2015 Ford Mustang: C&D Says This is "Almost Definitely" It…and Yes, They're Illustrations

Love or it loathe it, agree or disagree with it, the upcoming new generation of the Ford Mustang will be if not the, one of the most talked about models over the next few months, so even though it won't officially be unveiled until December, we'll be seeing and hearing a lot about it…

On Sunday, we learned about Car&Driver magazine's December 2013 issue the front page of which is titled "We leak the 2015 Ford Mustang" and "Exclusive! The images and info Ford doesn't want you to see", along what a photo of the pony car.

The publication also hosts an online article titled "Leaked! This is (Almost Definitely) the 2015 Ford Mustang: Exclusive 360º View and Full Details!" with…illustration credits. And no, the pictures seen online and on the front page are not "official" photos of the real car, but digital renders, which are said to be close to the real thing.

In the article, it is mentioned that the 'Stang will launch with the current model's 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 producing the same 305hp and 420hp outputs and linked to either 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Newer powertrains, including a 2.3-liter inline four turbo, possibly the 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbo, a twin-turbocharged V8 code-named “Voodoo,” and an unspecified V8 for the Boss 302 are said to be added down the line. Over the weekend we shared a survey made for Ford about the 2015 Mustang, in which the turbo four was mentioned.

Story References & Photo Credits: C&D [Thanks to Chris Doane for the tip!

Update: C&D requested the removal of the five additional renderings (for websites – "Leaked! This is (Almost Definitely) the 2015 Ford Mustang" images for readers). You can still check them out on the magazine's website.

2015 Ford Mustang Survey Includes Info on Engine Range, Prices [Updated]

Whenever carmakers, or for that matter, any kind of company that offers products for sale, develop a new model, they survey the public to make important decisions and even alterations in design, features, marketing, pricing and other important areas. The same applies with Ford and its upcoming 2015 Mustang.

One of those U.S. market surveys conducted for Ford by Morpace was shared online on the Mustang6G forums, courtesy of member PVC. While there's no way of being 100 percent sure that everything mentioned is final, we suspect that certain specs and details could be very close to what we'll get when the 6th generation Mustang goes on sale next year.

"I recently got a survey on car options. I was thinking it might be an indicator about the type of options available for the Mustang," said PVC in a posting. "We have a 2013 Mustang and wonder if we got the e-mail because of that. Anyway, here are screenshots I took. Do these items and prices look to be in-line with what the Mustang might have?"

On the powertrain front, the survey mentions three available engines, beginning with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 producing 300hp and 290 lb-ft (393Nm) that returns 19mpg city, 29mpg highway.

The second option is a (+$560) 2.4-liter inline-four GTDI (turbocharged with direct injection) rated at 310hp and 310lb-ft (420Nm), which has fuel economy numbers of 22mpg city and 32mpg highway.

The last choice is a (+$1,890) 4.9-liter V8 twisting out 430hp and 396lb-ft (536Nm), and returning 18mpg city and 28mpg highway.

For the record, the current 2014 Mustang Mk5 is offered with two regular powertrains (there's also the 662hp Shelby GT500), a 3.7-liter V6 producing 305hp and 280lb-ft (19mpg city / 29mpg highway for manual), and a 5.0-liter V8 with 420hp and 390 lb-ft (15mpg city and 26mpg highway for manual gearbox).

In other words, all three engines listed in the questionnaire for the 2015 Mustang are either new or improved / modified.

There's also a query in which the 2015 Mustang's base price is listed at $23,995, and another one where the survey asks which of the following transmissions would they pick if the cost was the same: 10-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic, 7-speed manual and 6-speed manual.

In our opinion, the most important data in the survey is the engine range, which does match what we've heard in the past. You can take a look at it for yourself in more detail and discover other interesting tidbits, in the gallery below.

Update: We were contacted by Morpace, which asked us to remove its screenshots from the survey

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Another 2015 Ford Mustang Rendering Surfaces Online

We’ll concede to being excited for the reveal of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang, that has just been reported to take place in the month of December (or next week, if you’re a selected/trusted member of the mainstream press).

As time goes by, the image of the new ‘Stang grows ever clearer, and after recent a so-so rendering we recently posted, we came across upon one that’s of higher quality – it’s more polished overall, though it keeps true to the forms that have already been highlighted via spyshots and videos.

The rendered car you see above is the work of Josiah LaColla, and it’s the artist’s way of saying he was not pleased with what had been rendered up until the present moment.

His interpretation has a bit more depth to it, and you can start to see the flaring of the wheel arches better, as well as the design of the front bumper, which was not hard to make out in the latest batches of shots that have been circulating the web.

What do you think, is it getting any closer to the real thing?

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Lacolladesign via Jalopnik

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2015 Ford Mustang 3D Renders Allegedly Made from Official CAD Images [Updated]

As one of the oldest and most popular sports car nameplates in America, the Ford Mustang captures the imagination of just about everyone, so it comes as no surprise that there's a lot of interest in every new generation - even more so when the new model promises to redefine the genre and become a global vehicle.

By now, with so many scoop shots and renderings (including our own that was created based on information sourced from people who actually saw the car), you should have a pretty good idea of what the 2015 Mustang will look like. If you don't, here's one more set of 3D computer images for your viewing pleasure.

They are sourced from Mustang6g, which states that, they were created "from CAD images of the actual production car - which can't themselves be posted for obvious reasons".

The same site says that, according to "multiple inside sources", Ford may not wait until next year for the Mustang's 50th anniversary to show the car, providing us a first look as early as this December.

Update: New CAD photos of the 2015 Mustang Coupe have been added to to the image gallery below.

Photo Credits: mustang6g

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Future Cars: Treading New Territory with Ford’s Global 2015 Edge CUV

The Crossover and SUV markets have yielded many automakers much success. In my mind, vehicles like the 1st-generation Range Rover, Jeep Cherokee and Ford Explorer have paved the way for a vast array of weird and wonderful all-terrain options. Today, you can basically specify what size and shape bush-basher one so desires (admittedly some are rather useless off the beaten track); from BMW’s coupe-like X6 and Buick’s compact Encore to Cadillac’s hulking great Escalade ESV - there’s a niche for everyone.

One of the more popular categories is the mid-size crossover segment. Ford’s entrant in this arena is the Edge - a handsomely styled CUV that’s positioned between the smaller Escape and larger Explorer siblings. However, like most products, its model cycle is ending and an all-new version is just around the corner - and this time it goes global.

Design:

Styling of the out-going version has been rather well received, yet was relatively timid - asides from the bold, three-bar chrome grille. Ford’s next installment needs to appeal to a greater global audience; hence, the need for a design statement that’s much more expressive. The 2015 redesign brings in Ford’s post-kinetic design language that embodies straighter character lines and deeper sheet metal folds.

Viewing from the side reveals a profile much more hatch-back like than traditional SUV; this is exaggerated by the small and angular rear quarter windows, rounded D-pillar and short overhangs. The front-end treatment will be familiar to current Edge owners - so cue the dominant, 3-bar chromed grille; yet this time it’s  trapezoidal-fashioned to fit in with Ford’s most recent offerings. 

Interior:

While we’ve yet to catch glimpse of the next Edge’s interior; look to Ford’s more recent S-Max concept for design pointers. Expect simpler styling and premium materials as opposed the angular and cluttered interiors seen in the current Escape, Focus and Fiesta models. 

Technophiles will be catered for with Ford’s vast array of infotainment options; MyFord Touch will be updated with a better user interface (more physical buttons) and quicker response times. Gadgets like the Escape’s hands-free tailgate will appear, and potentially a more advanced park-assist program may make a debut too.

Safety:

Currently, the Edge scores good ratings in both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. However, the latter has recently introduced the more stringent small-overlap test - something that Ford will want to ace by using a redesigned front-end structure and stronger hydro-formed steel components. 

Active safety systems will be of current fare; so cue Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid and Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert. What isn’t known, is if Ford’s recently-revealed Obstacle Avoidance Program will make an appearance - a clever bit of kit that scans the roadway ahead for gaps left or right of a stopped obstacle and autonomously steers around the hazard if the driver doesn’t react to an audible chime. 

What Powers It:

We know members of the EcoBoost family will sit under the hood; what isn’t 100% apparent, is if a V6 variant will still be on the cards - although there is rumor that Ford’s new ‘Nano’ 2.7-Liter V6 may be up for consideration. Regardless, any performance and economy concerns should be easily addressed with the tried-and-proven 2.0-Liter four-cylinder mills found in other Ford products.

European and Asia-Pacific markets will likely have diesel-powered options. Whether or not a Hybrid version will ever see the light of day remains to be seen.

Handling:

The 2015 Edge rides on the same global CD4 platform that underpins the Fusion/Mondeo, so expect ride and handling to be up there with best in class. MacPherson struts and a new multi-link rear suspension will keep the body-roll and ride quality in-check. Although if things really do get out of shape - the stability control program with its Torque Vectoring component will take the fuss out of emergency maneuvers. 

Market Positioning:

As a mid-size crossover, the Edge will do battle against the capable GMC Terrain, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Murano to name a few.

It’s also worth noting that the 2015 Edge will form the bases for Lincoln’s next MKX crossover and replace the long-serving Ford Territory SUV in Australia (the latter, along with the iconic Ford Falcon will cease production down under in 2016). Expect the Edge to be officially revealed later this year or early next year as a MY2015 entrant, and to be built at Ford’s Oakville plant in Ontario, Canada.

Overall, the next Ford Edge is shaping up to be rather compelling piece of kit with strong global underpinnings and athletic styling to do battle in a vast, automotive cash-cow orientated market. Although one must wonder where Ford’s designers got their inspiration for that front grille - Toyota Highlander anyone? Let us know what you think of it in the comments section below.

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright: Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

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2011 Ford Explorer SUV: Lame Teaser Pictures Round 3

No really, Ford is in fact trying to convince us that it is teasing the new explorer and not a boat in this latest picture that was uploaded on the SUV's dedicated Facebook page. Whatever. The redesigned from the ground up 2011 Explorer should descend upon us in a couple of weeks time, maybe even sooner. Time wasters can check out the rest of the teaser pictures after the jump.

2011 Ford Explorer SUV: Lame Teaser Pictures Round 5

As if FoMoCo's marketing department would stop at round four... Anyway, here are two more crappy cropped teaser images of the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer crossover / SUV that is set to be fully revealed on the firm's Facebook page at the end of this month. If you haven't done so already, follow the jump to check out the rest of the pictures.