time to start the hate letters to ford

[Mr 5 0]

If the counter-statement from Ford that claims the Mustang will remain a "two-door, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 performance car" is true, then I'm good with that.

Of course, to be competitive, Ford has to try variants of SUV's, AWD sedans and so on. However, as long as these future vehicles are not marketed under the Mustang marque, who really cares?

That, generally, in any given model year, less than half of the Mustangs sold are V-8's is true, and has been for a long time. So what? The 'real' Mustanger knows what a Mustang is. Even the corporate spokesman seems to understand this when he used the phrase "performance car" to describe the Mustang. While the V-6 models are passable and tolerated by hardcore Mustang fans as necessry to keep the 'brand' marketable (and the Mustang affordable) most diehard 'Stangers want a V-8.

For perspective: in 1955, the then relatively 'new' Chevrolet Corvette came with the choice of a 6 cylinder or 195 HP V-8 engine for the first time. Chevrolet wisely produced only 700 '55 'Vettes. 693 had the V-8 engine. They knew their market. You might buy a '55 T-Bird for it's 'style' but you bought a Corvette for speed. Mustang owners may not be quite that hard-core, granted, but the 'real' Mustang aficionado (us) knows that a V-8, RWD Mustang is the 'real thing. Heck, even Ford corporate press hacks seem to know that.