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2015 Ford Mustang Leaked, Does It Spell Trouble For Chevy Camaro?

A hotly anticipated vehicle like the 2015 Ford Mustang, or 2014 Corvette for that matter, nearly always tends to break cover early. Today, we see official photos of the all-new Mustang for the first time, ahead of its global debut later this week.

With the new 2015 Mustang, we see a sleeker, more athletic looking body than before. The front clip is now more in line with other Ford family members such as the handsome Fusion, yet still manages to be distinctively Mustang. Meanwhile, the signature three-bar taillights, yet the hips are noticeably wider than before. We’d say they’re as wide as the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro now.

Speaking of which, the Camaro is expected to face stiffer competition from the Mustang, which is said to be lighter and finally feature an independent rear suspension. It might be tough for the Camaro going forward, until the sixth-generation model surfaces. Camp Camaro, did you flinch?

Former staff.

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Comments

  1. The sales are already close, so the new Mustang will probably take the lead. Although, Chevrolet will have a new model a year later, which is a smarter move in the long run. For will have the freshest car for only one year.

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  2. Al Oppenheiser is lol-ing at the rear end of the ‘Stang. The tail lights of the C7 were controversial, the rear end of the 2015 Mustang is just ugly. The double stacked bumper looks stupid. And the diffuser looks like trash.
    Everything else is pretty good looking and expected. I’m not a fan of the A/M front end that Fords have these days, but it didn’t come as a surprise on the Mustang so it is what it is, I’ve said my piece numerous times about those grilles.
    Base Mustang is supposedly around 3000lbs and that’s where I expect the 6th gen Camaro to be. Base ATS is 3300lbs, and once you lose the rear doors (and yea, add 20-30% to the front doors since they will be longer), and lose all the luxury amenities and extensive dynamat. The next Camaro should come in around 3000lbs too.
    The 2.3L EcoBoost is going to be putting out 310hp and about the same number for torque, but not calling it the SVO, what’s up with that Ford?

    The one year buffer with the 6th gen Stang on the road and aging Camaro will be hard on the Bowtie pony, but I think the 6th gen Camaro will fire back on all cylinders and restore it’s place, no problem.

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  3. Ford can play catch up all they want, still won’t be enough!

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  4. Haha look at how hard it’s trying to be a small car! Honda Civic coupe roofline, Porsche Cayman rear, Chevy Cruze wheels, and a Chevy Code 130R front on a Ford Aston Martin Fusion body; cute.

    I’m no trying to bash the car right off the line, and I do believe it will be a very competitive car against the Camaro (current gen.) even with a turbo’d four cylinder or whatever. I just think it looks silly and unoriginal. I’d imagine it will offer some pretty impressive specs at launch, too.

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  5. Doesn’t have that pony car look anymore which i think will help the Camaro.

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  6. Well it is hard to tell what will happen till we know more of the 2016 model Camaro.

    This is what will happen. The Ford will sell well the first year or so till the Camaro arrives. It will be controversial as the C7 but like the C7 most will adapt to it and come to love it when they see the performance numbers. With IRS and 200 pounds less weight it will put down some great numbers.

    Now the next gen Camaro has much more for the Mustang to worry about coming. It will lose even more weight and be based on the very refined Alpha. The time and money already invested in the Alpha will pay off with a better Chevy than if they had just done it on their own. The Impala is a perfect example of the hand me down improvements that Cadillac put into the platform for the XTS.

    We know Dan Akerson is a big supporter of the Camaro so they should not have had many issues getting what they need or want. We will see a car that will more than match the Mustang.

    Now as with the Mustang the Camaro is going global. It will be a more modern design but will still look like a Camaro. Again we will see complaints by the old school but in the end most will adapt like they always do. Generally 50% hate 50% love and a few months later 80% love it.

    As for the Pony car thing many need to let it go as we have not had a true Pony car in years. With the Camaro at 2 tons it is anything but a pony car. Now today these cars have evolved into a true sports coupe and should be treated as such. They are no longer the light, low buck , stripped down performance car. These are cars if done properly can do a lot of damage to many of the bigger names in the sport coupe segment.

    Ford may win the first or second inning here but GM will take the game in the end. They really only need to make sure they have the 6th gen ready by 2016 as a 17 model as not to get too far behind as they did in 67.

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  7. May be not on all cylinders all the time. I expect a boost in MPG with cylinder deactivation in the new LT engine.

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  8. People have shown that they love squared off, aggressive muscle car. So Ford decided to make a round Mustang that looks like a Fusion. Ya, that’s wicked smart. It looks worse then the 90s models!

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  9. I agree with ya Bryan. That was the first thing that came to mind, a Fusion coupe or a Taurus with its big blocky front end. Camaro still rules ’cause this things uglier than sin.

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  10. I’m really not a fan of how this car looks. The performance will probably be pretty good. And lets not kid ourselves, it will probably outsell the current Camaro because every moderately wealthy Mustang fan will be running to their Ford dealership to get one. This thing just makes me want to see the next Camaro THAT much more. We all know, the real fight begins it comes out, and I dont think anyone at Ford is going to like how it turns out.

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  12. Ford keeps trying, Ford uses top of the line engines and tech while chevy uses hand me downs from the corvette! Ford really thinks it’s competing with chevy head to head!

    Imagine how bad the Mustang would look if GM used the top of line stuff on the camaro!

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  13. I really think the front looks okay… but the rest is just horrid……. it just seems like this is more of a size of BRZ/FRS/GT86…. The interior is crumpled with loads of buttons and they have to place the engine start/stop button in the middle of those buttons… not a wise move there ford

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  14. The Mustang has a bold approach, but it may backfire somewhat. With less weight, it will gain a bit of speed and a lot nimble handling, a!long with better fuel economy that is necessary going forward.

    The next gen Camaro has to lose as much of that huge bulk as it can to get closer to the next mustang’s weight than in the current matchup. It needs to lose at least 400 lbs., and it sounds like it should be doable. Generally speaking, the styling needs to be much more modern, but still look like a camaro. Not an easy task. I wonder if there will be a 10-speed auto ready for it by its debut in presumably 2016?? And of course I am aware that the transmission would first debut in a Cadillac, and maybe spread to the pickups next. Hmm, it sounds less likely for the camaro as I write this.

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  15. Well generally those who hate change and the Mustang will find this car ugly that is just the nature of the segment.

    But Ford pushed it and should be ok as it has enough global to be seen as a true sports coupe in any market while it is not going to be mistaken for anything but a Mustang. That is the key elements they needed to hit. Once the numbers roll in and sales take off many will be all over it.

    Might note we had many who said the same thing on the present Camaro too and in time they all either converted or shut up and the same will apply here.

    Change is never easy and in this segment if you can make 50% happy you have done your job as the rest let the car grow on them and in the end you gather most of them back too. There will always be a few hold outs but they are generally few and do not affect sales.

    The present Camaro is 4000 pounds average and I see it losing at the least 500 pounds on the Alpha. As for performance the CTS is a good hint to what we will see less the magnetic ride on the standard Camaro. I would not be surprised to see it on the up scale versions. As for the tranny they all will get the new one but it is just running behind. Keep in mind it is being done with Ford so we should see a similar tranny in each car with just the tweeks each company needs for their own use.

    The weight loss for both car will be dramatic and even more so in the Camaro. Most people think more HP is the only way to add performance but less mass adds things more power can never add. Handling and braking are much more improved and should prove to be a great enhancement.

    One thing to never do to the Mustang here is underestimate it or Ford. This car will be a good performer on and off the track for Ford. But then do not underestimate GM as this time around they have a proper chassis and support of management like they have not seen in years. The Z/28 is proof of the backing they enjoy today. So I expect the Camaro should have little trouble challenging this car not just here but globally.

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  16. Anyone who doe not see the Mustang as a threat is blind and does not understand that cheap performance sells and the Mustang is posed to try and recapture some of its past perfromance glories. Sure GM is heads and shoulders above Ford in every category, and the z28 is magnificent but the cost prices the majority of potential owners out of the market, even if you could get your hands on one. And those looking for cheap speed in an American product may turn to Ford as the alternative.
    The Camaro / Mustang rivalry goes back almost as far as the Corvette / Porsche wars. You can bet the Camaro / Mustang battles are going to be the subject of countless articles in the car magazines and they are going to have a great time comparing them in side by side battles where they will give the nod to Camaro (but only by a point or two). To those readers looking for a bargain boulevard blaster will look closely at the Mustang. Hopefully they have enough sense to buy the better car, the Camaro, but when it comes to money loyalty and good sense often get set aside.
    So should GM consider the Mustang a threat – absolutely!

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  17. I have driven both a Camaro and a Mustang, and I still favor the Camaro. GM will not lose sales of the Camaro over this new Mustang. Besides, GM has a new small sportscar on sale: the 2014 Chevy SS. That is the real competition against the Pony Cars!

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  18. Uhhh the SS Sedan is not a small car

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  19. the mustang doesn’t look as good as it could, advantage camaro, yes it will probably outsell the camaro at first, but after seeing this mustang it won’t be hard to beat the looks and performance when the next gen (ats) comes out, can’t wait to see some spy shots of the next gen

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  20. Manoli… you, and Alex, have got to be experts when it comes to knowing, that a picture of a car can be much different, than when you actually see it in person… but if this picture of the Mustang is accurate… Camaro lovers have no need to worry.

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  21. Not going to lie… I think I like it…

    ,,, LETTHEBOOBIRDSFLY!!

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  22. Did Barry Bonds start driving a Fusion???

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  23. Repulsive! What was Ford thinking! Oh wait never mind, Ford can’t think right anyways. . .

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  24. You have to first respect the Mustang as they will produce a good car. Also you have to consider there are as many die hard Mustang fans that will buy this hell or high water.

    Also the better this car is the better the Camaro will have to be as GM will not just let them go unanswered.

    It is time to stop this petty teenage like your car sucks kind of rhetoric and just let this play out.

    In the end GM and the Camaro has a better program put together and strong management support so they will get the tools and parts they need to take the class back when the new car arrives. For now let the Mustang have the spot light as it will only last a year to year and a half.

    In the end the lap times and quarter mile times will speak to who owns the class. While I may have a bias I suspect the bow tie will prevail just based on what I have seen and experienced in the Alpha I have drive already. These are true world class platforms.

    By the way do not underestimate the Fusion styling as they are selling a hell of a lot of them so someone must like them.

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    1. I am not a teenager (unless you are referring it to acting like a teenager), I am 23 and will be 24 in March! I simply said that it was repulsive. I am not jealous, it looks like a Ford Fusion (which also in my opinion is hideous). They might sell a ton of them, who knows! One thing for sure, is that I will not be one of them. I am not being petty, no one even owns the damn car yet (except Ford) so how in the world can I say that “your car sucks”? Why don’t you explain that to me, because I just do not get it.

      Sales don’t mean they look good. Heck, look at the Camry! That thing has got to be the ugliest sedan with the most fake and wretched personality ever and they sell like Hershey’s at a candy store. . .

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  25. I’m just gonna say this….. this is mustang just looks like a 2-door Fusion thats RWD and thats a bad sign….

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  26. Looks of the car are the least importance to me, what’s under the hood is what I care about the most!

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  27. You has better pull the belts tight as the next SS sedan will have more in common with the next Camaro too. At least it will be RWD too.

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  28. Even this is a time to be a little more mature and just let Ford have their 15 min in the spot light.

    You have been around here enough to know what is coming and what to expect. The Mustang will be a good car and many folks will like it no matter how you feel. But in the end GM will eat Fords lunch. If you need examples just look at the Z/28 as Ford never saw that coming.

    Chevy also did it to the Viper as the new Viper had a short time in the spot light and the new C7 has made the media and nearly everyone else forget about it.

    Show some confidence here and know our time is coming soon.

    There is no need for a bunch of cheap chatter.

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    1. I didn’t say it was a horrible car, I said it was ugly! Yes, ugliness does contribute to an ugly car. But we haven’t test driven one yet, so we don’t know how fast it will get up to speed or how comfortable it is. I’ve also already said that other people may like this car and I am pretty sure I got the message through to you that I don’t! (unless you have horrible eye sight). I certainly do not care if Ford gets their “15 minutes of fame”, because I too know that GM will come up with an even better Camaro. Hey, at least Ford is an American brand and not some other cheap foreign crap. . . .

      Why don’t I be mature? Really? Why don’t you just grow a pair Scotty McCreery!

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      1. Why don’t I just bring all of you to MMA training with me to see who really has a pair. Enough. Let’s keep things constructive.

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  29. TRAITOR!!!

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  30. This is a case of where trash talk really does little. They built a good car and I am sure even most on the GM team would say the same. But they also know what cards they are holding and know they need and will do better.

    Ford will get the new car bounce here and never underestimate the folks who are Mustang fans. Lets face it the Mustang has always been a hand me down car built on a Falcon platform all the way up to a Fairmont Fox platform and has always sold well. Even back in the day when the trunk floor was the top of the gas tank they still bought them. This version is the most complete package Ford has offered so it will be a good car to say anything else is foolish.

    Now on the other hand with what I know already about the new Camaro there should be no problem beating them with the 6th gen. The only thing in question is the styling and even there it is going to be a split no matter what they do. I know and have confidence GM will do what is right.

    So I will sit back and watch as the minions clamor how good or bad the Mustang is and then enjoy the face off with the 6th gen. I have confidence in people like Oppenheiser and Stielow to tune this car to perfection.

    They did good but we will in the end have the better car when it arrives.

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  31. I got nailed on Alligator Alley, (in the middle of the night), in a black rental Stang 5.0, by one of Florida’s finest, in the early 80s. I was doing 145-150… With his headlights off, he caught up with me in Mustang 5.0.

    He approached the car, in a crouch, with his hand on a cannon of a pistol. After checking the cars plate, and my Michigan license, he realized, that we were on vacation. After hearing my obvious lie of diarhhia, and handing me a speeding ticket, he let us go. I never paid the ticket. It would surprise me if the ticket is still on their records, as it was issued way back in BC… before computer’s.

    The next day, the motel manager told me I was speeding on a highway, that cargo airplanes were landing on Alligator Alley, loaded with cocaine, and left on the airplanes on the highway after unloading their smuggled drugs.

    Since then, I have always had a warm place in my heart for Mustang 5.0s no matter what they look like. Maybe I should try the same thing in a rental Camaro Z.

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  32. The number of die-hard Camaro and Mustang fans in the US are pretty much equal. It’s the people who sit on the fence that will swing things in one direction or the other. These people probably have no clue that Ford and Chevrolet are not built by the same parent company (seriously…they do exist) and only see them as “American” cars that may or may not appeal to them. They probably don’t know or care that the cars are rear wheel drive and that they will be sold in right hand drive markets and will be smaller cars than they were in their current generations. They just like how the car looks and want it. International customers do not see either car in the same way. They are all pretty much sitting on the fence. Ford and Chevrolet will have to work HARD. They will be thrown up against the very best. Most international customers will demand a certain level of “behaviour” from a car that is not particularly practical, what with 2 doors, barely a back seat, and engines that if too large may have tax and/or fuel penalties. This is why this Mustang and the next Camaro will “depart” what are traditional “Pony car” proportions to some degree. They will have to be so many things for so many different people. Striking that balance is what will sway the fence-sitters, whether they reside in the US or the rest of the World.

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  33. The 5TH Gen Camaro has instant-classic head-turning styling. Vintage cues but highly imaginative and modern.

    The new Mustang is freshened but doesn’t have any emotional reach to it. It’s no significant threat to Camaro’s dominant appeal.

    The big concern for the Camaro camp is whether the 6th gen Camaro will be able to repeat and maintain the “big splash” of the 5th Gen’s legacy.

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  34. Are you guys forgetting dodges new Barracuda set to arrive around the same time? Its new 6.2 supercharged engine and lighter frame is sure to get all u camaro/rustang fans wantin to buy a hemi.. And seeing as is suppose to replace the challenger (the only real classic muscle looking car) i expect a mean old school look that no other company will come close to

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  35. Aside from a retro look, the Challenger isn’t really delivering much else (except more nostalgia with the “Hemi” moniker) which explains it’s modest sales volume and lack of significant attention in the Camaro vs Mustang smackdown.

    I’ll bet the Barracuda will generate some excitement, but Chrysler doesn’t really “get” the whole package. The real contenders are able to check more than one box.

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  36. T Johnson,
    I do think lower curb weight and smaller proportions would help the barracuda over the current challenger. The current car is way too big to think of as anything other than a cruiser, and maybe for a straight ahead drag race. But, you talk about the styling as a positive. Some if us have been very disappointed by the fact that all dodge could do was have an old challenger on hand and copy it. But I guess being completely stuck in the past seems to be what challenger buyers were looking for.

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  37. Your right about the weight because thats the only thing saving chevy and ford from getting embarassed.. They still have the biggest baddest 6.4 hemi.. And to say that “dodge doesnt get the whole package” is kind of funny considering they have a four door sedan that would put the majority of the other cars on the road to shame..The cuda is set to lose a minimum of 3-400 lbs and while that doesnt seem like much they are also aiming for 600+ horse so either way it should be interesting

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  38. This new upcoming mustang is nothing but a big time joke.

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  39. I like it. Gotta be honest. And if I can’t get a good deal on this Chevy SS, it’ll probably be my next car. IJS…

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  40. The 2015 Mustang is a breath of fresh air. Finally no more stupid retro! There’s nothing wrong with using subtle styling cues from the past, but when I look at cars like the Challenger and Camaro I say to myself, “what were they thinking?!” The Challenger looks like its from the jurassic period and the current Camaro is just plain odd. I never cared for the 2005 to 2014 Mustang that much either, but the 2015 Mustang is a forward thinking design that’s surely a step in the right direction. I did test drive a 2012 Mustang GT and aside from a stupid fast engine I found the car to be rather bland in all other categories. The worst part was the sea of hard plastics, terrible ergonomics and uncomfortable seats. Hopefully Ford ditched the vast expanses of hard ABS plastics in the 2015 Mustang and improved the seat comfort. Hopefully Chevrolet will abandon the unattractive retro theme on the next Camaro. And that Dodge will transform the Challenger from its current ungainly brick-like from to a smaller, sleek, modern, attractive performance car that will shed its ancient LX underpinnings.

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  41. Ugly camaro! We have people today walking into schools killing kids but for some reason guys like this continue to walk the streets with nonsense coming from his month!

    Their are plenty of people who think the camaro is anything but ugly! It’s the best looking pony car on the market!

    If you want to talk performance the camaro uses detuned engines from the corvette. I’m not sure you could compete with the camaro if GM used top of the line power rating for the camaro which is reserved for the corvette!

    This plastic argument! What do you expect car manufacturer’s to use when making a interior?

    Lastly the seat do you expect to be sitting in a lazy boy recliner? You do realize you are driving a performance car?

    Yfdakt!

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  42. I have a 2013 mustang gt and love it but think the new one is a beautiful car beauty and a beast, nice combo !! and do not like the other one from gm.

    Reply

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