The iconic Ford Mustang, one of America's most-loved cars since its 1964 introduction, has come full circle in recent years as its most recent redesigns have heavily relied on a retro look. The 2015 Mustang moves forward somewhat on this, with a more fluid and edgier shape.
Unfortunately, it appears that Ford is still going retro with the new Mustang's fuel economy numbers, back a little too far toward the gas-guzzling days of yesteryear.
According to photographs of window stickers attributed to the new Mustang, fuel economy on the base V-6 engine, for example, shows a rating of 28 mpg on the highway -- a drop of three miles per gallon from the 2014 model with the same engine. That brings the 2015 Mustang a couple of ticks below that of its closest rival in the Chevrolet Camaro line up.
Three miles per gallon may not seem like much of a difference. But consumers in general care much more about these numbers than they used to. Automakers now must pay much more attention to meeting federal standards for average fleet economy numbers.
Ford may be banking on the assumption that Mustang buyers are far more interested in performance than fuel economy. That may work for the Mustang V-8 GT and other powerful models, in which consideration of mileage per gallon gets left in the dust of the smoking tires of a steroided Mustang. However, buyers of the four-cylinder EcoBoost and V-6 models are likely to care more about the cost of gas. Another consideration for buyers is that all 2015 Mustangs perform best only with premium fuel.
"We have not discussed fuel economy at all, and we'd like to wait until the EPA officially releases the Mustang's fuel economy ratings," said Ford spokesman Brian Cotter.
Some of the improvements made to the 2015 model have added additional weight to what was once referred to as a pony car, but is now a full-throated racehorse. The car is a bit larger than the outgoing 2014 model, which usually contributes to increased weight. Four of the six 2015 Mustang models are heavier than their predecessors.
The addition of an independent rear suspension, a move welcomed by Mustang critics, and some new electronic safety features that are also worthy enhancements, have also bloated the vehicle's weight.
The 2015 Ford Mustang has just begun to roll off production lines. Mustangs should be galloping into dealerships within a couple of weeks.
