Any automotive enthusiast worth his salt already knows that the Ford Mustang is currently the lightest muscle/pony car in the United States. Weighing in at roughly 3,600 pounds (1,632 kg) for a GT coupe with a six-speed manual transmission, the Mustang is nearly 260 pounds (118 kg) lighter than a comparably-equipped Chevrolet Camaro SS, and 450 pounds (204 kg) lighter than a similarly-specced Dodge Challenger R/T. The weight advantage allows the Mustang to have superior driving dynamics, including handling, braking, acceleration, and fuel economy, than its most direct competitors. And the next-generation 2015 Mustang is going to continue outshining the competition by becoming even lighter.
According to a report from Edmunds, the sixth-gen 2015 Mustang will lose an additional 400 pounds (180 kg), or 11 percent of the current model’s weight, placing the Mustang GT in the 3,200 pound (1,450 kg) realm.
Lighter and stronger materials are what is enabling Ford engineers to achieve the noteworthy weight reduction, with a heavy focus on aluminum throughout the vehicle. However, Edmunds’ sources note that we shouldn’t expect anything “terribly exotic” to be added to the model, which will be shown for the first time in December 2013 ahead of an official unveiling at the New York auto show in April 2014.
Also contributing to the overall decrease in the sixth-generation Mustang’s weight is a reduction in exterior dimensions, with the width shrinking by 6.5 inches and the length reportedly dwindling by 15 inches. To note, the 2013 Mustang sits at 188.5 inches long, meaning that the decrease in overall length should result in shorter front and rear overhangs.
But like all most good things in life, the improvements in weight and overall proportions, which will almost certainly result in a significantly-improved driving experience and performance, will come at a price. Depending on the equipment selected, the max price of the sixth-gen Mustnag is expected to grow by about 10 percent, according to Edmunds. Given that the 2015 Stang will also feature an independent rear end (bye-bye, live rear axle) and a host of other improvements, asking people to pay more money for a lighter car shouldn’t be that difficult to stomach for customers. Besides, those who might be able to afford a Mustang V6 might also be interested for a Focus ST, thereby keeping them in the Ford family of sports/performance cars.
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