2015 Aussie Mustang

[tkb289]

Mike,

I have liked the Mustang since it first came out when I was a kid, and I suspect many of my fellow Australian Cobra enthusiasts have as well. Ford has certainly made quite an effort with this new generation of Mustang to reach a world wide audience, what with RHD and the choice of 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engines. The 84 to 86 SVO Mustang had essentially a warmed over Pinto motor (plus a Turbo) and a more sophisticated suspension than the GT, but the V8 GT was hands down a better car and seller in the US market. Looks like this time however, the 4 cylinder is a much better setup than in the past and will likely sell a lot more on a percentage basis relative to the V8 model, than the SVO of years ago did relative to the V8 model. In terms of overall numbers, I would say for the enthusiast portion of the Mustang market, the V8 will still be the preferred motor.

There seems to be in the US at least more acceptance by younger enthusiasts especially, that the notion of a 4 cylinder Mustang is OK or even the V6, and it does not necessarily need to have the V8 to be fun to drive. I still prefer the V8, but that’s just me. I glad that they are offering a stick shift option, for those that want it.

I posed this question earlier in the thread … I wonder if you or any of the others would know … aside from RHD are there special requirements in terms of heavy duty suspensions for the Australian market? It’s my understanding that some of the 1960’s Fords (and others) had to be strengthened over the American version of the cars sold in the US, in order to stand up to the rigors of the Australian roads. Is this still the case, or would the 2015 Mustang or other modern American car be up to the task without any modifications? Same for emissions … are the Australian and US emissions basically the same?


- Tim

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Mike,

I have liked the Mustang since it first came out when I was a kid, and I suspect many of my fellow Australian Cobra enthusiasts have as well. Ford has certainly made quite an effort with this new generation of Mustang to reach a world wide audience, what with RHD and the choice of 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engines. The 84 to 86 SVO Mustang had essentially a warmed over Pinto motor (plus a Turbo) and a more sophisticated suspension than the GT, but the V8 GT was hands down a better car and seller in the US market. Looks like this time however, the 4 cylinder is a much better setup than in the past and will likely sell a lot more on a percentage basis relative to the V8 model, than the SVO of years ago did relative to the V8 model. In terms of overall numbers, I would say for the enthusiast portion of the Mustang market, the V8 will still be the preferred motor.

There seems to be in the US at least more acceptance by younger enthusiasts especially, that the notion of a 4 cylinder Mustang is OK or even the V6, and it does not necessarily need to have the V8 to be fun to drive. I still prefer the V8, but that’s just me. I glad that they are offering a stick shift option, for those that want it.

I posed this question earlier in the thread … I wonder if you or any of the others would know … aside from RHD are there special requirements in terms of heavy duty suspensions for the Australian market? It’s my understanding that some of the 1960’s Fords (and others) had to be strengthened over the American version of the cars sold in the US, in order to stand up to the rigors of the Australian roads. Is this still the case, or would the 2015 Mustang or other modern American car be up to the task without any modifications? Same for emissions … are the Australian and US emissions basically the same?


- Tim

I can see this car appealing to the tuner market and the younger generation. Most of us are 40+ and grew up with the V8 being the benchmark for performance. we love our V8 Falcon and Holden Monaro, Torana etc. The younger generation now have the Subaru WRX and Nissan GTR as their hero cars. A turbo 4 Mustang might be right up their alley.

I love my V8's (currently 4 in our household) and the turbo 4 sound doesn't do much for me but I'll be watching with interest to see what the tuners do with them. They are getting silly HP out of the Japanese turbo 4s. I can see the enthusiasts going to work on this one too.

As for suspension... I think the old falcon had to be modified to cope with our rough 1960's country roads/goat tracks. Last time I was in the US our roads were 10 times better than theirs. Especially LA which just seemed to be one big interconnected pot hole.

Cheers

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

I can see this car appealing to the tuner market and the younger generation. Most of us are 40+ and grew up with the V8 being the benchmark for performance. we love our V8 Falcon and Holden Monaro, Torana etc. The younger generation now have the Subaru WRX and Nissan GTR as their hero cars. A turbo 4 Mustang might be right up their alley.

I love my V8's (currently 4 in our household) and the turbo 4 sound doesn't do much for me but I'll be watching with interest to see what the tuners do with them. They are getting silly HP out of the Japanese turbo 4s. I can see the enthusiasts going to work on this one too.

As for suspension... I think the old falcon had to be modified to cope with our rough 1960's country roads/goat tracks. Last time I was in the US our roads were 10 times better than theirs. Especially LA which just seemed to be one big interconnected pot hole.

Cheers

I would say you summed it up pretty well. I too prefer 8 cylinders under the hood and three pedals on the floor.

Sounds like there is no substantial difference between the Australian offering and the US model, save RHD. I agree, the roads in Los Angeles are in pretty bad shape, same goes for the roads here in the San Francisco bay area.

In the promotion of the Mustang and highlighted in the reviews, is the change to IRS, and the handling improvements over the live rear axle. Interestingly, in most of the reviews, there is little or no mention of ’99/01 - ’03/’04 SVT Cobra Mustangs, which did have IRS. I for one will be interested to see how the two compare. With over (10) years between the two setups, I would suspect the differences would be substantial.

Regardless of that, looks like Ford has a winner, and Chevrolet with the Camero & Dodge with the Challenger for that matter too. Feels like the mid to late 60’s all over again … which is a good thing!

[cobrakidz]

Originally Posted by tkb289

In the promotion of the Mustang and highlighted in the reviews, is the change to IRS, and the handling improvements over the live rear axle. Interestingly, in most of the reviews, there is little or no mention of ’99/01 - ’03/’04 SVT Cobra Mustangs, which did have IRS. I for one will be interested to see how the two compare. With over (10) years between the two setups, I would suspect the differences would be substantial!

I recently sold my 2000 Cobra R and 2003 SVT Cobra, both with the IRS. I now have a 2013 Boss 302 and the new car out handles the older ones by a long shot. I can only imagine the new IRS platform will be even better.