out, unless your shoulder is dislocated.

So is the trend toward high beltlines a regulatory thing (crash requirements), styling thing or a combo of both? If I remember correctly there is some new regulation regarding pedestrian impact that has resulted in a higher front end on cars. I do think the entire high beltline thing is ridiculous and if it ever was attractive, it maybe has gone too far. Maybe in 40 years this will be remember as the years of the high beltlines just like the fins from the 50's. It does look like they just pulled the hood and trunk up and then chopped the top.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

Richard Casto wrote:

Jason Tower wrote:

if that had any less glass area you'd need a periscope to drive it. outward visibility looks like it will be horrible. the beltline is higher than my grandfathers. forget cruising along windows down with your arm hanging out, unless your shoulder is dislocated.

So is the trend toward high beltlines a regulatory thing (crash requirements), styling thing or a combo of both? If I remember correctly there is some new regulation regarding pedestrian impact that has resulted in a higher front end on cars. I do think the entire high beltline thing is ridiculous and if it ever was attractive, it maybe has gone too far. Maybe in 40 years this will be remember as the years of the high beltlines just like the fins from the 50's. It does look like they just pulled the hood and trunk up and then chopped the top.

one reason i enjoy driving/racing the integra so much is the amazing visibility out of the car, the huge greenhouse makes modern cars feel claustrophobic. with a low beltline and thin a-pillars it's like seeing a movie in an imax theater vs watching it on your laptop.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Agreed, I rode in a 2012 camaro the other day and thought it was absolutely ridiculous.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:37 pm

The huge a-pillers are for rollover & offset impact ratings, high beltines are for side impact. I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon unless some major breakthrough is made.

Alec Moody · **Joined:** Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:02 am **Posts:** 299

I think I read that the high hoodlines are for pedestrian safety. Seems like you just shouldn't hit people with your car.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:15 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

The huge a-pillers are for rollover & offset impact ratings, high beltines are for side impact. I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon unless some major breakthrough is made.

I hear that, but not all new cars have really high beltlines.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:22 pm

Alec Moody wrote:

I think I read that the high hoodlines are for pedestrian safety. Seems like you just shouldn't hit people with your car.

Interesting infographic...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/ta ... er-feature

So there needs to be 0.8" space between the top of the engine and the bottom of the hood. That is making the beltlines significantly higher? Seriously?

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:05 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

Alec Moody wrote:

I think I read that the high hoodlines are for pedestrian safety. Seems like you just shouldn't hit people with your car.

Interesting infographic...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/ta ... er-feature

So there needs to be 0.8" space between the top of the engine and the bottom of the hood. That is making the beltlines significantly higher? Seriously?

yes. raise the hood -> raise the dash -> raise the seat ->raise the roof ->raise the beltline ->bigger wheel

Otherwise they would look like bubbleheaded cars with absurdly small looking wheels against a huge rear quarter panel/C-pillar.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:58 pm

Low hood and beltline, terrible rear vision, window sill still too high for my arm, scary as heck in traffic even before SUV's and pickups took over the roads. Absolutely no crash protection.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... CDYQ9QEwAw

Dick

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:03 pm

That is similar to my 914 Dick. It is not on the road yet but I wonder if the roof might be not much higher than the belt line on some newer cars.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

DickRasmussen wrote:

Low hood and beltline, terrible rear vision, window sill still too high for my arm, scary as heck in traffic even before SUV's and pickups took over the roads. Absolutely no crash protection.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... CDYQ9QEwAw

Dick

Sure, but you could wheel that thing!

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2015 Mustang pics -- apparently the real deal

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