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Working in an office full of gearheads, all sorts of armchair-quarterbacking takes place, and all sorts of propositions are thrown out for what automakers should do. Right now, we're all humbled by the current state of affairs and, more than anything, hope for mere survival, with the glimmer of hope that we might start seeing enthusiast goodies somewhere down the road.
But we enthusiasts may have to come to terms with the new reality and realize the days of two-plus ton musclecars with thumping V-8s may soon be historic icons. We're going to have to learn to be content with turbocharging, direct injection, diesels, and (gasp!) yes, even hybrids.
Noodling around some of these concepts in my head, I proposed that now would be the perfect time to re-introduce a modern-day Ford Mustang SVO. You know, the four-cylinder turbocharged oddball back in the '80s that rivaled its V-8 powered brethren with half the cylinders and displacement. But here's my modern-day formula for a revived high-tech pony car: A 2.5 liter, 300 horsepower, direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual transmission with close-ratio 1-5 gears, with a tall sixth for highway cruising and fuel economy. All this with a benchmark of 30 highway miles per gallon, and for just under $30,000.
I believe with some careful engineering and weight management, you could get the Mustang down to around 3,200-3,300 pounds. Current weight on the V-6 manual is about 3,400. Replace a few strategic components with high-strength steel, aluminum, or composites. Nothing too exotic. Remember, we've got to stick to the $30k budget. Do some micro-finishing on the engine and drivetrain components to reduce friction further.
I would offer the car in three basic packages - Track, Street and Premium. Coupe only, no convertible. The Track model would be bare-bones, made for autocrossers or road-racers. No radio, no A/C, crank windows. Heck, maybe even no backseat. The Street package would add a choice of radios, A/C, power windows, and a backseat. You know, just enough to make it tolerable as a daily driver. The Premium package would add Microsoft SYNC as standard, an optional nav system, and maybe an optional moonroof, even though in keeping with the purposeful, lightweight mission of the car, my vote would be not to offer one, but assuming the overall weight could be kept in check, what the heck. Power seats would not be offered on any package. Unnecessary weight and complexity.
I concede that this would be a niche model, and not to everyone's taste. I'm not saying replace the Mustang GT or convertible, but as simply a line addition to appeal to the purists that yearn for a purposeful, efficient, fun-to-drive sports car.
But more than anything, whether it's applied to the Mustang or any other model, I propose that manufacturers should benchmark the "300/30/30" formula: 300 horsepower, 30 highway miles per gallon, under $30,000. In whatever form it takes, front-drive, rear-drive, all-wheel drive, I'd say that basic recipe would make for one tempting enthusiast treat. Who will be first to build a 300/30/30 car?
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