More Mustang spy pics!

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6240

BTW...the story states that base V8 will have a minimum of 300 horses.

Also, click to enlarge the rear end shot. You can clearly make out the production tail lights, which differ from the concept.

Originally posted by Z284ever
http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6240

BTW...the story states that base V8 will have a minimum of 300 horses.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Those tail lights look like the ones on the current car.

That one looks familiar;)

Maybe they're just using current, parts-bin tail lights for the mule only, with the production lights looking different

I doubt it. Everything on the car seems to be in place and there would be no reason to cover them up if they were the old ones.

I bet the cobras are going to be mean

I'm hoping, primarily because I strongly dislike the look of the new 05+ stang... that Ford has intentionally leaked the spy shots that everyone has seen in order to throw everyone off their trail, and when it finally does come out, it's going to look much more modern than everyone else though.

Honestly, I would be a little surprised if the base V8 had less than 300. The current 260 HP is not impressive in the least. There are plenty of 6 cylinder engines that meet or surpass it, and some 4 cylinder engines that approach it and with turbo even surpass it.

After all, base V8 is not THE base engine - it will be on GT model, where buyers want a little power.

The one thing I do like about Ford's 4.6, though it is a little underpowered off the factory, is that you can strap 7 - 8 psi supercharger without any adverse side effects and be happy with the power upgrade. Something that is far more risky on f-bodies.


P.S. Anyone saw the Aztek in the pics? Anything compared to Aztek is good. Perhaps this is Ford's marketing to the ones who dislike retro stang : " Hey, be happy we didn't build a thing like the Aztek you see in the background. After all, we could make a Mustek."

Originally posted by muckz
Hey, be happy we didn't build a thing like the Aztek you see in the background. After all, we could make a Mustek."

I Dont think they would call it "Mustek" but more likely a "Mistake".

This car seems like it'll be a winner. If any car can survive what may be considered a styling gimmick, the Mustang can. And I agree 300hp should be a minimum.

......I wouldn't take anything from these photos as being intended for production..........

If you look real close at the front end....thru the bra...there's no fascia or grill..I can see the radiator and core support.

Also, the hood (if there is one, is covered by a piece of 1" plywood or ? to disguise the profile or simply to provide a hood.......the rear view mirrors are from something else....they don't really fit very well...... WTF is that muffler off of?!?....I'd bet the tailights are also current production screwed on just to be street legal....

This car is a Frankenstein and nothing more....BTW, do they normally test in trailer parks?!?

is it me or does the camaflouge on some areas looks like its been melted and charred on?

No doubt its a Mustang mule but to get any info about its style from that thing isn't going to happen. Thats probably a drivetrain mule and thus has only a few added body panels, most likely a current Mustang. Remember its prime testing time for hot weather at the desert proving grounds. That usually doesn't mean body panel testing but HVAC, and engine testing.

I remember when the C5 was being developed severl Camaro's were used to house a new at the time LS1 drivetrain, in fact some were Corvette framed vehicles with Camaro body's on them.

Originally posted by 99SilverSS
No doubt its a Mustang mule but to get any info about its style from that thing isn't going to happen. Thats probably a drivetrain mule and thus has only a few added body panels, most likely a current Mustang. Remember its prime testing time for hot weather at the desert proving grounds. That usually doesn't mean body panel testing but HVAC, and engine testing.

I remember when the C5 was being developed severl Camaro's were used to house a new at the time LS1 drivetrain, in fact some were Corvette framed vehicles with Camaro body's on them.

DING DING DING!!! We have a winner!:D :cool:

There may even be shaped camo panels on the doors to make the body lines look different than they really are...

Well, it is not the current chassis, and does not have current body panels on it because the shape is a good bit different than the current style. I am thinking it is the new Mustang with the new chassis, and all the body panels(not nessesaraly fitting well) and they are all camoed-out. It can be compared to the C6 mules that have been running around.

It's the real thing.

It's going through hot weather testing, but it's also going through it's final chassis tuning as well.

Yes, there is something disguising the hood. Nope, that muffler (on the opposite side from the current Mustang V6 models) isn't going to hang like that on production cars, and as best as I can remember, those are production taillights (the best way to describe them is a design mix of the late '60s taillights with those of the current Mustang, set inside the tail end as opposed to wrapping around the sides like the current ones do).

If you look close, you'll see that car isn't the SN95 Fox structure or body.

When can we expect to see the production version? 2004 Detroit show?

yeah, it's supposed to finally be shown in Detroit this January, along with the new corvette...this could easily be the greatest NAIAS we've had in years (already planning a trip and trying to score a press credential)

I'm already pumped for NAIAS. Can't wait for all the mystery surrounding the new Vette to finally come to end...production Mustang....

Now

HOW ABOUT THAT NEW CAMARO GM?!? :rolleyes: ;)

Originally posted by Z28Wilson
I'm already pumped for NAIAS. Can't wait for all the mystery surrounding the new Vette to finally come to end...production Mustang....

Now

HOW ABOUT THAT NEW CAMARO GM?!? :rolleyes: ;)


There have been a few subtle hints that Detroit 04 NAIAS may have what we are hoping for.

Some here, and I get 'odd' responses from my limited 'sources' on the subject... so....

Imagine the C6, the new Mustang, and a Camaro Concept.

:cool:

Originally posted by Darth Xed
Imagine the C6, the new Mustang, and a Camaro Concept.


Darth, that is the kind of stuff that could make foreign automakers tremble with fear. That is America where I'm concerned! :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa:

I stand by my prediction of NAIAS 2005 however. (CAW contract still, right????) :(

Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Darth, that is the kind of stuff that could make foreign automakers tremble with fear. That is America where I'm concerned! :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa: :usa:

I stand by my prediction of NAIAS 2005 however. (CAW contract still, right????) :(

Ya, I thought of that too... (The CAW issue) ... I'd love to see the actual language (broken down into normal everyday English, because "legal-ese" is not a language that is friendly to me ;) )

Basically, I believe the suggestion that a regular production Camaro or Firebird can not be built outside of St. Therese Assembly without certain ramifications.... but I don't know that that would apply to a Concept Vehicle.

Or, I suppose the concept car could be an obvious Camaro , but be called "Panther" or something like that... Much like how "Banshee" has been used for Firebird concepts.

Maybe to get around the legal crap, they could call it the Camero..............................

Originally posted by SNEAKY NEIL
Maybe to get around the legal crap, they could call it the Camero..............................

I'd be happier if they still called it a Camaro......(just bustin' yer chops...... ;) )

My source told me that they had to wait 3 years from the plant closing to be allowed to build it again...somewhere else...

Now I have no idea if that meant that they couldn't even have concepts out there or not.....I just know they had to convince the Canadien's that the plant closing was for legitimate reasons. ;)

I'll have to see if that "little bird" will rest on my window sill again.....

I think that a new Camaro will be shown at NAIAS..2004

Guys, can someone explain his CAW thing? because almost 2 months ago GM was advertising the Camaro (1st Gen) and from what I have read, it was suppose that GM had a "gag" order about the Camaro name becuase of that contract..so why all of the sudden GM has an advertisment?:confused:

I would also like to see a Camaro concept named" Panter":cool:

But I think it is "too late " for GM, they need to let everybody know that there will be a new Camaro soon, to hold some of the new Mustang buyers:cool:

Well these new potential Mustang buyers are not going to buy anything for awhile because the new mustang will not be out for a bit. BUT, if Chevy were to show a new Camaro at Detroit...........Holy Jesus would that ever steal Mustangs thunder. I hope it is true.

In simple terms......GM got a ton of concessions and $$ from the Canadien government for building the f-body there.......the deal was, not to allow GM to simply walk away from the deal without good cause......the best and only legitimate reason being the death of the model line......and not a short "hiatus" either but an agreed to 3 year period.

I obviously don't know the details, but will speculate that to "prove" their case, initially not a word was to be spoken about future plans for the Camaro.....many higher-ups got their hands slapped for even mentioning a possible return......especially so soon after the closing.

With the pressure of the new Mustang being such a hit at the auto shows and the well known market share losses.........GM is under real pressure to "get back in the game".

The GTO is a real attempt at this, but time and money constraints....(along with a small dab of nievety(sp?) / arrogance at thinking some of us wouldn't throw such a fit at the obvious missing visual links to the historic name) caused a slight stubbing of the toe so to speak...

GM has much bigger problems to solve.....and are on their way to doing the right things...but no-one that ever considered themselves to be a car guy working at GM today doesn't feel the heat by not having a Camaro to sell....short of a Corvette, the Camaro still produces a ton of showroom traffic.

The ONLY real wish / dream I have for GM is that they too (as Ford did so well) would REALLY listen to US...the real Camaro buyers....and get us involved early on in it's re-development...what better to ensure it's success?!? :D

Hell, I'm ready to attend market research meetings at a moments notice....Scott said I could stay at his place.......LOL!

Originally posted by Doug Harden

The ONLY real wish / dream I have for GM is that they too (as Ford did so well) would REALLY listen to US...the real Camaro buyers....and get us involved early on in it's re-development...what better to ensure it's success?!? :D



That would be nice.

But who do you listen to? I cruise all the Mustang boards about as frequently as I am here.....and I have an observation.

The Mustang guys pretty much agree on most things regarding a future Mustang. BON had a good debate going awhile ago about IRS vs solid axle on the next GT...but generally their seems to be a pretty good consensus on most things.

Do we have a consensus? Sometimes I don't know. And why is that, I wonder?

I think we do.

We've been over things so many times and it always comes out the same without us even realizing it.

If you'll go back and read all the posts, most of us agree on:

-T-Tops
-True duals
-No retro
-More aggressive and unique looks to each model
-Cues with new
-some 1st and Third Generation designs, and it having a no doubt Camaro look
-Some lines/angles being put back into the car instead of that all round nonsense
-Z28 as the top Z06/1LE like car, SS the "luxury" car, RS the step up from the Base car as an option, and the Base car an affordable car that can appeal to many
-OPTIONS and DIFFERENCE for every1 in models, looks, (stripes or blacked out things) engines, and all areas of performance, making each 1 mean something
-High quaity and resolved problems/issues
-A hatch, or a trunk as an option
-Nice rims
-Good aftermarket
-Advertise it
-Reduced length and weight
-No DRL's!! :D
-It has to out-perform the M*stang model for model in everything :cool:

Originally posted by SNEAKY NEIL
Maybe to get around the legal crap, they could call it the Camero.............................. Or they could call it the "Chevrolet Z/28". :D

Originally posted by Threxx
I'm hoping, primarily because I strongly dislike the look of the new 05+ stang... that Ford has intentionally leaked the spy shots that everyone has seen in order to throw everyone off their trail, and when it finally does come out, it's going to look much more modern than everyone else though.

I hope you are right. The current t-bird is an example of retro that crashed.