I think he's talking about actually making the mustang handle on par with the likes of the 350z and the GT500 the likes of the c6's. What we here would call "world class" . In that case, you're going to need a bit more than a simple 300 dollar IRS.

I wonder if that 300 dollar IRS is a quality unit or a cheap 99-04 Cobra-like afterthought. Either way, a quality IRS for 300 bucks (some would be willing to pay upto a grand, me included) would be a VERY worthwhile option assuming it improved handling considerably. Sure beats spending 1,300 bucks on that overpriced 1000watt Shaker1000 audio system. As an option, you'd keep those budget minded and drag racers happy, and those willing to pay a bit more for a better rear suspension happy as well. Perhaps Ford is or should be thinking of this for the near future. But i don't want a half-asses effort. If they're going to do it, it had better be a quality unit and not some budget-contrained afterthought.

 

True, "just any" IRS doesn't cure all handling issues....a quick peak at the GTO will tell you that (it isn't terrible but it isn't world class either, although weight may play a roll as well). Luckily from the hints Charlie has been dropping, the next Camaro's upper models will have an IRS with serious handling capability in mind. I like the sound of that. Let's just make sure the wheel-hop issues are minimal!

If I were to guess, the GT500 will handle as well or maybe slightly better than my SS. After all the rear end setups are virtually identical. I don't consider my car to be a bad handler at all....it just gets scary when you get after it on a Michigan country back road. That's been my whole point with the solid axle vs. IRS debate...on a glass-smooth track surface, sure you can get great on-paper g force and slolom numbers....great for marketing....let's see the rear end not jounce all over the place on a pothole-scarred two lane road.

 

My initial point was that it takes more than an IRS system alone. The chassis, the suspension, all have to work well in a "world class" handler. On a car like the mustang, all that would have to be reworked or modified to achieve such world class results and that won't come cheap. Even if a quality IRS was only 300 bucks, and you tossed it on to the rear end of the mustang, that won't instantly make it a world-class handler. Just putting the whole cost thing in prospective. In the end, Ford is handicapped by the 19k v6 cars. That's the reason why the capable DEW98 platform was dumped down to mediocre levels, and that was just to make it feasible in a 19k car. And no, the 19k car can’t be ignored, especially when they constitute 70% of production and 6 figure volumes. So it is the v6 cars that serve as the basis, not the other way around. Now you see why it’s hard for it to pack the chassis and suspension refinement of 2-seater sports car like the 350z (or Cadillac CTS) that has a much higher sticker price.

They've shown they can build mustangs capable of world-class handling (80's SVO's and later Cobra R's), but they came at a cost and both were drastically different than the normal mustangs.

I hope they give us the mind-boggling power and acceleration we’ve come to expect from camaro mixed in with the driving/chassis/handling dynamics we’ve come to expect from such cars as the Rx7’s and Rx8’s. In the end, i hope they take size and weight into consideration as well. I always felt the 4th gens were too big although the weight was acceptable. There’s a lot of factors that go into a seriously capable handler other than IRS, and I hope GM nails every single one of them, atleast to the best of their abilities.

I'd be disappointed if it was equal to or slightly better than a 2002 SS. That'd mean it's really no improvement over the previous gen Cobra's. That I find hard to believe. Perhaps I just have higher expectation for it.

I haven't seen Michigan roads, but if they're half as bad as people say, than even a relatively stiffly sprung car like the 350z would have issues navigating through roads plagued with pot-holes, bumps and other numerous imperfections, especially at high speeds. I'd imagine it'd do a better job than a stiffly sprung live axle, but it too would suffer. But a well developed IRS would be as close as it gets to having your cake and eating it too.

 

It would have been based on the excellent Control Blade IRS from the AU Falcon. http://www.trueblueford.com/BA_suspension.html

This system was cheaper, lighter and worked better that the DEW98 system.

If there were competition from an '05 Camaro, I'd bet that this IRS would be under Mustangs right now.

 

Instead of appearing when the next Camaro comes out. Ford has done the R&D and I am sure it can go across the board now if they wanted. But if you can make extra money on EVERY model because the closest comparable competitor is out to lunch then GO RIGHT AHEAD!

 

Thai-Tang has already said that IRS is developed and would be "plug and play" on Mustang.

 

He is just waiting till he has to use it. No sense in giving up the extra $ he is making off the live axle if he doesn't have too.

 

Speaking of "having your cake and eating it too"....it probably is unreasonable to expect the next Cobra (GT500, whatever) to pull Corvette Z06-type numbers in the twisties and have 500 blown horsepower for under $40,000. Something has to give somewhere.