Cars
2015 Mustang “Almost A Body Double For Ford EVOS Concept”
According to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, there are some big changes in store for the 2015 Ford Mustang. It’s rumored that Ford will abandon the current, fifth-generation model’s retro-styling in favor of a far more modern design.
According to the WSJ, people who have seen the 2015 Mustang said “it is almost a body double for the EVOS concept“, a design study with four-gullwing style doors that was first seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The rational behind this decision? A shrinking numbers of ‘baby boomers’ who were fond of the current version’s retro-looks, something that is reflected in the car’s sales, which have dropped from 166,530 in 2006 to 70,438 last year.
Instead, Ford wants the next Mustang to appeal to Generation Y, or those born between 1980 and 1999 and who are about 80-million strong.
I have a number of problems with this strategy:
- Using 2006-2011 sales metrics is flawed, since it doesn’t really account for the severe downturn in the economy, not to mention rising gas prices.
- Generation Y consumers don’t really care about the Mustang.. Their priorities are very different from the rest of us, preferring to drive a Focus over a Mustang.
- You risk alienating your core audience in the process.
Ford almost made the same mistake back in the early 90s, when they wanted to replace the Mustang with the front-wheel drive Ford Probe. (Remember that car?) Thankfully, they decided to move forward with the Mustang SN-95 platform in 1994, with fantastic results!
It’s frustrating to hear things like this, becuase I feel like Ford finally got it right with the 2012-13 Mustang. So much so that I’m seriously considering buying one!
If it were up to me, I’d continue to evolve the current styling, but nothing too radical. It’s a given that a number of EcoBoost engines will be offered with the new Mustang, but they need to continue offering the 5.0L engine as well. Ditch that tired retro interior, and go with something modern and stylish, complete with the latest and greatest techology that Ford has to offer.
As for the EVOS Concept, they knocked it out of the park. So why not bring it to market under it’s own model?
Food for thought.
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AngryMonkey
April 21, 2012 at 12:12 pm
I am 55 yoa and happily driving the 3rd Mustang i have owned..
All bought new and all driven with enthusiasm, but well taken care of..
If Ford goes thru with the Evos as a possible Mustang replacement they’ve
lost me as a customer for good.. The Evos DOES NOT SAY Mustang..!
No matter how many badges or decals they put on it that ‘ say ‘ Mustang,
it’ll never be one.. Only a compromise..
shane
July 13, 2012 at 1:06 pm
I full heartedly agree, The EVOS would make a cool car for itself but a mustang it is not! I am 29 and love my 93 5.0 GT.
Charles
April 22, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Maybe someone at Ford should have done some research before redirecting all their effort towards the Gen Y’ers:
As recently as 1998, 64.4% of potential drivers ages 19 and younger had drivers licenses, according to the Federal Highway Administration. As of 2008, that amount had dropped to 46.3%. Additionally, 46% of drivers aged 18 to 24 report that they would choose Internet access over owning a car, according to research firm Gartner. People are also waiting longer to get their licenses. According to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, in 1983 one-third of all licensed drivers in U.S. were under 30. Today, only 22% of drivers are under 30.
AngryMonkey
April 22, 2012 at 7:18 pm
As usual the ‘ older ‘.. Never mind.. In this day and age, it
does no good.. The big auto companies will do what they want
and the consumer has to make take it on the chin.. No matter the
age..
Dee Repoman
April 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm
If Ford goes ahead with this concept as a replacement for the current Mustang, they’d better be prepared with the shi$%orm that is sure to come. They tried something like this before, bringing the world the Ford Probe, which was about as popular as a case of malaria. With the Camaro already outselling the current Mustang in most markets, launching this thing is sure to guarantee the “bowtie boys” continued bragging rights. Ford has the engines, now it needs the sheetmetal.
shane
July 13, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I agree the powerplants are superior to chevy’s! A smaller more refined Mustang with or without an IRS would most likely destroy a camaro! Ford needs to keep going the way they are with the mustang (maybe include some of what they’re doing on the cobra jet program) and making improvements to the mustang suspension and powertrain, especially the engine! I think a 500HP 5.0 would be an amazing camaro killing powerplant. I am 29 and have always loved mustangs and am especially fond of 5.0’s seeing my dads 83 GT sealed that deal, and his 88 5.0 LX only made it concrete. My 93 GT may need a little work but i would never trade it for an EVOS wearing mustang badging. The new 5.0 engine is one of the best things to happen to the mustang in the past 2-3 decades. The day they stop offering a mustang with a V-8 and rear drive is the day i take my business else where!
Sujeet
July 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I completely agree with you Shane.. I recently got to do a track day in the new 2013 Boss 302, and it was absolutely AMAZING! These cars are so capable, they really don’t even need 500HP.
Right now, we’ve got a 2013 Mustang GT loaner, which is pretty bad-ass in it’s own right.. There are few cars that can leave me with a permanent grin on my face, but this is one of ’em!
Paul
July 23, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Well said.
Francesco
April 23, 2012 at 10:31 am
I haven’t liked the FORD Mustang since 1993.
Sujeet
April 23, 2012 at 11:13 am
While I’m also a big fan of the FOX bodies, a redesign was LONG overdue – That platform ran from 1978–1993!
I thought the 4th generation Mustangs were great, all they needed was some extra HP! As for the New Edge styling they applied to the 1999-2004 models, let’s just try and look past that mistake.. 🙂
Design-wise, it seems like they got back on track with the 5th generation Mustangs, but things really clicked for me with the 2010 models.. Subtle changes, but just enough to make it really come together.
Steve
April 24, 2012 at 8:00 am
As an owner of a 2010 ShelbyGT500, the current cars are just great. If Ford goes with this car, in a similar form, as the next Mustang, they will definately lose tons of Mustang buyers. I don’t give a crap about generation Y, what the heck do they know about a pony car that has stood the test of time. They know Civics, Eclips’ and the like. When Ford wanted to introduce a ‘New’ Mustang in 1989 and the word got out that it was front wheel drive and much smaller, Ford got 100000 letters saying that the public would not buy it. Ford then called it Probe. The public can turn this around. Let’s see what they come up with, then we’ll let Ford know what we think of thier new Mustang. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!!! DON’T SCREW THIS UP FORD!!!!!
shane
July 13, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I don’t think i could have said it better myself, I was born in 83 so i may not be a generation X er but I don’t care about gas mileage when i geet behind the wheel of my mustang! if i want good mileage i will drive my V-6 fusion, never be caught dead in a focus, and cannot stand 4 cylinders! Mustang fans want one thing, a good looking car that is a blast to drive, sounds great, and oh yeah makes great power and eats camaros for lunch!
Stang guy
April 25, 2012 at 12:49 pm
The mustang will officially be dead after 50 years of production with this joke of a car they are calling the 2015 Mustang.
Tim
April 28, 2012 at 10:39 pm
I’m going to come at this from the opposite side.
I like the performance per dollar that the current Mustang provides, but I have never been a fan of the current styling. I wasn’t around in the 60’s and 70’s, and I have no nostalgic feelings for it like I understand many posting here do.
If it looks like that picture of the Evos in 2015 – which in my opinion is a very good looking car – my ’11 JGC will be paid off by then, and there is a very good chance I’ll buy one.
Jeff
May 1, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Ford will not ruin the 50th anniversary mustang with the evos concept. As far as the gen Y stereotype, are you that ignorant? I’m 30, born in 1981, and have a 2005 mustang in my collection, in my opinion the best “retro” design or current and most likely the best mustang design to date. The evos, modern in design, has no classic mustang attributes, which ford has promised the faithful even though they are scraping the retro theme. All we have is here-say, expect similar design attributes, but something far different than the evos and more representative of American muscle.
shane
July 13, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Sir you are hopefully right, and in my opinion the only reason current mustang sales are low is because they are rather pricey, i remember days when a guy in his low-mid 20’s could buy a Mustang GT and not have to kill himself to pay for it! My suggestion keep the mustang a mustang, by all means make some changes however try lowering the price and see what happens.
Ben
May 2, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I know about the letters in 1989… I wrote one! And I have owned six Mustangs – three classics, two SN95s and my current 07 GT – plus I’m the President of an MCA affiliated Mustang club, and worked at the Rouge Assembly plant complex when the Mustangs were still built there. What we have is reports from a lot of sources that report the Evos concept is indeed the basis for the next gen Stang. That said, I trust the design and engineering teams… Dave Pericak and the rest have given us great cars, better every year, and they DO need to update the next generation of cars or the Mustang will stagnate. They can do plenty to the look of the car, blending the current retro style while adapting a new chassis, independent rear suspension, new technology – compare the tech on the 2013 car with 2005… it’s amazing what is available on cars now. Give Ford and the new car a chance.
Oh, and to the author of the article? Ford can’t survive on “seriously considering buying”…. Put your money where your mouth is – you won’t regret it.
Rod
May 15, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Did they not learn from the 70’s mustang II..Enough said
rudy
June 16, 2012 at 12:51 am
If WSJ said the saw the 2015 Mustang, they are flat-out liars. The design has not been finalized, there are no renderings and no models.
Oh, I forgot. WSJ is now a stable mate to fox news. Of course their liars
John wade
September 20, 2012 at 4:45 am
In my opinion The best looking mustangs were from 1965-73 then it was crap , the 2nd gen ,fox body and new edge were straight up FUGLY. And no matter what any1 says ,,sex sells… In 2005 mustang came back looking real good and the latest gen is beautiful….
But At this point in time I would rather buy a camaro than a mustang ..
Why,, simple ,,cuz the camaro looks better to me AND Drops More Panties.. Period…The performance is basically the same between them anyway. Unless ur goin all out on a track to determine which is better.and no1 does that unless there rich…Me Im 24 ,,i dont want a futuristic design with gullwing doors .i want a muscle car,, i dont buy 1 cuz i cant afford a new car not cuz im not interested or its irrelevant or cuz the styling doesnt tickle my pickle.young consumers buy cheap, if parts were cheaper, gas and insurance ,,younger f*ckers would buy them..
..every young man wants a sexy car.
Maybe this evos design isnt the way to go but As far as a redesign to the body,,,mustang needs one badly
Irs good idea too
Sujeet
October 4, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Well, if we’re to believe the story on Jalopnik, there may be hope for us yet!
Check it out:
http://jalopnik.com/5949026/the-20145-ford-mustang-everything-we-know
Thomas Strome
October 5, 2012 at 5:41 pm
EVO, not a bad design but it also give an aerodynamic feel. Plus the sun roof also add a good design to the seamless body design of the car.
MICHAEL
October 27, 2012 at 5:03 pm
The ford evos… great looking car pure beautiful cool design. Is it a mustang? NO!… If I were the CEO of Ford I would produce the evos as the evos… put a huge engine in her have it our answer to the Dodge viper and the Chevy corvette. 50th anniversary mustang? make a huge 7.0L v8 engine bring back the mach 1 428 make the car retro… more mean … face it who in the world says im going to buy a mustang because i care about the environment and want to save gas? the less gas mileage i get the happier i am =]
MICHAEL
October 27, 2012 at 5:05 pm
also coming from a shelby owner and is 18 so im young… i like muscle cars…. no european crap styling.. its nice but na lol
Sujeet Patel
December 5, 2013 at 11:36 am
Well guys, the day is finally here! Ford has unveiled the 2015 Ford Mustang, and you can see it here:
https://guysgab.com/introducing-the-2015-ford-mustang/