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Ford Mustang rides again as fresh take off the '60s classic
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SUNLAND, Calif. -- The car chase occurs in San Fernando Valley's multi-lane sprawl following a wheel-squealing romp through the San Gabriel Mountains in a fresh-from-the-factory Mustang GT.
This new version, representing the first tire-to-top re-make of Ford's classic pony car since 1979, still looks unmistakably like a Mustang with that classic stretched hood and stubby tail, yet it's a sleek contemporary treatment with muscular body bulges and big wheels.
It apparently stands out on Foothill Boulevard because a red Mustang coupe of 1994 vintage sticks tight on our tail as we mind our traffic manners, despite the potential of 300 horses hitched beneath that exaggerated hood.
We change lanes, and the pursuit 'Stang changes lanes.
We zip ahead, and it follows in our shadow.
Finally, a stoplight catches us -- and the chase car pulls beside us. Windows come down and the twenty-something driver, with hair tipped blonde by the California sun, hangs his head out the window to announce the obvious.
"Dude," he exclaims. "You're driving the new Mustang!"
It's a hot ride, we reply.
And, we should add, it's by far the best ever to flash that galloping chrome pony on a honeycomb grille.
Mustang tracks back decades in the history of Ford Motor Company to the original Mustang notchback coupe, which debuted in 1964 to set a generation on edge with envy.
Many iterations followed, from the first variation with Mustang Fastback of 1965 and a powerful 1968 GT to such muscle machines as the Boss 302 of 1970, 1984's Mustang SVO and a Cobra in 1993. The 2004 models -- including coupe and convertible variations in base V6 and V8 GT trim plus a powerful SVT Cobra -- trace to a revival of Mustang in 1994 built off Ford's Fox platform.
But the latest Mustang story for 2005 concerns the rebirth of Ford's pony car.
Designers began anew, striving to capture styling flavors of the original model but also produce a new car possessing the slick technology of modern automobiles and the sporty finesse of a Euro-style touring machine.
Mustang's platform is new with the wheelbase stretched six inches longer. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis carries an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a three-link live axle in back with Panhard rod.
It measures more than 30 percent stiffer than the previous platform and forges a new standard for nimble handling by a made-in-America car.
Exterior styling looks fresh and clean although familiar Mustang signatures have been retained -- the C-scoops on flanks, tri-part lamps on the tail and a shark's pointed nose with round headlamps.
And note innovations of a modern design with round fender flares, the chiseled fascia up front blending to the body color, and those glass triangles for windows cut into the fastback pillars.
Mustang's cockpit also scores a make-over in quarters greatly expanded due to the wheelbase stretch.
Layout is classic to Mustang with dual seat positions marked by symmetrical instrument panels on a horizontal dashboard with square-arching brows.
There are form-fitting buckets up front and a carved-out jump seat in back with fold-down seatback.
New accessories help trim the cabin retro-style, such as chrome gauge rings and aluminum trim panels, while an optional color-configured instrument cluster brings 125 color choices for backlighting of dashboard instruments.
A padded armrest mounts atop the console storage container, just the spot to park your elbow between shifting chores. Side pockets in sculptured door panels add additional storage spaces up front.
Issues of personal safety in the new Mustang are addressed with strong structural elements and energy-absorbing crush zones front and rear plus a variety of active and passive safety systems aboard.
All versions contain dual-stage frontal air bags for front riders with smart sensors in place to track the severity of a frontal crash along with the driver's seat position in proximity to the steering wheel and whether seat belts are being used.
Side-impact air bags for front seats are optional.
Equipment promoting active safety includes a fast rack and pinion steering mechanism and four-wheel disc brakes tied to an optional anti-lock brake system (ABS) with traction control system (TCS).
Ford builds the new Mustang in two versions characterized by engine size.
Mustang V6, the price leader and volume model, stocks a V6 engine while the Mustang GT pulls from a powerful V8.
Standard is a new single-cam aluminum-block V6 displacing 4.0 liters and pumping 210 hp at 5250 rpm with torque of 240 lb-ft at 3500 rpm.
Mustang GT carries a reworked 4.6-liter aluminum V8 with electronic throttle control and variable camshaft.
It rips to the heady mark of 300 hp at 5750 rpm and pushes the torque out to 320 lb-ft at 4500 rpm.
The V8 links to a Tremec 3650 five-speed manual gearbox, while the V6 uses a Tremec T5.
Optional for either plant is a five-speed automatic using Ford's 5R55S transmission, which shifts cleanly and quietly as directed from a console-mounted stick.
Model designations for Mustang divide further by trim packages -- Deluxe and Premium.
Mustang V6 Deluxe gets the V6 engine and five-speed manual shifter, stainless steel single exhaust and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels plus cabin equipment like power windows and door locks, dual power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning and a stereo kit with CD deck.
Mustang V6 Premium adds machined aluminum wheels with chrome spinners, six-way power for the driver's seat, leather seat surfaces and a Shaker 500 audio system with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability.
Mustang GT Deluxe upgrades to the V8 with ABS and TCS, twin exhausts, dual foglamps and a rear spoiler, 17-inch aluminum wheels and cloth seat upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Mustang GT Premium gets the Shaker 500 audio with a six-disc CD deck and sport bucket seats covered in leather.
And Mustang's MSRP drops as low as $19,410 for a V6 Deluxe or $24,995 on the GT Deluxe.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2005 FORD MUSTANG Specs |
| Description: |
Sport performance 2+2 coupe |
| Model Options: |
Sport performance 2+2 coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
V6: 107.1 inches, GT: 107.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
V6: 187.6 inches, GT: 188.0 inches |
| Engine Size: |
V6: SOHC 4.0-L V6, GT: SOHC 4.6-L V8 |
| Transmission: |
V6: Manual/5 Tremec T5 Auto/5 5R55S, GT: Manual/5 Tremec 3650 Auto/5 5R55S |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc, V6: opt. ABS/TCS, GT: ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) plus opt. 2 (side) |
| Gas Mileage: |
V6 M/5: 19/28 mpg, V6 A/5: 19/25 mpg, V8 M/5: 17/25 mpg, V8 A/5: 18/23 mpg |
| Price: |
V6: $19,410 Deluxe, $19,995 Premium, GT: $24,995 Deluxe, $26,330 Premium |
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