As part of a global unveiling extravaganza, which included six cities around the world all unveiling the 2015 Ford Mustang simultaneously, Ford Australia was able to show the world the new Mustang convertible version.
The special event took place in the old locomotive workshop in Redfern where around 300 exclusive guests were treated to a big show, including talks from some of the company’s highest-ranking decision-makers, two live bands, and a handful of Mustang exhibits from all generations.
Of course, the star of the event was the all-new 2015 Mustang. A convertible version in Australia’s case. As reported yesterday, the 2015 Mustang is being marketing and has been developed as a truly global vehicle fit for various markets, not just the US.
It features an all-new independent rear suspension system, for starters, three new engines – two of which will be available in Australia – fresh styling in tune with the company’s latest design language, and a vastly modernised interior and accompanying gadgets.
The engines include a 3.7-litre V6 with 220kW and 366Nm, and a newly built 5.0-litre V8 which features larger intake and exhaust valves than the predecessor. The V8 also comes with forged conrods and a forged crankshaft, helping to produce 313kW and 529Nm.
For the first time, the Mustang will be offered with a four-cylinder as well. Specifically, a new 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo unit producing an impressive 227kW and 407Nm. The EcoBoost motor also comes with forged conrods and crankshaft, an aluminium block, and ladder frame bearing caps.
All engines will be available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (with paddle shifters), feeding power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip diff. Ford has confirmed the Australian market will receive the 2.3 EcoBoost and 5.0 V8 engine options when it arrives by 2015.
Ford says the new model will be the most nimble and fastest Mustang ever, with a new, stiffer front sub-frame, fully independent suspension, and a set of powerful brakes. The company also says customisation options will be made available for buyers, including racing stripes and a degree of special enhancements.
Prices for the local market are yet to be finalised. Whatever it starts at though, it is expected to be a very popular model for Ford with literally millions of fans around the world including many in Australia. Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development, said,
“Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car. The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonates with people, even if they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of Ford.”
See below for the full specifications on the Aussie-destined models.
| BODY | ||
| Construction | Unitised welded steel body, aluminum hood and front fenders | |
| Body Styles | Fastback and Convertible, Right-hand drive | |
| Final assembly location | Flat Rock, Mich. | |
| ENGINE | ||
| 2.3-litre GTDI I4 | 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8 | |
| Configuration | Aluminum block and head | Aluminum block and heads |
| Intake manifold | Composite shell-welded with runner pack | Composite shell-welded with runner pack and charge motion control valves |
| Exhaust manifold | Three-port integrated into aluminum head | Stainless steel tubular headers |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, twin independent variable camshaft timing | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, twin independent variable camshaft timing |
| Valve diameter/lift | Intake 31 mm/8.31 mm, exhaust 30 mm/7.42 mm | Intake 37.3 mm/13 mm, exhaust 31.8 mm/13 mm |
| Pistons | Cast aluminum | Cast aluminum |
| Connecting rods | Forged steel | Forged steel |
| Ignition | Distributor-less with coil-on-plug | Distributor-less with coil-on-plug |
| Bore x stroke | 87.55 x 94 mm | 92.2 x 92.7 mm |
| Displacement | 2300 cc | 4951 cc |
| Compression ratio | 9.5:1 | 11.0:1 |
| Engine control system | PCM | PCM |
| Power | >227kW @ 5500 rpm (Projected, US Spec) |
>313kW @ 6500 rpm (Projected, US Spec) |
| Torque | >407Nm @ 2500-4500 rpm (Projected, US Spec) |
>529Nm @ 4250 rpm (Projected, US Spec) |
| Recommended fuel | 91 RON | 98 RON |
| Fuel capacity | 59 L | 61 L |
| Fuel delivery | Direct injection | Sequential multiport electronic |
| Oil capacity | 5.7 L 5W-30 with filter (16,000-km service interval) | 7.6 L 5W-20 with filter (16,000-km service interval) |
| DRIVETRAIN | ||
| Layout | Rear-wheel drive with limited-slip differential | |
| TRANSMISSION | ||
| 2.3-litre GTDI I4 | 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8 | |
| Standard | Six-speed manual with Hill Start Assist | |
| Gear ratios | ||
| First | 4.236 | 3.657 |
| Second | 2.538 | 2.430 |
| Third | 1.665 | 1.686 |
| Fourth | 1.238 | 1.315 |
| Fifth | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Sixth | 0.704 | 0.651 |
| Final drive | 3.55:1 | 3.55:1 |
| Optional | Six-speed automatic with paddle shifters | |
| Gear ratios | ||
| First | 4.17 | |
| Second | 2.34 | |
| Third | 1.52 | |
| Fourth | 1.14 | |
| Fifth | 0.87 | |
| Sixth | 0.69 | |
| Final drive | 3.55:1 | |
| SUSPENSION | ||
| Front | Double-ball-joint independent MacPherson strut and tubular stabilizer bar | |
| Rear | Integral-link independent with coil springs, solid stabilizer bar, and twin-tube dampers (I4) or mono-tube dampers (V8) | |
| STEERING | ||
| Type | Electric power-assisted steering with rack-and-pinion gear | |
| Ratio | 16:1 | |
| Turning circle, kerb-to-kerb | 12.2 m | |
| BRAKES | ||
| 2.3-litre GTDI I4 | 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8 | |
| Type | Four-wheel power disc brakes with four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock braking system and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control | Four-wheel power disc brakes with four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock braking system and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control |
| Front | 352 x 32-mm vented discs, four-piston 46-mm fixed aluminum calipers | 380 x 34-mm vented discs, Brembo six-piston 36-mm fixed aluminum calipers |
| Rear | 330 x 25-mm vented discs, single-piston 45-mm floating iron calipers, integral parking brake | 330 x 25-mm vented discs, single-piston 45-mm floating iron calipers, integral parking brake |
| TYRES AND WHEELS | ||
| Standard | 255/40R19 Y-Rated Summer Tyres 19 x 9-in. aluminum wheels |
F-255/40 R-275/40 R19 Y-Rated Summer Tires 19 x 9-in. (frt) + 19 x 9.5-in. (rear) alum. wheels |
| DIMENSIONS (mm) | ||
| Fastback | Convertible | |
| EXTERIOR | ||
| Wheelbase | 2720 | 2720 |
| Overall length | 4784 | 4784 |
| Overall width | 1916 | 1916 |
| Overall height | 1381 | 1394 |
| Track, front/rear | 1570/1637 | 1570/1637 |
| INTERIOR | ||
| Seating capacity | Four | Four |
| Front headroom | 955 | 956 |
| Front legroom – maximum | 1131 | 1131 |
| Front shoulder room | 1430 | 1430 |
| Front hip room | 1395 | 1395 |
| Rear headroom | 884 | 907 |
| Rear legroom | 777 | 783 |
| Rear shoulder room | 1327 | 1135 |
| Rear hip room | 1203 | 1111 |
| CAPACITIES | ||
| Passenger volume | 2392 L | 2287 L |
| Cargo volume | 383 L (based on US SAE Spec) | 324 L (based on US SAE Spec) |
Specifications subject to change
Hopefully the car is more enjoyable than the Ford Australia launch event. Either way, Mustang can never cover the loss of sales in Falcon and Territory and of course we are yet to see if Ford price this car to sell.