You're In Charge! - Part 2

[calypsocoral]

So, I was viewing the usual posts on BON and thought about a thread I started a year ago, which I used as an outlet for the thousands of hours I've been daydreaming about being in charge of Ford's Mustang development team.

 

Find the thread HERE

 

I can't believe it's been a year already! A lot has changed since then.

 

So, I thought I'd create a new thread on this topic, taking into account all of the events of the past year, and their effects on the Auto industry.

 

To recap the point of the original post:

 

The scenario-- you are a product planner at Ford Motor Company and you are in charge of the next major re-design of your car (let's assume the usual 4-year development time is being greatly accelerated).

 

Product Name

 

- Chassis specs

-- Front Suspension

-- Rear Suspension

-- Drivetrain type (FWD, RWD, AWD, 4WD)

--- Variations

-- Drivetrain layout (F, FM, M, R)

-- Chassis Variations (Sedan, Convertible, Wagon, etc)

 

- Trim Level 1

-- Powertrain

-- Equipment/Amenities

-- Special Features

 

- Trim Level 2

-- Powertrain

-- Equipment/Amenities

-- Special Features

 

 

Your decisions should take into account potential sales threats (competition, gas prices, CAFE, Emissions standards, etc) on the horizon.

Edited July 8, 2009 by calypsocoral

[calypsocoral]

So, I'll be more than happy to get the ball rolling!

 

2014 Ford Mustang

 

- Unit body, 109 in. wheelbase

-- MacPherson Strut Front

-- 5-link Rear

-- Gas-charged shocks

-- RWD Drivetrain

-- Driveline Layout: Front

-- Body Styles: 2-door coupe, 2-door cabriolet (soft top, reinforced)

-- Target Curb Weight (with 2.5L 4-cyl): 3100 lbs.

-- Total Length: 182 inches

-- Available Engines: 1.6L EcoBoost (~180 hp), 2.5L DI 4 (~180 hp), 2.0L EcoBoost (~220 hp), 3.7L DI V6 (~310 hp), 3.5L EcoBoost (~400 hp), 5.0L V8 (~400 hp)

-- Available Transmissions: 6-speed Tremec manual, 6-speed Getrag DSG (1.6L EcoBoost, 2.5L DI), 7-speed Getrag DSG (2.0L EcoBoost, 3.7L DI, 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L DI)

-- Standard Traction Control

-- Standard Stability Control

-- Standard rear lip spoiler

-- Aero kit and wing spoiler available on all trim levels

 

Mustang LX

Concept: A base (stripper) model for performance on the cheap. Or, for modders who want to use aftermarket components.

Engines: 2.5L DI 4, 2.0L EcoBoost, 3.7L DI V6, 5.0L DI V8.

-- Available locking rear differential

-- 17" Alloy wheels, upgradable to 18" painted or chromed

-- AM/FM/HD Radio with CD/Audio DVD. MP3-compatible. USB port for MP3 devices. iPod interface.

-- 6-speaker Audio (2- 6 3/4" front woofers, 2 front tweeters, 2- 6x9" rear 3-way)

-- 3-spoke steering wheel with basic audio controls

-- Pistol-grip shifter

-- Cruise Control

-- Cloth seats

-- Colors: Performance White, Tuxedo Black, Brilliant Silver, Sterling Grey, Kona Blue, Valencia Orange, Candy Red, Torch Red, Atlantis Green (for you Bullitt fans)

 

Mustang GS/GT

Concept: The grand tourer, this trim level features high-quality leather interior, SYNC, and a custom Cambridge Soundworks audio system.

Engines (GS): 1.6L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost, 3.7L DI

Engines (GT): 5.0L DI

-- Standard locking rear differential

-- Adaptive Cruise Control

-- Intelligent Access

-- Available BLIS

-- Available rear-view camera

-- 18" 5-spoke Alloy wheels, painted or chromed. 19" Available.

-- SYNC with 6-DVD changer & Navigation system.

-- Custom Cambridge Soundworks 12-speaker audio system with amplifier and subwoofer

-- 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with SYNC controls

-- Leather-wrapped pistol-grip shifter

-- Brushed Aluminum paddle shifters for DSG

-- Available Glass Roof or Power Moon Roof

-- Mustang "Corrale" grille emblem with small fog lamps

-- Colors: As per LX, with the addition of Windveil Blue and Lime Gold

 

California Special

Concept: To help with CAFE 2016 compliance, and to offer a distinct Pacific Coast flavor

Powertrain: 2.5L Atkinson Cycle 4-cyl with electric motor (205 combined hp)

Transmission: ZF CVT

Battery: Lithium Polymer (more advanced battery technology than NiMH or Lithium Ion, Hyundai explains it on their website)

Trim features similar to GS, with the addition of:

- 2-tone leather interior with contrast stitching

- Special colors: Gold Rush (lustrous metallic Gold, replaces Valencia Orange), Jade (rich, layered pearlescent Green, replaces Atlantis Green), and Bordeaux (layered metallic dark red with a purple tinge, replaces Candy Red).

 

Texas Special

Concept: Frugal, but fast, with a distinct Western flair.

Powertrain: 2.0L EcoBoost with intercooler and increased turbo output, 260 hp.

Trim features similar to GS, with addition of:

- Special light tan "Saddle Leather" interior with suede accents

- Special Colors: Desert Sky (light, frosty, pearl Azure Blue, replaces Windveil Blue), Cactus Green (a light, metallic Spruce Green, replaces Lime Gold), and Gunmetal (bright blue clear coat over metallic black, giving it a bluish tinge).

 

BOSS 5.0

Concept: A GT with all the suspension upgrades in the book, and a few weight-saving measures.

Powertrain: 5.0L DI V8

Transmission: 6-speed Tremec Manual with short-throw, Black "Cue-ball" style shifter

-- 19" black wheels with chrome accents

-- Black Billet honeycomb grille with offset tri-bar Mustang emblem, larger fog lamps (as on current GT)

-- Performance intake and exhaust mods, +10 hp

-- Blacked-out Carbon Fiber hood

-- Aluminum roof panel (no sunroof or glass roof option)

-- Performance Black interior with Alcantara seat inserts

-- Ford Racing suspension upgrades

-- Performance clutch

-- Black Aero kit with black rear wing spoiler

-- Black rear window louvres

-- Special 2-tone paint schemes: Performance White with black graphics, Valencia Orange with black graphics, Calypso Coral with black graphics, Grabber Green with black graphics, Grabber Blue with black graphics, Tuxedo Black with white graphics, Sterling Grey with white graphics.

 

Shelby GT-350

Concept: Carroll Shelby's Magnum Opus, a return to the original formula of a Turbo 6. Available with GT stripes.

Powertrain: 3.5L EcoBoost with intercooler. ~400 hp

Transmission: 6-speed Tremec Manual with short-throw, White "Cue-ball" style shifter (optional Candy Red or Kona Blue print).

Interior features similar to GS

-- 19" chrome wheels

-- Chrome billet grille with offset Shelby snake emblem, larger fog lamps set in center of grille

-- Performance Black interior with optional Red or Blue accents, Alcantara seat inserts

-- Body color Aero kit with rear wing spoiler

-- Colors: Performance White (Black, Candy Red, or Kona Blue stripes), Tuxedo Black (White stripes), Candy Red (White stripes), Kona Blue (White Stripes), Torch Red (Black or White stripes), Sterling Grey (Black or White stripes).

 

Last year, I had also listed a Mach 1 with a Boss 6.2L V8. I'm nixing that one, given the current automotive industry climate-- the days of straight-line, big-block performance is all but dead now. Besides, I envision this car on a slightly-smaller chassis, making the Boss engine block even less feasible.

Edited July 9, 2009 by calypsocoral