Much as we enjoy likening the 2015 Mustang to its namesake, we’re pretty sure real horses don’t spend as much time in the wind tunnel as Ford’s new ponycar did.
With requisite attention paid to aerodynamics, a car will not only be faster but more fuel efficient and quieter in its cabin. That’s exactly what the Mustang team wanted to achieve with the 2015 Mustang’s design. Particular care was given to reducing wind noise. That’s why you’ll notice that the side mirrors extend off the doors themselves rather than the A-pillar. They’re also designed to be as small as possible. These factors reduce turbulence and direct noise away from the windows.
The new Mustang also utilizes an “air-curtain” concept. Air is funneled through slits before the front tires, and strategically placed spoilers in front of the rear tires keep the air stream consistent along the side of the car. Total drag is then reduced by a reported three percent.
Air intakes for the engine will be varied by model. The grille on Mustangs with an EcoBoost engine will have shutters that close and open depending on how much airflow is required. They are governed by the car’s cooling modules and will route air over and around the car when it isn’t needed. These shutters will not be included on the V8 models, but those will include other technology to avoid air pressure buildup under the hood.
All of this talk of aerodynamics is particularly important when you consider the 2015 Ford Mustang convertible, which we also have new details for. The game changes completely when you drop the top and have to adapt airflow to a brand new shape, and even with the hood up, a fabric roof presents more challenges for the wind noise and turbulence that the engineers wished to reduce. They’re up to the task, though, because they say they have improved the wind and water seals on the new top.
The convertible’s roof will only be available in black, and reports indicate that the mechanism is all-electric now. This means that the roof will be able to open and close much faster, but only at speeds lower than three miles per hour. The Mustang is Ford’s only convertible so you can be sure they’ve done what it takes to get it right.
You can read more about the Mustang’s aerodynamics and the 2015 Ford Mustang convertible on Motor Trend, here and here. If you have other questions, feel free to leave a comment or get in touch with us at Leith Ford.