Ford Mustang goes mainstream
Blue Oval to build saloon and estate versions
Ford Mustang: imagine it with four doors
According to Autocar, the ailing Ford Motor Company is clinging to its success stories, of which the Mustang is notable. In a bid to reverse its recent history of huge losses, it wants to expand the Mustang brand beyond its current coupé and add a four-door saloon to the range when it refreshes in 2011. There'll be an estate version too.
The basis for the new car will be Ford's Australian operation, according to Autocar. It's due to develop a new rear-wheel-drive platform on which Mustangs and other Fords, including Lincolns, will sit, across the globe, from 2011 and beyond.
It's a bit of a copycat move, since arch-rival general Motors does something pretty similar with its Holden subsidiary in Australia. Holden is working on the Holden Commodore (pictured) to replace the now-defunct Monaro VXR.
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well, it better have a different look and be called something else... otherwise itll be a pretty sad day IMO.
...certain things - like long standing traditions such as the Corvette and Mustang - shouldnt be touched or tampered with.
This probably also means that the next Mustang and these cars might well be available in Right hand drive
.But a four-slammer Mustang? Better Ford should revive the Torino name.
But there's nothing ruling out a shared platform version of these bodystyles...
I agree. The Mustang is a legend and Ford will mess with it at their peril. A sporting 4 door and estate are fine, but don't call it a Mustang. Call it a Falcon, as they used to in the US and still do in Australia.
The Mustang should remain a coupe with a rag top option (no folding hardtops here, thank you). And it should look like this at the back:
And like this at the front:
well, it better have a different look and be called something else... otherwise itll be a pretty sad day IMO.
...certain things - like long standing traditions such as the Corvette and Mustang - shouldnt be touched or tampered with.
Yeah, just like the Charger!!
Oh wait a minute, that is now a 4 door and selling very well. Police forces are buying them a lot, 4 door with a hemi and everyone loves it.
They wont be called Mustangs, even Ford arent that stupid. Hopefully this story is just Ford learning from their rivals. Chrysler have huge success with their RWD platofr for 300C, Magnum and Charger and challenger(Magnum is an estate, other 2 are 4 door and Challenger was only a concept 2 door but pretty much certain to make production)
Simple economics mean they have to do this. Not sure on the wisdom of having Aus do it though. Fords USA engineers need stuff to do and stuff they can claim as 100% american (even if it is made in Mexico or Canada) and Aus have their hands full with next gen global pickup.
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