Do we think Ford is going to make an S650 GT500/Cobra?

[young at heart]

For all we know, a Ford employee could be reading this thread, thinking about the irony in the way this conversation redirected itself.

Unless they've forgotten that MPG is the name of the game for ICE engines, I personally doubt Ford is stupid enough to leave Ecoboost owners out in the dust. Maybe they're changing something and haven't announced it yet.

Nothing more than speculation of course, but maybe next year we'll see a repeat of 2019 with an announcement of both a Cobra-adjacent variant and an Ecoboost upgrade. Who knows what'll happen?

I thought the ‘24 EB was already upgraded with a new engine. Am I misinformed? I took one for a demo drive a few months ago and was totally shocked at how strong it was!

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[robvas]

I thought the ‘24 EB was already upgraded with a new engine. Am I misinformed? I took one for a demo drive a few months ago and was totally shocked at how strong it was!

They advertise 315hp instead of 310/330hp depending on if you got the performance package in the previous model

 

[Rated R]

Obviously there's a gap in the Mustang line up between the DH and the GTD. What I think would be smart would be to offer something similar to the Mustang GT3's 5.4L in a new model. The performance would fill the gap nicely but would fall closer to the performance in the DH than the GTD. It would be cool to call it a Boss 329 but I know Ford is moving forward from their classic models. They could call it a Dark Horse R even though they currently have a track only version.

 

[GripTime]

Some people play pickle ball for fun some drive eco's

Don't forget that Mustangs do mean something to a lot of non enthusiasts. They don't care Ecoboost or GT they just want that Horse. And Ford has done a great job with styling so they feel like they are in a Mustang. I get that specs are important but regular people think the Ecoboost is fast. A Type R Civic will never be mainstream like a Mustang. I have had two Integra's and one Civic Si so I love those cars. Not sure why there is a debate around 0-60. Having a car doing 0-60 in under 5 seconds is fast, period. Ecoboost is mainstream like the non hemi Chargers you see a lot of people driving. Good debate.

 

[robvas]

Don't forget that Mustangs do mean something to a lot of non enthusiasts. They don't care Ecoboost or GT they just want that Horse. And Ford has done a great job with styling so they feel like they are in a Mustang.

They made this mistake with the Mach E, too.

I get that specs are important but regular people think the Ecoboost is fast.

"Regular people" don't know shit about cars

A Type R Civic will never be mainstream like a Mustang.

Depends on what crowd you run with.

Having a car doing 0-60 in under 5 seconds is fast, period.

Maybe 20 years ago, but not now. Besides, the Ecoboost is 5 or more seconds. Only the 1 C&D test of the 2024 was 4.5

non hemi Chargers you see a lot of people driving

Another dumb thing that shouldn't exist

 

[GripTime]

I thought we keep saying we want a new platform. We want another variant. We want aftermarket support. My understanding is that this only happens when a lot of people purchase the car. If you aren't going to consider non enthusiasts in your debate, well then I guess all of your points are correct.

A lot of people are very proud of their non Hemi chargers, Ecoboost, or whatever. I think you are discounting other types of car enthusiasts.

 

[robvas]

You're right, those people and I don't share the same interests. The non V8 models are of no value to me since you can also get them with the "proper" powertrain.

There are 4 and 6 cylinder cars that are exciting, just not those particular ones.

 

[Zcarmenb28]

I never said the 60-100 Ecoboost was quicker. He said that the Ecoboost was worthless and I said it has a better 0-60 than the type r which he didn't believe.

The type r is 50% more money than an ecoboost lmao It should be blowing the doors off it but it doesn't.

Yes, but I addressed that it was due to the transmission discrepancy. Apples to apples the Type R is quicker overall. I don’t have a dog in this fight and don’t really care, but I agree with the others that 0-60 isn’t the end all be all of performance tests. It’s just one of many.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Obviously there's a gap in the Mustang line up between the DH and the GTD. What I think would be smart would be to offer something similar to the Mustang GT3's 5.4L in a new model. The performance would fill the gap nicely but would fall closer to the performance in the DH than the GTD. It would be cool to call it a Boss 329 but I know Ford is moving forward from their classic models. They could call it a Dark Horse R even though they currently have a track only version.

I doubt we'll see a 5.4 based model as much as I want to see it. But performance variants between the Dark Horse and GTD are definitely on the way. Something with the GTD motor, and some of the design cues at 100-120k would be awesome. With a hybrid mustang seemingly likely, Ford could also take the dark horse 5.0 paired with a hybrid assist. That setup could easily make 600 hp and would be an awesome AWD performance mustang for around 80 grand or so. A hybrid AWD setup would also be perfect for this upcoming mustang raptor, which I personally believe will be called the mustang RS or mustang rally. You could just throw it right it with minimal changes.

So the full line-up could be something like this.

Ecoboost- 315-320 hp
Ecoboost hybrid- 350-400 hp
Gt- 480 hp
Dark horse - 500 hp
V8 hybrid - 600 hp
Hybrid off-road mustang - 600 hp
Gt 500 successor - 800 hp
GTD - 800+ hp

That fills out the range a ton.

 

[DeluxeStang]

A lot of people are very proud of their non Hemi chargers, Ecoboost, or whatever. I think you are discounting other types of car enthusiasts.

I couldn't agree more, It's sad to see. My stance on the matter is, I love most cars, variety in the car community is the best thing about it. Regarding cars I don't love, I can still respect the passion that owner has for their car. A Kia soul with underglow and scissor doors isn't my jam, but I can respect that someone loves a Kia soul enough to mod it. Even if I can't respect the car, I can respect the love and passion that owner has for their car.

Acting as a gatekeeper only serves to ruin events and the car community. Chasing people away because they aren't a "Real enthusiast" is the dumbest thing we've ever done as a community. Gotta have a V8, gotta have a manual, gotta have RWD, or you aren't a real car person. All that does is lead to car meets where everyone has the same exact car and there's no variety, which makes it a lot less fun. I don't want to go to car meets where all I see is V8 mustangs, miatas, GR 86s, and corvettes.

I want to see those wild builds. Like that guy who took, I believe it was a model A hot rod, and blended it with an F1 car. It has racing slicks, a massive wing, and the engine from a Honda s2K in the middle. It's incredible, one of the coolest and most creative builds in recent years. Yet some people have bashed it because it's not a V8. So dumb.

 

[Mustang1987]

Yes, but I addressed that it was due to the transmission discrepancy. Apples to apples the Type R is quicker overall. I don’t have a dog in this fight and don’t really care, but I agree with the others that 0-60 isn’t the end all be all of performance tests. It’s just one of many.

Never said it was the end all be all, but the fact that the 14k cheaper car beats the type r in 0-60 says a lot. Lot of value for $32k.

 

[robvas]

I doubt we'll see a 5.4 based model as much as I want to see it.

I think you're right, and I have heard it costs millions to do all the certification etc for a new engine these days. They already have the Predator engine and can turn it up a little bit if they wanted.

So the full line-up could be something like this.

Ecoboost- 315-320 hp
Ecoboost hybrid- 350-400 hp
Gt- 480 hp
Dark horse - 500 hp
V8 hybrid - 600 hp
Hybrid off-road mustang - 600 hp
Gt 500 successor - 800 hp
GTD - 800+ hp

That fills out the range a ton.

You have to remember that Ford only sold 40,000 Mustangs this year

Adding a hybrid powertrain to the EB would make it even more expensive
Same as the GT...and it would probably be a level above the DH so it would cost even more. 90k!?

And then an off-road Mustang? They already have the Tremor F150, Raptor F150, Bronco Raptor, Ranger Raptor, Maverick Tremor....

 

[robvas]

All that does is lead to car meets where everyone has the same exact car and there's no variety, which makes it a lot less fun.

Do you really want to see Kia's with neons at your car meet though?

 

[DeluxeStang]

Do you really want to see Kia's with neons at your car meet though?

Yes, because I want to connect with people who have that shared love and passion for cars. I don't care that much what they're driving. Not only is it fun to see some variety, it also makes cars like V8 mustangs feel more special. If 80% of the cars you see at meets are V8 muscle cars, they feel less special.

I want that Kia stinger, lotus evora, and mustang gt all side by side at the show. Not just mustang, Corvette, Miata, mustang, Corvette, Miata. Someone modifying a Kia is something you don't see everyday. There's a story there.

 

[IceGamer]

I doubt we'll see a 5.4 based model as much as I want to see it. But performance variants between the Dark Horse and GTD are definitely on the way. Something with the GTD motor, and some of the design cues at 100-120k would be awesome. With a hybrid mustang seemingly likely, Ford could also take the dark horse 5.0 paired with a hybrid assist. That setup could easily make 600 hp and would be an awesome AWD performance mustang for around 80 grand or so. A hybrid AWD setup would also be perfect for this upcoming mustang raptor, which I personally believe will be called the mustang RS or mustang rally. You could just throw it right it with minimal changes.

So the full line-up could be something like this.

Ecoboost- 315-320 hp
Ecoboost hybrid- 350-400 hp
Gt- 480 hp
Dark horse - 500 hp
V8 hybrid - 600 hp
Hybrid off-road mustang - 600 hp
Gt 500 successor - 800 hp
GTD - 800+ hp

That fills out the range a ton.

Who is buying EB Mustangs? No one in Europe or the UK and hardly anybody around the world I would imagine… So then who buys them in North America? Is there any data on that? I would imagine that the vast majority of EB sales are rentals (Hertz, Alamo and co.)… Maybe I’m wrong but if not then there is absolutely no market for an EB hybrid as rental companies don’t care about the upsides of hybrids (or are there any CO2 related incentives in the US as there are in Europe??).
Regarding the GT… An AWD hybrid Mustang would increase sales in Europe and probably all around the world as it offers something truly new and would decrease maintenance a lot (no, not the crappy fuel saving, that’s a lie but taxes). Use an electric drivetrain that sits somewhere between the weak F150/Maverick hybrid drivetrains (some 40ish hp) and the rear wheel engine of the Mach-E (266hp) and use it to power the front axle of the S650. With some 600+ hp it would compete with the AMG “C63” hybrid except that it would still offer a V8. I don’t get why it should be an off-road Mustang though…
As a GT500 successor I fear we might get the bare minimum… Either the “new version” of the Predator engine with some ~850-900hp (only reason this is a likely option is that the F150 still has that engine) or if they try to f. everybody over we get a supercharged 5.0 with a GTD inspired bodykit to justify the heavy price tag. Put some carbon in the dash, the steering wheel and maybe some other places here and there and people will stop asking questions.
Anyhow, there is a small chance we might get a hybrid GT500 (supercharged) successor that could truly level its performance.

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