When Ford->ke31 revealed the Mustang->ke428 on December 5th, 2014, it took what it has built in recent years and did the impossible: make it better. The new, European styling is not as over-the-top as I feared it may be and it only added to the model's outstanding legacy.

Well, now we all get to drool over the topless version, which is sure to ruin the lives of toupee wearers around the globe.

The details are still not complete on the 2015 Mustang Convertible, much like its coupe->ke141 brother, but we are able to piece things together using the details from the coupe, the limited information on the convertible and the few image that Ford released.

One thing is for sure; Ford did a good job in designing the convertible->ke144 Mustang separate from the coupe, giving them distinct appearances that reminds me of the Fox Body years.

Click past the jump to read all about the 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible and let me know what you think of it in the comments.

2015 Ford Mustang Convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 300
  • Torque: 270
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

So often convertible versions of cars involve little more than hacking off the top and making the necessary modifications to fit the soft top. The 2015 Mustang, however, is not your normal convertible. Ford actually developed the coupe and convertible versions separately from the ground up. This leads to some distinct design differences between the two.

Ford straightened and lifted the rear body lines on the haunches and restyled the trunk lid to give the convertible `Stang a more straight-line look.For those who remember the 1980s, these differences hark back to the differences between the Fox Body Mustang hatchback and convertible models. Like the Fox Body models, fastback and convertible models have the same front ends.

As for the soft-top roof, Ford says that it'll be a full-fabric unit atop a five-bow frame. Between the fabric outside and full headliner inside is a 10-mm (0.39-inch) insulation pad to keep the chill out in the winter and keep the cabin nice and quiet. When you drop the top, it rests 6.7 inches lower than last year's model at its highest point, meaning it looks sleeker and reduces drag.

Speaking of dropping the top, this process is now streamlined with a single, center-mounted latch that unlocks quickly. Then at the press of a button, the top folds down in about half the time of last year's model -- talk about a win-win.

2015 Mustang Convertible vs Coupe

2015 Ford Mustang Convertible - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

107.1 inches

Length

188.3 inches

Width

75.4 inches

Height

54.4 inches


Interior

Ford didn't dive too far into the 2015 Mustang Convertible's interior, but we assume it'll get the same aviation-inspired look and feature the retro steering wheel. What's more, the independent suspension will help widen out the rear seats, which is always a problem area in convertibles.

One other big interior improvement that owes a lot to the revised rear suspension is the truck capacity. The 2015 Mustang Convertible's trunk is 19 percent larger than last year's model, giving it 11.4 cubic feet of space.

Drivetrain

Like the interior, Ford failed to reveal anything about the drivetrain that the 2015 Mustang Convertible will use. I think it's safe to assume that it'll have the same trio of engines as the coupe version. This means that the base Mustang Convertible will come with a 3.7-liter V-6 that pushes out more than 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of twist; the EcoBoost model will feature a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with more than 305 horsepower and 300 pound-feet; and the GT model will carry a 5.0-liter V-8 that's good for more than 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet.

The Mustang Convertible will also likely inherit the upgraded Getrag manual transmission and optional automatic transmission with paddle shifters from the coupe model.

Model

Base

EcoBoost

GT

Type

3.7-Liter V-6

2.3-Liter I-4 Turbocharged

5.0-Liter V-8

Horsepower

>300

>305

>420

Torque (LB-FT)

>270

>300

>390


Suspension

Under its skin, the 2015 Mustang Convertible will get the same, new independent suspension as the coupe variant. In addition to the more refined suspension, the convertible's body is 13 percent more rigid than the outgoing model, thanks to high-strength steel, helping increase its handling credentials even more.

Prices

Prices are not yet available, but we should learn them in the upcoming months.

2015 Ford Mustang Convertible -- Pricing

Trim

Base

EcoBoost

GT

MSRP

$TBA

$TBA

$TBA


Competition

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The Camaro Convertible is a prime example of simply hacking off the top and making the necessary adjustments to make it all work. And like most convertibles that are made in this manner, the Camaro loses a little something with the top up.

Under its hood, the Camaro has a 3.6-liter V-6 powering its base model with 323 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. In the SS version, the Camaro convertible gets a 6.2-liter V-8 with 426 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan 370Z Roadster

Sure, you lose a pair of seats, but who really uses the rear seats in a Mustang anyways? The 370Z comes packing a 3.7-liter V-6 that wallops tarmac with 332 ponies and 270 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to get it to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, which can easily hang with the V-6-powered Mustang Convertible, but not the GT.

The 370Z does, however, look just right with a soft-top, so it will give the Mustang a run for its money in looks. Plus, the Z is a monster in the corners, so I suspect it'll outhandle the Mustang any day of the week.

Conclusion

We all knew that a convertible Mustang was coming in 2015, and we even saw it shortly after the coupe model debuted. Ford did, however, cover its tracks on the convertible model until its reveal recently. I am sure there will be an even grander reveal in the coming months, but at least we got a few more details on it.