DeluxeStang

Agreed. Ford struck gold with the 2.5 hybrid, they should keep building in and improving hybrid systems like that. The higher tow rating and AWD capability in the newer maverick hybrid is definitely a step in the right direction.

EREV seems to be the way to go with larger vehicles. As for towing, that's really only an issue with large EVs because charging on a road trip is a pain in the ass. With EREVs where the gas powertrain is what you're relying on for longer road trips, it's not a big deal because you just top off like every other ICE vehicle at a fuel station, so towing is a none issue. It's only an issue if recovering that range is a pain like it can be with an EV.

It's definitely gonna be a challenge without a doubt. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from my understanding, the biggest selling point of EREVs especially larger EVs, is because they still have ICE powertrains as generators, the battery packs themselves are much smaller than larger pure EVs, which means these larger EREVS are far more affordable than large pure EVs. I believe Ford was saying they believe their EREVs will be able to sell for about the same price as a nice hybrid. If that's true, I can see the appeal of those types of vehicles. Having a smaller battery so you enjoy all electric driving during short drives, while having the gas powertrain during longer trips sounds like a really good solution for people who want an EV, but also want to take long road trips without worrying about having to charge.

I believe EREVs are a good choice for larger vehicles, but for small, light, areo dynamic vehicles, that's basically the perfect use case for EVs. Apparently a lot of modern apartments are being built with charging stations in mind, or give tenants the option to have a charging station installed at their parking space if they pay for it. We'll see how that works out. It's also worth noting all future Ford EVs will have access to Tesla superchargers which are everywhere, and we're see a lot of charging stations pop up at work locations, restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping centers. Do you can pretty much charge your EV wherever you go. I'm not as concerned about the availability of chargers as much as I was 10 years ago.

Well I care and notice the things because I'm a massive car enthusiast. But most buyers don't care about that. They want good design, good features, and good quality at an affordable price. Your typically buyer won't be able to tell the difference between a 1.5 and 2.0 engine, but they'll be able to tell the difference between a 1.5 engine and an EV.

I don't believe Fords backing down on making compelling entry level vehicles, I believe they're diverting those funds to CE1 products. EV technology is the future of affordable transportation, especially good affordable transportation. EVs are more reliable, more refined, more enjoyable to drive, more comfortable, have better packaging, and look better. For people who just want an affordable, reliable, easy to own, nice enough, good looking enough vehicle, EVs are gonna be the path forward with Ford's 25-30k EVs. You put a rattling, buzzy 4 or 3 cyl crossover in front of someone that looks like a potato, and a cool looking crossover where people drive it and can't stop thinking about how refined it is, and tell people they're the same price, basically any sane person is gonna buy the EV. Keep the V8 engines around for the mustang and other stuff, where that's what people really want, and offer EVs for everyone else who just wants an affordable, reliable vehicle. EVs don't make sense for everyone, but they're the perfect solution for entry level buyers.

This is why I think having great design is gonna be an essential component of differentiating your product, especially moving forward. She doesn't know what kind of engine it has, but she pays attention to the looks. I don't believe I've ever encountered someone who doesn't care about how a car looks to one degree or another. That's where Ford should invest more heavily with future products, making the best designs in the industry, instead of spending billions on engines when no-one even cares.

Most people only care if an engine is reliable, and fuel efficient. That's about it. That describes almost every modern engine in these sorts of cars.

I don't believe we're looking at a next gen bronco sport, but I wouldn't be surprised if the next BS has a lighting signature/grille that's very similar to this.

Even though this sculpture was used to hint at s650 and other upcoming Ford's, I also wonder if it was also designed as a wink and a nudge on where Ford was thinking about taking mustang design in the future. Designers love to hint at things like that. The proportions are obviously exaggerated, but toned down for production, this would be pretty perfect imo. Still keeping that muscle car look just with a more exotic flair.

Agreed. The s650 kept some good things about the s550 like the sleek shape and wide proportions, but it also looks more like a proper muscle car. That being said, I can also see where he's coming from. Not to sound like a broken record, but if there's one thing about mustang design that I'm not fond of, it's the massive overhangs, especially in the front. If they move the front wheel forward by an inch or two, and moved the a-pillar back maybe another inch, and lowered the beltline/roof a little, these are relatively small changes, I see no reason why modern engineers working with a modern platform couldn't do that for a reasonable cost. Tiny improvements here and there, that all add up to make a big difference, that's what I want to see with a next generation.

So on top of going years without a proper maverick rival, GM is also canceling it's small EV truck right before Ford releases their CE1 truck. Great job GM, really stellar leadership, it takes a lot of effort to miss the boat as much as you are right now.

Now this is exciting news!

It's hard to say. A belt driven cvt is terrible, but a planetary gear e-cvt that the maverick uses is just about the most reliable transmission Ford currently has. They seem to hold up with mild off-roading that I see maverick owners doing. But how they'd hold up with more intense stuff is a mystery. Then again, the bronco sport isn't used for much intense off-roading.

I thought the closest thing to the maverick was the bronco sport. Interesting.

Not to sound pretentious, but I think that's because as a design enthusiast I just see and notice things that a lot of people don't. It's kinda like how I can see the '65-66 influence in the front of the s650 with the shape of the grille, and headlights, or how I can see how the rear of the s650 with the sharply indented decklid is a call back to the '67s concaved rear end. But most people have no idea what I'm talking about. There's just a lot about the attitude of that rendering, the long hood, flared fenders, fastback roofline, muscular haunch, that all tie into the 60s mustang design in a modern way. Mustangs from say '74 up until 2004 didn't really have that proper mustang look that was iconic, they kinda lost all the things that made mustangs look great. They didn't have particularly long hoods, they were pretty slab sided, their rooflines were more notchback and less fastback, more upright in shape.

Ford, please promote the people who played a critical role in creating the maverick into senior leadership positions within the company. These are people who truly understand the importance of making a ground breaking, game changing product, and who also know how to innovate and differentiate products in ways that are very smart. Whoever proposed for Ford to offer a hybrid powertrain in the maverick so it would surpass the fuel economy of economy sedans and hatchbacks was legitimately a genius. That decision single handedly turned the maverick from a cool product, into a got to have it product.

Thanks. I'm mostly just trying to think of the best ways for Ford to enhance the styling of the mustang, while also making it timeless. If they end up going the direction Explorerdude is hinting at, I'll be concerned. I said it before, I understand 90s cars are popular right now, and Ford might be looking at that trying to cash in on it, but applying that style to a new mustang would be a mistake imo. 90s nostalgia is a fad that'll likely fade quickly, and then Ford's left with a questionable design that pays tribute to a less than stellar era of mustang design. Ford shouldn't chase trends with the mustang, they've tried things like that with the touchscreen in the s650 and it blew up in their face.

I think you meant to say 20 years older unless you're 10 lol. But yeah, I see where you're coming from.

So it could be somewhat close in appearance to something like this in coupe form with a lower, more rounded off front end? I don't hate it, but it kinda kills the muscle car look.

Oh God lol. Even as someone born in '94 who's early childhood was influenced by the new edge, I want to get past those days lol. I get the 90s are the trendy thing right now, but once you get past nostalgia, it wasn't a good period for mustang design compared to 2005-present and 1965-1970. I firmly believe mustang is one of those cars where designers need to ask themselves "Will these still look great at a car show decades from now?" 60s styling does, 80s and 90s styling, not so much lol.

Even though it's an entirely different price point, this is a great example of what I have in mind. Having something that still looks like a 60s muscle car with a blocky shape, but more exotic proportions. Something like this with more pronounced hips and dynamic rear end like that original pic I showed. I basically want the mustang to be the best looking front engine coupe on sale.

Agreed. It's not a bad looking car, it just looks too similar to the s550. To be fair, Ford usually does this with mustang, two generations with similar styling followed by a massive change. That's the way it's been at least since the 90s. So if they apply the same approach here, that's ok. I just hope Ford returns to giving us a new mustang generation every 5-7 years instead of having us wait 7-10 years.

In terms of bronco, keeping the boxy, rugged looking, I quite like this sketch even if it looks a bit like a defender.

I'm mostly thinking of bronco and mustang, as those are two of Ford's best passion products at the moment, and both are virtually guaranteed to have a next generation. For mustang, I personally believe they should keep the 60s inspiration, it's a lot more timeless than say mustangs from the 80s or 90s that are fads in one moment, and out the next. 60s styling has always looked good, and always will, that's what mustang should pattern itself after instead of chasing styling trends. These are cars that'll be at car shows in 50 years, make them timeless and striking. In terms of what I'd love to see, it basically boils down to a reduction in visual mass. Lowering the roof by maybe 2 inches, and the beltline by an inch or so, so you have less metal over the wheels. Push the wheels to the corners and really shrink the overhangs, especially in the front. Give the mustang an even longer hood to sell that seductive look. Basically a 1967 Shelby gt 500 in terms of lines, and an Aston Martin in terms of proportions and sexy surfacing would make for a great looking car imo. Something like this image with slightly sharper lines to sell the muscle car look while also looking striking and more exotic. Make the mustang look so good that people stop complaining about paying 60k for a gt, make a design that makes 60k feel like a bargain.