Car & Driver’s December issue cover has been doing the rounds on the Internet with a headline boasting, ‘We leak the 2015 Mustang’. This has been enough to send everyone into a tizzy. The wait for the 2015 Ford Mustang (codenamed S550) probably won’t be long. Reuters reported that the newest iteration of Ford's pony car will be formally revealed in December, a month ahead of the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.
During the weekend, a survey hosted by market research and consulting agency Morpace is believed to have revealed the possible engines, transmissions, pricing and specifications for the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang.
Externally, the next generation Mustang seems to be sleeker and has a lower set shoulder and roof lines. The car’s design has been updated to appeal to the global audience. This is in keeping with the company’s ‘One Ford’ policy, in accordance with which the Mustang will go on sale internationally and for the first time there will be a RHD model for the Australian markets. This means that India is one of the expected markets for the new Mustang.
The 2015 Mustang has been completely redesigned with a new rear-wheel drive platform, an entirely new exterior and interior design, will weigh considerably less than the current car, and have an EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder option. Another important technical upgrade will be the introduction of an independent rear suspension.
Engine specifications reveal that the Mustang will be powered by 3.7-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 engines. While the V6 churns out 305bhp and 380Nm of torque, the V8 produces 420bhp and 529Nm of torque. Transmission options will continue to be the six-speed manual and automatic gearbox. The Ford-GM developed 10-speed automatic transmission will not be debuting anytime soon.
Last month there were reports in Autocar India that the next gen Mustang, which would be made in right hand drive trim and could be headed to India as its flagship. The report said that Ford is evaluating the feasibility of launching the muscle car in India. Including import duties on can expect the car to be priced above Rs 40 lakh.
It is also rumoured to go on sale in April 2014, on the 50 birthday of the Mustang. The next gen 2015 Ford Mustang will go on sale in Europe and Asia soon after it is launched in USA and the India launch could happen sometime in mid 2015.