2014 Mustang

I just got through reading my latest MotorTrend and learned some information about the 2014 Stang. A "senior Ford engineer working on the all-new 2014 model was asked about losing the solid rear axle and quoted: "We don't see any end to it. It's robust, we understand it, and we can keep it competitive from a ride and handling point of view."

Ugh. 50 years and still using a solid axle. Quit putting a bandage on it Ford and just do the transplant. IRS.

ufnavy06 said:

Do you guys think this new gen Mustang will also be the Mustang for 2014? That would make it the 5th year of production. I'm loving the GT500 but I want a 50th anniversary Mustang more than anything. Just curious what you guys think Ford could cook up for the 50th anniversary year.

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Although Ford has scrapped it's plans for their GRWD platform, there's still going to be a 50th anniversary edition in 2014.

With that said, it looks as though the current D2C platform may be sticking around for quite some time.

50th Anniversary

Man, I sure hope Ford is planning on a really special 50th Anniversary edition. Not just a crapie stripe package like in the past. 50 years is a long time for an automobile nameplate to be in production without stopping. C'mon Ford, give us something special here!!!!

MustGTCS07 said:

Man, I sure hope Ford is planning on a really special 50th Anniversary edition. Not just a crapie stripe package like in the past. 50 years is a long time for an automobile nameplate to be in production without stopping. C'mon Ford, give us something special here!!!!

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With the economy the way it is, let's hope the Mustang makes it to 50 years. Also, if they do give you something "special"...get ready to pay a special $$$ for it.

I talked to a guy from Team Mustang when I was at the 45th celebration in Alabama. We were talking about the 50th show and car and things like that and he said ford has a timeline that they are going to slowly release new options and powertrains that will lead up to the 2014 & 1/2 stangs. He said all I can tell you is that baby is going to be wicked!

I can hardly wait for the car and the 50th show!!!

I can't wait to see what they have in store for the 50th anniversary. I hope its killer.

PLEASE no IRS... or if they are going to do IRS only do it on the GT-500 so you can still do a live axle swap on one if you wanted too..


IRS = for drag racing

Just my 2 cents on this but...here's what I'm thinking about the rear axle arrangement from an enthusiats' point of view.

Bring out the IRS as standard equippment. If so, please try to keep it from adding a lot of additional weight and cost. Make it standard equippment on all GT500s and premium GTs.

BUT, what they should do is offer a "Drag Pack" which options your premium GT with a solid axle, gears, exhuast, CAI whatever... OR offer an "LX" or "GTS" optioned car again....light weight, no extra gizmos, solid rear standard, base everything. Pretty much like a base 6 cylinder with all the V8 suspension and drivetrain???

svttech76 said:

PLEASE no IRS... or if they are going to do IRS only do it on the GT-500 so you can still do a live axle swap on one if you wanted too..


IRS = for drag racing

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+1 I hope they never go back to IRS on a stang again. Most cobra owners I know switched to the solid rear axle and said they wish it came stock with a solid rear. Ford can keep tweaking the solid rear. It already is a great rear end and holds it's own against IRS.

Check out leftlanenews.com they have info on it

if they make the car smaller and figure out a good IRS that doesn't add 200lbs over the live axle... rock on.

otherwise irs is queer.

From what I've heard around the water cooler, the 2014 will be an "all new" mustang but not 100% it will still be a DC2, ust as new as it can get without a total work orver

I hope what ever the come out with will be affordable for the common person, not some 100k job in limited quanitys

ruffy said:

I hope what ever the come out with will be affordable for the common person, not some 100k job in limited quanitys

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The Mustang has always been a "Joe the plumber" car, I don't think Ford will change that but it is pricey compared to lets say the Fox's for their day. With more technology comes greater price.

Report: Next Ford Mustang to go global, adopt IRS
01/21/2010, 8:46 PMBy Drew Johnson
Thanks to the addition of two new powertrains, the 2011 Ford Mustang promises to be one of the most formative sports coupes on the market. However, despite the Mustang’s new found performance and fuel economy, many still point out the car’s solid rear axle as a glaring weakness. While the drawbacks of a live axle are still up for debate, Ford will eliminate any such arguments with the next-generation Mustang.

2014 is an important milestone for the Ford Mustang, marking the iconic pony car’s 50th anniversary. And, to appropriately celebrate such an important birthday, Ford is hard at work developing an all-new Mustang to celebrate the nameplate’s first half-century.

The 2014 Mustang was set to share a platform with the Australia market Ford Falcon — and possibly a new flagship Lincoln model — but Ford has put its global rear-wheel drive plans on hold as sales of the Falcon have been collapsing over the last several months. Ford sold just 30,000 examples of the Falcon last year.

With the next-generation of the Falcon and the new Lincoln model all but cancelled, Ford will soldier on with a unique platform for the Mustang, according to Motor Trend. However, Ford needs a global scale to make any vehicle platform profitable these days, so look for the next Mustang to be sold in Europe and Asia.

But, more importantly, the 2014 will feature and independent rear suspension, matching rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. In addition to the IRS setup, expect the next Mustang to shrink in size—think Fox body size — aiding in both fuel economy and performance.

Although the Mustang’s IRS is a go, Ford engineers are still undecided on what powertrains to use in the 2014 model. The GT’s new 5.0L will undoubtedly soldier on, but Ford is reportedly considering more advanced drivetrains such as a turbocharged V6, especially for markets like Europe.

Ford is also unclear of the styling direction it will take with the next-generation Mustang, but look for Mustang to abandon the retro styling that was launched in 2005.

Why is everyone so hung up on IRS? Have you seen a high HP car with IRS afer 5 years? Most need shocks, springs, you name it. I don't mind the sold axle. They have come a long way since my first Mustang and I enjoy driving them.

sjpony said:

Why is everyone so hung up on IRS? Have you seen a high HP car with IRS afer 5 years? Most need shocks, springs, you name it. I don't mind the sold axle. They have come a long way since my first Mustang and I enjoy driving them.

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I think ford has almost perfected the sold axle.

scupking said:

I think ford has almost perfected the sold axle.

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I think you're right! When I bought my 2008 GT (after driving IRS cars for years since I sold my '95 Cobra) I'd have to chuckle to myself when I'd go over rough pavement and the limitations of the solid rear axle were evident.

Now I've got a 2010 GT and I'm not even concious of driving a solid axle car. It handles great and the ride quality is excellent. FWIW, I chose it over the Camaro largely based on ride characteristics (and the fact it's a MUSTANG )