REPORT: 2014 Ford Mustang To Get Independent Rear Suspension, Lose Weight
With the heaviest 2011 Ford Mustang nudging 4000lbs in curb weight, Ford knows that things have to change if their iconic pony car wants to meet upcoming fuel economy regulations.
Cutting weight and overall size will be the most expedient route, with lightweight materials coming into use throughout the vehicle. The Mustang is also a huge vehicle, and expected to shrink in size as well.
The Mustang is also rumored to get an independent rear suspension, after nearly 50 years of using an antiquated live-axle suspension. While the live-axle setup works well (as you’ll see in our upcoming GT500 review), the Mustang will likely move to an integrated rear-drive platform shared with the more advanced Ford Falcon, which utilizes an independent rear suspension. Finally, the legions of haters will be forced into silence about the Mustang’s rear suspension setup, and Ford will be able to continue the muscle car legacy well into the 21st century.
[Source: The Mustang News]
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happy to get the current live axle configuration myself...truth is the indulgent wienies who cry about the mustang's rear axle would never buy a mustang. The sad truth is that many mustang enthusiasts will not be happy to have a sloppy IRS like the SS. I love to track my mustangs at the road coarse and the drag strip. The live axle looks to be doing pretty good in grand am racing vs. the wiener mobiles.
I have been wishing for the Mustang to return to the irs axle.I like the smooth ride of the 1999-2004 Mustang Cobra irs suspension.When driving around the city I would rather not feel as if I'm riding a live horse while sitting in a car rolling over all the bumps and potholes in the neighborhood.Please bring the irs axle back so I can stop thinking of purchasing a camero or corvette as my heart is with the Mustang.