WILL FORD RUIN THE MUSTANG FOR MY 2014?

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Ford Motor Company honcho Alan Mulally's general comments about no more one-market platforms and the crushing burden of 35+ m.p.g. Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations have unleashed a torrent of speculation about the future of Ford's iconic RWD ponycar.

The clueless bean-counters and other appliance motoring bureaucrats infecting FoMoCo's Glass House simply do not understand why Ford should keep building a V8-optional RWD beam-axle bruiser. In the same penny-pinching vein as the failed plot to defile Mustang's heritage with a Mazda-engineered FWD in the mid-1980s (i.e. the Ford Probe), these corporate pathogens apparently have renewed their campaign to slap "Mustang" on some mainstream, FWD-based "world" platform.

In contrast, most Mustang owners can't imagine that Ford would not keep the Mustang pure to its roots as an inexpensive, easily modifiable, robust RWD V8.

Apparently someone privy to the epic Battle for the Soul of Mustang spilled some rank speculation to Motor Trend magazine about the options currently on the table:

Ford planners are reportedly looking at three possible directions for the 2014 Mustang. The first -- and perhaps the easiest -- is an evolution of the current car, with styling cues that would appeal to the traditionalist, and a continued focus on the 5.0-liter V-8 as the halo engine [THE ONLY LEGITIMATE OPTION]. The second is more of an M3-style car, probably with turbocharged V-6 power for markets like Europe [HUGE MISTAKE]. The third - and probably the least likely, says our source - is to transform the Mustang into an ultra-high tech, ultra-high performance coupe along the lines of Nissan's giant-killing GT-R [EVEN BIGGER MISTAKE].

Motor Trend's source claims that the 2014 'Stang will likely be afflicted with a heavier, weaker, more complex, more expensive independent rear suspension.

These are troubling developments. Are we facing a return to shameful eras of the gelded, V8-less "PintoStang" (1974 Mustang II) or the universally-hated "ProbeStang?"

Discussion of this "leak" over at Bangshift.com has been universally negative.

If Ford kills either RWD or V8s, there's simply no reason to keep building a Mustang. They might as well slap "Mustang" badges on a Fiesta!

And Ford should maintain a rugged beam rear axle as at least an option for those who plan to use their Mustangs in drag racing and other motorsports.

Unless Ford choses to build an evolution of the current car, MY 2014 could be a grim time indeed for buyers of Ford Peformance Vehicles.