Next Mustang to include Sedan and Wagon variants
According to the latest reports, Ford has serious plans to expand the Mustang brand. The rumors suggest that the next Mustang will include four-door sedan and wagon bodystyles.
We recently brought you artists' renderings of the next Mustang, which is anticipated to draw on some of the dramatic lines of the Giugiaro Mustang concept from the LA show. But no one expected the new stallion to grow an extra pair of doors.
Taking a cue from arch-rival GM, whose Australian Holden subsidiary came to the rescue with the Monaro-based GTO after the Firebird and Camaro were discontinued, Ford is said to be turning to its Australian operation to provide the basis for the next Mustang. The car would be built on a new rear-drive corporate platform to be shared with Lincoln, among other divisions. With wide open spaces and a penchant for big engines, the Australian market is said to closely mirror ours here in America.
The ponycar has a long history for Ford, and has had featured a few different bodystyles – including coupe, convertible and fastback – but until now they've all been two-door variants. A family-size Mustang would be a dramatic departure for one of the oldest nameplates in the business.
[Source: Autocar via PistonHeads]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mooseman 2:08PM (12/13/2006)
I doubt they throw the Stang nameplate on the car. I'd bet they name it Falcon and just share the platform.
Reply
Carl 2:07PM (12/13/2006)
AAAAAWWWWW HELLL NO!!!!
Reply
bloooooooooooooooood 2:08PM (12/13/2006)
Ok why stop there, why not a minivan as well, or an SUV.
Reply
Mike 2:11PM (12/13/2006)
Why is it called Giugiaro Mustang? Why give it an Italian name, isn't Mustant all about Americana, apple pie, old glory, long wide roads? What if Lamborgini will name it's car Alamo?
Reply
Michael Karesh 2:11PM (12/13/2006)
I'm a big fan of wagons, but even I can see that the Dodge Magnum's sales have been weak ever since the Charger went on sale.
On the other hand, the Charger has been selling well, and it's similar in concept to a four-door Mustang. Including the initial controversy.
While sedan and wagon versions of the Mustang would directly counter Dodge, they're certain to upset the faithful.
Reply
mlbommel 2:11PM (12/13/2006)
HORRIBLE Idea. Almost as bad as the Mustang II from the 70s and the "Mazda Mustang" (Ford Probe) from the 80s. Why is it that Ford repeatedly insists on trying to screw up the one thing they have right?
Reply
Craig 2:19PM (12/13/2006)
Way to go Ford!!!! You have only one good seller so you want to dilute it and make more. I honestly did not believe Ford was that desperate. I also gave them way more credit for intelligence they clearly do not have. Good news though, if they stick to the concept we will have a good ideal of what a Camero wagon will look lot. All Hail Ford and the Death of Originality.
Reply
mlbommel 2:13PM (12/13/2006)
It's called Giugiaro because that's the name of the italian designer that did that concept. He's the son of the famous designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who's work included the Lotus Esprit among many others.
Reply
Spalind 2:19PM (12/13/2006)
tee-hee-hee...another dumb idea from an american car company...shocker!! At least they're good for laughs!!
Reply
ohmy 2:18PM (12/13/2006)
For mustang haters this is great news, nothing kills the Muscle car image faster than a soccer mom going grocery shopping in her wagon....
now with that said, and after seeing the Magnum SRT8 in person just this past weekend, and even though it would no doubt massacre the Mustang name for all of eternity, I have to admit, this might be a good idea....
Reply
Oscar 7:03PM (12/13/2006)
History repeats itself, I guess these morons didn't learn anything with the Thunderbird.
Reply
farris 2:23PM (12/13/2006)
It's the coming of days, I'm telling you. A Mustang wagon??? Even though I love wagons (there a hell of a lot more sensical than SUVs for most), the Mustang has never been about sense. The Mustang is meant to be a cheap, hi-po car that can be afforded by the masses. I remember reading in the coffee table book "Mustang" that the original was even affordable to high school graduates. The sooner Ford realizes this, the better.
I say, make it more affordable, and it'll sell better than hotcakes.
Reply
MikeW 2:48PM (12/13/2006)
and by right you mean the new 3.5 V6, ZF 6hp19,26,32 automatic for the 3.5, 4.6, and the 5.4 supercharged, 6 speed manuals for the base and GT models, 'quad beam' headlights H11 lows, H9 highs, and H8 low mounted fog lights, amber rear turn signals, lateral turn signal repeater, modern aero wipers and low profile radio antenna, manumatic interface with the automatic transmission, and functional rear spoiler.
At least the brakes are good, and you can put 235/60 tires on the base wheels, and 255/50 17 on the GT's wheels, the platform still has leading link steering, and the gas tank is not behind the rear axle now.
Reply
JayP 2:31PM (12/13/2006)
Good idea- and I'm not sarcastic.
I can't see them using Mustang as a brand- but leveraging the platform like Nissan used the 350Z/G35/FX. Mustang/Falcon/Falcon avant?
Reply
Bruce Lee 2:30PM (12/13/2006)
This has got to be the dumbest thing that Ford could do, not to say that they have any smarts to begin with. But here we go again, make the Mustang a four door, then change the grill and and tail lights, spruce up the interior and call it a Lincoln, gee gow original is that! Ford does it to all their other vehicles, why not the Mustangs. Another fleet car to replace the Taurus, it will be as succesful as the Ford 500, and those have people lining up to buy them, come on Ford, pull your heads out of your butts.
Reply
2005GT 2:51PM (12/13/2006)
Reaction is far from positive on the Mustang Forums I frequent
Having a 4 door and a wagon on the same platform is great to cut costs. Calling them Mustangs with the same sheetmetal is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard.
Reply
jrhmobile 2:31PM (12/13/2006)
Sure, why not? Building a four-door Thunderbird did a lot for the prestige of Ford's top-line cars ...
Reply
da truth 3:26PM (12/13/2006)
Your quote: "Almost as bad as the Mustang II from the 70s and the "Mazda Mustang" (Ford Probe) from the 80s.
Dear mlbommel,
The Ford Probe was built on the Mazda MX-5 platform not a Mustang. Get yo your info right!
I don't know how you mistaken the Probe for a Mustang platform.
As far as an sedan and wagon.... shit it appears better than the Ford 500 and Freestyle!
Get over you're manhood of the Mustang is only for macho insecured men. Soccer mom's can ride in style with some muscle.
Will it sale??? Hmmm get rid of the 500 and Freestyle and I bet you it will have better numbers.
Reply
Justin 2:33PM (12/13/2006)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO!
I love that they get a winner and then decide to kill it as fast as possible by eliminating what makes it cool in the first place. OMG THEY ARE IDIOTS.
I wish Ford of Europe could just invade American shores and stop the madness.
Reply
Opposite Lock 2:39PM (12/13/2006)
Plus, the original mustang was based on falcon underpinnings. There's nice symmetry there. I also doubt they'd call it the mustang sedan, and it would proabably have different styling. Almost no mainstream cars has a bespoke platform anymore. (Even though the mustang is based on the c1 focus platform, it is very loosely) It makes sense.
Reply