http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101561

 

I wonder why they feel pressured to go with an IRS . It wouldn't surprise me one bit if FORD went to an IRS in the 06-07 MY to steal some of Chevy's thunder. FORD would get pummeled by the press if the CC came std with IRS at nearly the same cost.

 

They sure would.

I never really believed Ford's line about going with a live rear axle for "the dragracers". They did it because they own the market and they could get away with the cost savings for awhile.

Obviously, they must feel that those days are coming to an end.

 

You'd be surprised how many people that want a pony car like a mustang or camaro still want a solid rear axle . For what I use my cars for , IRS only in camaro would possibly eliminate me from buying one .

I really really like Ford's idea of having both . I read an article that stated the new Cobra will have IRS with an option of a live rear axle . Smart move , and again , you'd be surprised at how many people would opt for the solid rear . I really would like to see the Mustang and Camaro stay true to their pony car origins and not be morphed into sports or GT type cars .

 

i agree....i still don't get how a 'performance' car built in the 21st century can still have a live axle...granted, I know it's cheaper, and a lot of the drag racers want it, but from the beginning IRS should have at least been an option

 

Well put.
The people that are most enthusiastic about performance cars are typically the ones in NMRA and the MCA - who are also the ones that Ford gives a large part of the clout in the feedback. Maybe that makes the data a little biased, but I'm sure they do a huge focus group study on the general public and general buyer - regardless of their bias too.
If there's a check box that goes, "I prefer... _IRS _Live Axle _Don't Care _Whichever Is Cheaper"
I'd imagine the majority of buyers would choose "Don't Care" or "Cheaper". Just my hunch.

The option on the Cobra is the best way to go... PERIOD.

 

Bingo . The people that are di-hard for IRS are more likely than not as small a group as the di-hard solid rear axle group , the large majority most likely really doesnt know the difference . And then you have the media for the most part who will blast a solid rear like a pushrod

 

yea, the option i think is the best way, and pretty much the only way
people who want it, it's there
for people who want live axle, it's there
win/win situation if the profit can justify the cost

 

Chalk me up as a live axle nut/idiot/whatever.

 

Exactly. People who don't know will automatically assume that IRS is better if the magazines say so, same as DOHC is "so great" compared to OHV.

Obviously for certain types of driving, IRS is better, but for the 1/4 mile crowd, the solid axle will still rule.

And while Ford opts for OHC/DOHC, us Chevy die-hards will stick with push-rods thanks.

 

Again , kudo's to Ford for engineering for making the 2 interchangeable from the get go .

 

IRS IS better. Its better if you want good ride and handling at the same time and also want to be able to take turns. If the word "racing" really means 1/4mi racing to you and you're blind to everything else, then yeah, go ahead and take your live axel. Most people driving sporty/sports/performance cars aren't about getting to the first quarter mile the quickest. And outside of North America the sport is non-existant. THAT'S why the new Stang gets so much flak from foreign media.

 

It's a mistake to discount Ford's mention that Mustang performance enthusiast prefered a live axle out back. One can be cynical about this, but as a former Mustang guy I can fully well believe it.

Mustang buyers are disporportionally do-it-yourselfers, racers or at least use their cars in competition when compared to other cars. The important thing to these guys is not having a rocketsled off the showroom, but having variety in their car.

Sure Ford ended up saving a few bucks in the process, but anyone who has paid even passing attention between the Mach 1 and Cobra acceleration times, will no doubt understand the appreciation of the live axle with the Mustang guys.

(In case some of you were wondering, the live axle Mach 1 is only a blink behind the IRS Cobra, yet the Cobra and Mach 1 are about 90-100 horsepower and torque apart. A perfect example of how IRS can adsorb alot of forward thrust when compared to a live axle)

 

That is your opinion


Ooooooh , ok . I think the opinions of the foriegn media should have 0 effect on how an american ponycar is built

 

if you want to put your head in the sand it shouldn't, but it does anyway. every other day you'll see someone else b1tching about how the brits or some other Euro or foreign rag is knocking on the Stang or other US cars. if it didn't matter, there wouldn't be so much stink about the topic would there?

the point is, they don't get us. they don't see how we could be happy with "ancient" tech. and until we start understanding where they're coming from, there's 0 chance of US automakers making a dent in the foreign markets. and if you notice how well the foreigners have been doing at taking over the domestic market, you'd have to agree its a rather big thing to be able to sell your product elsewhere. if US closed its doors to foreign makes tomorrow, their revenues would drop by 1/2. now imagine if US auto industry had as much revenue from foreign markets as they do from ours....

that's all I'm saying.