Network
This Sunday on the Smithsonian Channel, the show Supercar Superbuild details the development of the 50th Anniversary Mustang. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)
When you think about the Smithsonian, you imagine the halls of its storied museums, but there is also the Smithsonian Channel on television. It brings those same subjects of air, space, history, nature, pop culture and science to life. A show that tackles several of these areas is Supercar Superbuilds, which goes behind the scenes of the creation of some of the fastest cars around. This weekend the show looks back at the story of the 2015 Mustang.
Launching a new Mustang is always a massive undertaking, but creating one that would speak to new customers, loyal customers and a global audience really put the pressure on. A new episode of Supercar Superbuilds details that process. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)
“The series goes behind the inherent beauty, amazing mechanical prowess, and basic building process of some of the world’s leading luxury automakers as they attempt to produce what they hope is their next iconic car. The new episodes focus on the Pagani, Mustang, Viper and Porsche,” says the Smithsonian channel. “They’re rare. They’re beautiful. They’re expensive. They not only push the performance envelope, they rip it wide open. Yet every supercar shares one thing in common: they all have a unique story to tell. There is often high-stakes pressure, impossible deadlines, secret meetings, remarkable engineering challenges, and, of course, dynamic styling.”
Ford made wide use of computer modeling to create every aspect of the 2015 Mustang, including its revised 5.0-liter engine. See how it all came together on Supercar Superbuilds, which airs this Sunday a 9 p.m. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)
When it came to detailing the story of the 2015 Mustang, the show focuses on the challenges and pressures associated with reinventing such an iconic vehicle.
The rush is on to build the most important Mustang ever—a 50th Anniversary machine intended to go global for the very first time
As has been well documented in the press and on the movie screen, the development of the 2015 Mustang shepherded by its Chief Engineer Dave Pericak (current Director, Ford Performance) marked a crucial stage in the Mustang’s history. Ford looked to not only appeal to younger buyers, but build a Mustang that would be accepted across the globe.
Ford successfully created a Mustang that would appeal to its traditional US customers as well as markets across the world. Thanks it styling and a revised suspension featuring a double-ball joint front suspension and an independent rear suspension. (Photo Credit: Smithsonian Channel)
The world has been ready for us. They wanted Mustang for a long time. The world is watching this car
As we now know, Ford’s Mustang team was quite successful in moving the Pony car forward for a new generation of global buyers, but as we start to eye the next iteration of the Mustang in 2018, it’s a great time to look back at what went into the successful launch of the S550.
The show debuts on the Smithsonian Channel Sunday, November 6 at 9 p.m.
Look back at all that went into creating the 2015 Mustang this Sunday on the Smithsonian Channel’s Supercar Superbuild. (Photo Credit: Smithsonian Channel)
