2015 Mustang benchmarked against outgoing M3. Already trailing the upcoming M4?

[Charminar]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Will 2015 Mustang GT be a match for M3/M4?

So the 2015 Mustang was just revealed and it now comes with independent rear suspension, which should mean it will handle better than ever. Apparently, Ford benchmarked the M3 and the 911 when engineering the new Mustang (from Jalopnik):

Rather than looking at the Camaro as always, Ford used the BMW M3 and Porsche 911 as the standard. Because the Mustang will be sold in Europe for the first time, engineers looked for "world-class" handling. In other words, they wanted to build an American car that Europeans would be used to.

The Mustang's front track increases 15 millimeters and 70 millimeters in the rear. It's 38 millimeters lower to the ground. Davis didn't say if the Mustang lost any weight, but some pounds were shed: It adds an aluminum hood, aluminum fenders and aluminum rear knuckles on the IRS. We couldn't squeeze out any other weight details.

The V8 GT model features more than 420hp and 390lb-ft (full specs from Mustang6g).

So the question is if it will be a match for the F82 M4 coupe? It's benchmarked against the current E90/E92 M3, so will it already trail behind the new M3/M4 when those model hit the market next year?

[Charminar]

Gotta say, it's quite a looker.

pics linked from Mustang6g.com

[XtoM]

Looks nice but it's no comparison to either of it's benchmarking cars, it's a fast car but not a sports car, muscle cars don't cut it unless you live on a drag strip.

[catpat8000]

Originally Posted by XtoM

Looks nice but it's no comparison to either of it's benchmarking cars, it's a fast car but not a sports car, muscle cars don't cut it unless you live on a drag strip.

I don't agree. The 2011 Mustang was compared against the 2011 M3 on the track by one of the publications and it was an extremely close comparison.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

The 2015 Mustang will have an IRS, more than 420 hp (power numbers not yet announced), and will weigh significantly less than the outgoing model, just like the M3. I'd say it's a very good comparison.

Pat

[F82_SID]

It definitely looks more European than American muscle car though. That is probably both a good and bad thing. Yes making it more sleek and refined makes it more attractive to the international market however, that goes against what a "muscle car" is supposed to be. Generally, muscle cars are big, bulky, and powerful.

Although performance figures for the Mustang and M3 are comparable, most people wouldn't normally cross shop these cars because they represent two different types of drivers, experiences, and niches.

[tdizzle]

So in short. Yes it will compete peformance wise as the older one wasn't too far off from the E9x M3.

Many people won't cross shop the two but that's mostly based on american muscle car vs german sports sedan. Put them on the track and I figure the M3 will be more capable, but dont expect the margin to be huge, at least not when considering the huge price premium. That has been the case ever since the new 5.0 was released though. People don't usually see them in the same class because of price and type of car but in reality the performance numbers place them pretty close.

[rking117]

the first thing I said when I saw it was wow that looks very Euro. It is about time that ford took suggestions from the best.

[AtlantaDude]

One thing I LOVE about this new Stang, is that they have brought back the fastback style! I think this thing is a looker. The rear is going to take a little getting use to, but I fully plan on test driving this thing.

[kmarei]

the biggest disappointment, as always with American cars
is the second you sit inside
cheapo plastic interior all around

I have a friend at work who owns the GT500
rode with him a few times
sounds nice, tons of power
but feels like i'm sitting in a cheapo Ford focus on the inside

in no way does it feel premium
its a cheap car, with a strong engine

[F80_M]

Front/side profile looks like a honda accord to me....

[chicochico]

I just had a newer Mustang v6 for a few days as a rental. Now granted it doesn't the IRS and is the outgoing model. But WOW did it feel lifeless and handle like a POS. I couldn't believe how bad it was compared to my e90. I was sliding all over the place without trying.

So even if it can keep up on the track, its just not in the same in my books.

That being said, if you want raw power, great looks at a great price, its a hell of a value proposition.

Originally Posted by Charminar

Will 2015 Mustang GT be a match for M3/M4?

So the 2015 Mustang was just revealed and it now comes with independent rear suspension, which should mean it will handle better than ever. Apparently, Ford benchmarked the M3 and the 911 when engineering the new Mustang (from Jalopnik):



The V8 GT model features more than 420hp and 390lb-ft (full specs from Mustang6g).

So the question is if it will be a match for the F82 M4 coupe? It's benchmarked against the current E90/E92 M3, so will it already trail behind the new M3/M4 when those model hit the market next year?

[wontonbomb]

Looks good...I'm impressed with Ford.

[m3kenny]

The new M3/M4 will hand it to the competition. Again. They always do

[BMWRL]

This new Mustang is hot! This should be interesting... Don't underestimate the American car brands look where Cadillac is with their new offerings. The new ATS has won a lot of accolades...

[barcius13]

Originally Posted by iczer34

Looks good...I'm impressed with Ford.

+1. I will take a test drive and we can talk later. Competition is getting closer while BMW seems more focused on milking the M brand more than ever...

[checkmate]

Originally Posted by kmarei

the biggest disappointment, as always with American cars
is the second you sit inside
cheapo plastic interior all around

I have a friend at work who owns the GT500
rode with him a few times
sounds nice, tons of power
but feels like i'm sitting in a cheapo Ford focus on the inside

in no way does it feel premium
its a cheap car, with a strong engine

You should sit inside the new corvette. Pisses on my current M3 for sure.

The new M3/M4 looks droopy + sounds like an angry fart. If the new 3/4 series interior is any indication, the new Mustang is definitely the best among the two.

[reborn]

I think that a true comparison for a GT is the 335. The M3 is a much more expensive car and should be compared to special models of the mustang.

[Mavus]

the front end, front side and interior is a mess. Too bad.

[PawnStar]

hell yeah, huge GT500 brakes, new independent suspension, big honkin' V8 with 420+ hp with a proper 6 speed manual at a sub $35k?! Better yet, a convertible for sub $40k?!

That'll be likely less than half the price of the upcoming M4 vert...Is it less than half the car?? We'll just have to see what the market participants have to say about that...

[btbossman]

Wow, Im intrigued. Looks a little g35ish on the side, but all in all gorgeous

[e92sport]

Originally Posted by kmarei

the biggest disappointment, as always with American cars
is the second you sit inside
cheapo plastic interior all around

I have a friend at work who owns the GT500
rode with him a few times
sounds nice, tons of power
but feels like i'm sitting in a cheapo Ford focus on the inside

in no way does it feel premium
its a cheap car, with a strong engine

It's half the price of an m3 so interior wouldn't be a comparison. They supposedly stepped it up on this model and used real materials like leather, vinyl and aluminum so we'll just have to wait and see.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by catpat8000

I don't agree. The 2011 Mustang was compared against the 2011 M3 on the track by one of the publications and it was an extremely close comparison.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

The 2015 Mustang will have an IRS, more than 420 hp (power numbers not yet announced), and will weigh significantly less than the outgoing model, just like the M3. I'd say it's a very good comparison.

Pat

The current Mustang can keep up with an M3, but the handling is not even close. Bear in mind that there's a LOT more to handling than skidpad numbers and lap times, I've driven every year of the fifth gen Mustang (2005-2013) and pretty much every engine they offer (3.7 V6, 4.6 V8, 5.0 V8, a couple of the earlier GT500s) and they all have basically the same handling characteristics; very lazy steering with almost no feel, very soft springs and dampers, tons of rubber in the suspension, etc. They're just sloppy cars, you can throw them into a corner and they will generate enough grip to go through very quickly but you don't feel the road at all and can't really tell how close you are to the limit. That live rear axle (which is gone now) isn't as bad as some say but it still has some very annoying characteristics, chief among them is the huge weight of the rear diff and axle hanging off of the suspension which means that even though the suspension is very soft, it still crashes and makes the body wobble when you hit a bump and hitting a bump mid-corner makes the whole car bounce. The earlier fifth gen GTs with the 4.6 were worse than the 5.0s, in the last few years Ford started offering the track pack and a couple other options that went a long way towards improving the way the Mustang drove. The 2013 GT Track Pack I drove was pretty good as long as the road was fairly smooth.

They're definitely not bad cars, I think the current 5.0 GT is one of the most fun cars you can get for the money and the motor is just epic but it has some serious handling issues. It looks like Ford is very serious with this new car, though. I can't wait to try it out.