Should Ford Break From The Past And Redesign The Mustang From The Ground Up?

If it makes it better then why not.

It depends on what they think will promote the most sales and profitability. If they determine that it is most profitable to not redesign from the ground up, then that is what they should (and probably will) do.

Yes they should redesign it.

Yes, they should definitely redesign it.

From what I understand the current Mustang appeals most to the over 50 demographic. From a marketing standpoint you would have to say that may be holding back some sales.You now have the Subaru BRZ and Scion FRS, the 370Z, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe along with the Infiniti Coupe etc.Having a more modern body style might help lower the age demographic and steal some sales away from those cars as well as Camaro and Challenger. I'm over 50 and understand the appeal of the retro car. However we are eventually going to die off so our age demographic has a limited appeal. Also if Ford is going to make this a world car then a more modern body style makes sense.My main concern is the switch in engines, however.Mustang should not lose the V8. There has been some disccusion of using the ECOboost V6 and 4 to replace the base V6 and base GT Mustangs that might be a mistake for now. One of the things about the Mustang was it's engine sound.So I hope Ford is spending a lot of time in sound booths to make these new engines sound like a sportscar engine should.

Funny-I thought the Mustang had it's own bespoke platform with a solid beam axle. I mean it would make sense to have shared a platform with Jag/Lincoln but they all have IRS. I know it has not used a fox platform since 2004.

changing the style of the mustang is just plain stupid. If i take only one example of an icon, Porsche 911, which has not changed conceptually throughout its life. Save for the brief disaster of the fried egg headlamps and clunky style smoothout body style. Then breaking from a proven seller that has mass appeal makes absolutely no sense. And the comment that the mustang only appeals to 50 age group is ludicris! Show me the study to which you derived this information. Just like the Porshe, the Mustang when it was changed was a disaster.
Sure improve upon an icon, but dont change it to somthing its not.

I dunno. Seems I saw a Mustang concept by Pinanfarina(sp?)that looked fabulous, in Motor Trend magazine. Something like that, yes. To look like a Jag, no.
And, I've got a '65 and '70 convertible. So, I'm watching.

I disagree that customers would not accept the 3.5L Eco-boost motor in place of the 5.0L V8.

I sell F-150s for a living. One drive of the 3.5L Eco-boost and customers say SIGN ME UP! I have never had someone purchase the 5.0 after driving both. That means that not only are people choosing the V6, they are paying 1k more for the privilege.

The Eco-Boost's has instant torque!

The Ecoboost in the truck is different than the one in the Taurus SHO. THe truck motor gets TiVCT or Twin Independant Variable Cam Timing. If this makes it into the next Mustang, Chevy will be sitting on a lot of unsold Camaros.

I predict an all boosted Engine lineup for the next Mustang. A 2.0L Eco-boost, a 3.5L Eco-Boost, and a 5.0L Eco-Boost in the Shelby.

The retro look has gotten long in the tooth and needs to be deep sixed.

Time to look forwards now and end the obsession with the 1967-71 blimpish primitive muscle cars. Designers have wonderful new concepts and styles that reflect the new thinking and accrued knowledge of 40 more years of study/experience.