Talk:Ford Mustang (seventh generation)

Platform vs Chassis designation

@Carguy1701 Recently, I have tried to edit the “platform” section to reflect a cited source (in this case, a magazine article that features an excerpt from a book) that features Mustang Lead Ed Krenz stating that the existing platform used for the S550 (which he notes is technically called the D5, which is analogous to the DC2) was reused for the S650. S550 and S650 are the chassis or iteration numbers of the Mustang, they do not refer to the actual underpinnings or architectures. While I understand my earlier edit being removed for a lack of citation, I do not understand why is was done so with the citation intact: apparently my source refers to it as the “S650 platform?” The S650 Mustang features the DC2/D5 platform. The S650 refers to the generation, the DC2/D5 is the actual platform, same goes for the S550 also using the DC2/D5 platform. 129.210.115.227 (talk) 19:41, 13 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I reverted it because the article uses both terms. I've never seen S550 referred to as D5 before; every article I've seen calls it S550. There was a discussion on the talk page about this same subject with someone who claimed to have industry connections who said the same basic thing. I would think an engineer would know the vehicle he developed but I'd also think we'd have heard it called D5 by now in other publications.Carguy1701 (talk) 20:21, 13 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Even if I will admit the D5 name is less commonly seen, the amount of publications referring to it as D2C (which, for all intents and purposes is an alterante name for D5) is noticeably greater:

https://fox59.com/automotive/internet-brands/preview-2024-ford-mustang-injects-modern-tech-into-the-traditional-pony-car/

“While the new internally coded S650-generation Mustang was rumored to switch platforms to the CD6 rear- and all-wheel-drive architecture from the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator, it instead stays on the Mustang-specific DC2 platform that’s served the car since 2015. However, Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager Eddie Kahn told Motor Authority that Ford revised several parts, including the aluminum lower control arms, rear suspension links, shocks, springs, and stabilizer bars, all with the goal of providing better dynamics and responsiveness.”

https://www.thecarconnection.com/cars/ford_mustang

”Ford keeps the Mustang on the DC2 platform from the last model, but company engineers have tweaked the shocks, springs, rear suspension links, aluminum lower control arms, and stabilizer bars to improve dynamics.”

There is also the Marklines North America Forecast document published in early 2023 that found its way online within the last year that has this to say about the D2C/D5 platform (which I unfortunately cannot cite with a link):

”The company plans to redesign the Ford Mustang (S650) in April 2023, one month later than previously forecast, while remaining on the D2C/D5 platform that we also expect to be the last generation of the Mustang to be powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE)…”

”The next-generation Ford Mustang [S650] will continue to be based on the dated D2C platform. Production was planned to begin in March 2023, eight months later than previously forecast, and continue at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan, plant.“

I understand why you might not find any of this as evidence removing “S650” (the chassis/generation designation), but perhaps it’s enough for it to share the platform field with it? 129.210.115.227 (talk) 04:54, 14 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

That's exactly what I was thinking, actually.Carguy1701 (talk) 04:55, 14 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting, I could see that as a reasonable possibility. I do agree that saying the S650 is analogous to say, the S550 wouldn’t be correct: The S550’s employment of the D2C, while already a noticeable departure with a new bodyshell and rear suspension, was heavily enough upgraded to warrant a new generation with the S650. In doing so, elements of the CD6 platform were successfully integrated, even if it remains technically on the D2C/D5 architecture.

There is evidence the original plan was to develop a new Mustang entirely on CD6, but that was shelved or cancelled outright, 129.210.115.227 (talk) 02:10, 15 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, I remember those rumors too. I suspect it was shelved because of the fact that it would've made the car too heavy for what it was supposed to be (read: too similar to the Challenger). Having been under a CD6 Explorer, I can with some certainty that Ford used the S550 platform as their starting point, which isn't really surprising since it was the only unibody RWD chassis they had. I'm not sure what elements of CD6 were integrated, though; far as I'm aware, the only major mechanical change for S650 from S550 was the switch to an electrohydraulic brake system; the vast majority of the unibody structure was left alone. Then again, I'm just a technician so I wouldn't have access to that info.Carguy1701 (talk) 04:58, 15 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

My understanding is that the decision was made to have the S650 continue to use the S550’s version of the D2C architecture (albeit in upgraded form) due to cost and overall packaging (read: weight and size) constraints.

I recently re-read the IHS Markit document again: for what it’s worth, it refers to the S550 and S650 designations as the car’s “Program/Program codes” and lists the platform as D2C/D5. And yes, the overall vehicle structure was not modified to the same extent it was for the S550 program. 129.210.115.227 (talk) 05:32, 15 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Well, I guess that settles that then, lol.Carguy1701 (talk) 13:31, 15 February 2024 (UTC)[reply]