2023 Ford Mustang - Interesting Read

According to the article it'll be based on the CD6 Explorer platform?! Idk how they can successfully base a sports car off of a crossover/SUV chassis.
If true suspect that this new generation won't be as good of a corner carving design as the S550 is. I'm sure the Explorer chassis handles well(it's a police interceptor vehicle) but it was designed to haul around kids and passengers in comfort more than dive into the turns and maybe have an occasional day at the track. This is worrisome news if it's true. If the outgoing chassis outhandles the incoming chassis there will be outrage.

Cobrajet67 said:

According to the article it'll be based on the CD6 Explorer platform?! Idk how they can successfully base a sports car off of a crossover/SUV chassis.
If true suspect that this new generation won't be as good of a corner carving design as the S550 is. I'm sure the Explorer chassis handles well(it's a police interceptor vehicle) but it was designed to haul around kids and passengers in comfort more than dive into the turns and maybe have an occasional day at the track. This is worrisome news if it's true. If the outgoing chassis outhandles the incoming chassis there will be outrage.

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Based off of a chassis does not mean it is the same. I do know a couple of Explorer ST's that will make fun of a stock 5.0 in a 1/4 mile and then beat you up on a road course.

Cobrajet67 said:

A 5.0 Mustang and Explorer ST from the same year and are these STs stock?

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The one I know is running a tune and lowered. Remember the ST is only 400HP 3.0 EcoBoost but he upped it to 500 (saw it at the Tuners)and is still running 4 wheel drive. The other I saw up on the Dragon and both were the CG6 rear wheel drive chassis.
My Comment was only in relation to you comment on the Performance Car sharing the Explorer chassis, these are people outside of Ford doing this so imagine what the Ford Engineers can do.

Siber Express said:

The one I know is running a tune and lowered. Remember the ST is only 400HP 3.0 EcoBoost but he upped it to 500 (saw it at the Tuners)and is still running 4 wheel drive. The other I saw up on the Dragon and both were the CG6 rear wheel drive chassis.
My Comment was only in relation to you comment on the Performance Car sharing the Explorer chassis, these are people outside of Ford doing this so imagine what the Ford Engineers can do.

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When you up your HP, lower it to the ground, and add wider tires many different vehicles especially with all wheel drive can out handle a stock 5.0 Mustang. In any case, we'll just have to hope that Ford changes that newer chassis enough so that it's uniquely a Mustang platform and ensures that it stays one of the better handling "affordable" sport cars available.

JamesBenedict said:

No way would Ford produce a new Mustang with poorer than previous Mustang handling. The Ford engineers know what they are doing!

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Don't be so sure. Ford has done it in the past. The 1971-73 Mustang certainly didn't handle better than the 1969/70.
Also, Ford is looking to reinvent the car as are many other manufacturers so I wouldn't doubt if concessions are made with anything at this point. All electric and electronic everything is what will soon dominate and to a certain degree does now. When so much of Ford's R&D goes into infotainment, electronic babysitting, and other unnecessary features they suddenly have less of a budget for the chassis development itself. That and the fact that a Mustang isn't being designed on a car chassis that's more suitable for a sports car makes me wonder.
The S550 is apparently a highly modified version of the S197. The S197 was developed off of a Ford/Jaguar rear wheel drive intermediate car chassis. This upcoming Mustang is being developed from a much more universal chassis that only has an SUV/CUV made on it now. I'm concerned but we'll have to see how it tests when it's released.

The engines were basically the same in some form that were available for 1969/70. It was the increased weight and length of the car that was a big factor in its not so great handling. I remember reading either a Motortrend or Car and Driver review written on it from back then and it wasn't too kind to the handling aspects of the 1971 Mach 1. I think it was equipped with a 351C.

As far as what platform sharing with an SUV might mean for the Mustang, look at the Nissan 350Z. That Nissan FM platform was co-developed for the Infinity G and M cars and FX crossovers. The result was a 2 seat V6 sports car I don't fit in that only managed to weigh 100 lbs. less than my '05 GT. If that Z had it's own platform, they likely could have shaved at least 300 lbs. off of it.
Of course, you can overcome a bit of extra weight with more power and bigger tires and brakes but that costs money, both to produce initially and in per mile operating costs.