The new Ford Mustang will hit Autobahn speeds, bake under Gulf Coast sun and navigate remote roads in rural China.
The pony car is not just for America anymore.
Engineers must meet needs of diverse markets while keeping the distinctly North American styling and satisfying traditional customers who expect a better sports car with each generation.
Two areas that have drawn close attention are Mustang’s aerodynamics and a better soft top for the convertible, which was designed simultaneously with the fastback.
The convertible accounts for more than 18% of Mustang sales and should grow with expansion to global markets.
“It’s a good piece of the business,” said marketing manager Steve Ling.
Twice as much time was spent on simulations and wind tunnel testing for the 2015 car than for the current model, said Carl Widmann, Ford’s aerodynamics engineering manager. The result is a quieter car with 3% less drag, translating into 1% better fuel efficiency.
Kemal Curic, Mustang studio design manager, said early clay models were shaped and tested in the wind tunnel in Allen Park.
The desire to redirect air flow efficiently shaped design cues such as the shark nose that diverts air over the hood and front splitters that diffuse air around the sides of the car instead of under it.
Engineers added an aero curtain that funnels air through a hole in the foglight area, hood scoops and active grille shutters on North American models. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine blocks air from entering the engine compartment.
The side mirrors are now attached to the body of the Mustang instead of the window, eliminating road noise at highway speeds. An integrated spoiler and tapered rear end funnel the air off the back of the sports car.
“The tighter the air is against the vehicle, the less drag you have,” Widmann said.