2014-15 Shelby (Mustang)

This is the companion project to the ongoing 2013-15 Mustang concept. Reuses an updated 5th Gen Mustang Platform (DC2), codename S197:http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/generation-5.htm.
Having just toured the Shelby Factory and Museum here in Las Vegas (pictures coming), it is clear I need to have a Shelby American corp. sourced version of the Mustang for 2013-15 (next gen).
-'Terlingua'= 3.7 v6 supercharged (unlike the 'ecoboost' turbo v6, but based on the same 3.7 litre). Similar to the current Terlingua special. 350hp; Uses the 'jackrabbit' ferrari like logo
- 'Cobra Jet' or "CJ" = v8 based. 450hp. Uses the snake with 'CJ' logo.
These car will share body parts, and will have totally unique panels foward of the 'A' pillars/doors and rear end cap. New panels will be of fiberglass; Ford will no longer have an in-house 'Shelby GT500' due to cost concerns, and instead Shelby American will take 'tuner' Mustangs in house. Partial build Mustangs will be shipped to Shelby's Las Vegas factory. The cars have a full warrantee. Ford would get a cut of a per car profit. Ford will help market and sell the car as well.

2013-15 Ford Mustang

[ongoing project Feb. 2007-current]
2012-15 Ford "Mustang Lite" concept-
Design brief-
-Smaller, reduced size update to this iconic car, 2 generations after 2005 remake.
-keeping some retro cues while also 'pushing the envelope'.
-Utilizes advanced technical elements.
-Due to cost, the existing platform (5th Gen Mustang Platform [DC2], codename S197:http://mustangs.about.com/od/history/a/generation-5.htm) will be updated, as opposed to a new rear drive platform to be shared with other rear drive 'world cars' (US, Austrailia, etc.) , which Ford has cancelled (1/09).
[Update Jan. 2009]
1/23/2009- The poll here for a 4 door variation shows this is not a good design alternative.

1/13/2009- Ford announced it's read drive sedan program is dead, incl. for Lincoln.

Poll results here for a 4 door Mustang do not look good, but will do a few concepts anyways.

Re-attempting a '4-door Mustang' concept variation, as this may become more viable as the 'pony car' markets possibly shrinks in the future due to growing fuel and practicallity concerns.
This would give Ford a read drive sedan entry that alos takes' advantage of the '4 door coupe' rage (aka Passat CC, Benz CLS et al);
An alternative would be a coupe Mustang 'lite' for Ford, on a shortened WB, and a Lincoln 4 door 'muscle lux' sedan using the existing WB. A friend Eric Vieceli recommends suicide type doors with the rear door latch/handle hidden inside the jamb until the fron is opened. A pillarless hardtop would also suit this car. This door would also harken back to the 'Kennedy' Lincolns of the 60's;

[update Dec. 2008]
-New economic concerns require serious alterations for future viability of this niche product:
-- This next Mustang will either update the 2005/2008 platform, OR will have to spread the platform to many other offerrings to cut costs. Thier is some possibility of of a '4 door coupe' offerring (toyed with when also doing a rear drive sedan project last year) that would maybe expand the market. Danger is that this might cause a backlash from some Mustang buyers. Some concepts of this should be further attempted that minimize the extra door.
-- Car will be 70-80% the size of the 2008 model, with a strong focus on 4 cyl 'Ecoboost' turbo and V6 versions. V8's might be relagated to a limited prod. model to meet CO2 and CAFE stds.
-- As oppossed to earlier specs, car will be more conventional, so no scissor doors, and rear camera is just an option. Other advanced elements might be curtailed to cut costs.
-- Current sales are lowest in history at about 30-40k units annual. This model 5-7 years hence will take into account a similar niche type sales target.
[Latest News March 2008]
- Ford just announced late this month that in fact they approved a global rear drive platform to underpin a sedan for the US, sedan and coupes for Australia, and the next Ford Mustang. This was my original premis, and seems correct now!

-Renderings-
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/jackdogg890/2013-15%20Ford%20Mustang%20concept/
Rick;s take-
Those who know me, know I have too many 'favorite' cars (1970 camaro, early e-type jags, MGB's, DB6 aston martin, even the simply styled 83 GTI I owned, and on it goes); At the top of the list is the Mustang, the best being in my opinion, the first generation fastback. This project picks up where the coming update (2009-10) of the new retro 2005-2007 model leaves off.
So this uses a new platform and is not a simple update, but a remake yet again. This near 'clean sheet' give me alot of latitude technology wise (see specs). The down side is such an 'iconic' car is very difficult to style, keeping the retro elements while trying some new ideas. I now have new appreciation for how hard the real designers have it under such limitations for the 'next' 'stang.
Specifications and Overview-
Utilizes technologies in use on various cars now (2007) but expected to be fairly common in several years:-Scissor doors, all LED lites, rear cameras/no mirrors, sound canceling exhaust, ect.
Platfrom to be shared with Ford Rear drive sedan, Lincoln rear drive sedan, Austrailian read drive cars, and others. See my Ford Futura project.
V8's to use fuel saving technology like displacement on demand (runs on 4 cyl. unless required demand for 8). Even a hybrid might become available.
1/25/07:2008-2009, Mustang refresh to front and rear.
2010-2011. Remake, likely on updated current chassis.2015 or so. another remake, and what this project entails......a very future Mustang, that while becomes more advanced, stillharkens back to its roots.
No rear view mirrors, as rear camera used to display to Nav.Headlites are LEDS- HIDs.

1/27/07:The few concepts so far are mostly too 'current' or '2010' , and need to be further out styling wise for the future.
Models: 4.0 (v6), 4.0GT (GT but with a V6), 5.0GT (v8)
All have IRS, and 6 speed trans (auto or man.).
Platform shared with world-wide Ford global family, incl. Austrailian Falcon and such.
WB=106 (down from 107)Length reduced due to much less rear overhang.

2012-13 Chevrolet/Pontiac small rear drive 2dr. fastback coupe/wagon

"Chevrolet Nomad" and/or "Pontiac Safari"
Public naming poll results:

(Chevrolet Stiletto was another used but never voted on)

Design Brief-
-derived from news 12/6/2007 that Chevy, not Pontiac(?) gets a small rear drive car. Update in 2009 is that only Caddy is getting this initially.
-Uses GM's coming "Alpha" small rear drive platform.
-$sub 20k starting price.
-4 cyl and small v6 power; turbo optional.
-slots above Cobalt, below Malibu;
-was to be a coupe and sedan, now just a fastback coup/wagon that revisits the original Nomad. [update Dec. 2008] Current condtions of the market and GM in particular, put this car in question. Nevertheless, this on again/off again 'Alpha' platform may still have some viability for later in the decade. If not 2012, perhaps a bit later. Pontiac is rumored to become a niche market provider only, so perhaps they would still get a version that is unique to Chevy's. News now is Caddilac may get a version so it compete with other rear drive small lux sedans in Europe. The current FWD BLS is doing badly.
Renderings-
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/jackdogg890/2012%20Chevrolet%20small%20rear%20drive%20%20coupe_wagon/

Rick's take-
This small rear drive 'alpha' platform (so smaller than the 'sigma' used with Cadillac CTS, and also the Zeta used by the new G8 Pontiac and coming Camaro) from GM has been rumored for some time in 2007. It was to go to Pontiac, but of recent late 2007, word is in fact they do not get it, Chevy does. Now this makes no sense to this 'experienced closet' automotive product planner, but I tried to see what this might look like anyways. In doing so it became apparent this 2 and 4 door small rear drive car would have a hard time fitting into the lineup (as I first thought), without scavenging sales from Colbalt and the new Malibu even. So now my path has swung more towards a 'niche' product that brings to life the concept Chevy Nomad shown at auto shows a year ago. That was 'kappa' based (Soltice/Sky sports car based);
Mine provides real 5 place seating (plus with extra 2 jump seats) in a 2door coupe/sportwagon mode like the original 1955-57 Nomad, but much smaller. 'Some' retro elements will be there, but without overpowering the overall design.
Being a 'niche' product like the HHR, means less sales, and so this platform has to be shared across many makes, as planned by GM. Recent federal CO2 and CAFE fuel standards could kill this platform outright.
Specifications-
-2.4 ecotech inline 4 cyl. base engine
-2.8 v6 (once used in CTS from Cadillac) and turbo (via SAAB) optional.
-rear drive, Alpha platform (being developed for several GM brands).
UPDATE 12/24/2007:
While drawing a coupe variant, I also drew a sport wagon type, that 'suspiciosly' is coming off as a new wave 'Nomad' (a 2 dr. sportwagon sold 1955-57, and also was a concept on the Soltice sports car platform more recently);
As a coupe and perhaps sedan will in fact scavenge sales from other models in the line up (example, a high end v6 coupe could take sales from a base Camaro), I have decide to only offer the 2 door fastback coupe/sportwagon, and call it Nomad or BelAir.

2013 Porsche 'Speedster' RS2200 and RS2200T coupe and spyder

Renderings Here.
This is a sport coupe and spyder (cabriolet) that would replace the Cayman and Boxster with one model in two variations. It would also mark the return of a flat-four boxer engine, that will help Porsche meet tougher CAFE standards.
No 6 cylinder would be offered, to further seperate it from the Carerra.
This model would also take Porsche slightly 'down market' for high volume.
-2 door 2 seat coupe; Possible sometimes 4 seating as below.
-2 door 2 seat cabriolet;
-rear boxer 4 cyl. engine (2.2 litre, 2.2 turbo);
-80-90% size of Cayman and Boxster;
-Cost $27k-35k
-some concepts utilize the 'evolve' transistional roof, that allows a two seater to become an occassional 4 seater, with a rear hatch/roof and 'tunneled' rear glass that motor up to form a flush roof that add cargo and head room in back.
NEWS 9/12/2008- VW and Porsche may collaborate on a mid-engine sports car. Each will get a version, with both sharing platforms. For Porsche it's being called the new 914, slotted below the Boxster (mine reamins a replacement); Therfore, my design direction will add some mid-engine concepts.

2012 'Downtown' *** and 'Downtown Sporting' micro sub-compact

Renderings Here.
-Related to the "Four-Ever" 2 door sub-A class sub-compact.
----Shares its chassis, in shortened form.
-1 litre hybrid electric;
-Slightly larger than a 'Smart' car;
-2 seater only;
-2 door coupe ("Urban") and Sport coupe ("Urban Sporting");
***formerly 'Urban' but this name is taken already in Europe by Toyota.

2015 'Four-ever' sub sub-compact concept

Renderings Here.
-Competes in or just below the 'A" size class (Toyota Yaris, Mini Cooper, Chevy Aveo);
-Front wheel drive 1-1.3 litre 3 cyl. gas hybrid;
-3 door concepts; 5 doors unnecessary as side doors are elongated for rear seat entry;
-seat 4 full size adults and some luggage.
-costs $15-17k
-long 100" wheelbase, 'zero' overhang, 140-150" length;
-5 star safety ratings; tires at all corners act as supportting elements in crash asorbtion with bumpers.

2011 Volkswagen Virtigo

Renderings Here.
Working on a short project, similar to my VW 'Rennbahn' car, but more an occasional sports roadster:
-seats 4, "2 comfortabley"
-rear engine (1 to 1.3 turbo, and with a Hybrid option)
-some aspects of the original beetle-based dune buggy
-targa type roof, with lift off panel and top side rails above the door to add strength and reduce cost
-priced around 18k or less
-Uses the coming VW 'UP!' platform (rear engine economy platform)