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2005 Ford Mustang: Preview
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| Gallop |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 243 ( -34 -13.99% ) | | Author | Brian Chee |
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Description:
2005 Ford Mustang Preview
Gallop
Writer's Notes
Vehicle
2005 Ford Mustang
MSRP: under $20,000
Standard Equipment
Standard power windows on all models with driver and passenger one-touch up (a new feature for 2005) and down
Power exterior mirrors on all models
Power locking system with remote keyless entry, panic alarm and a key fob trunk release
Auto locking on automatic-equipped models
Heated rear window on all models
Interval wipers on all models
Fog lamps on GT
Speed control
On the eve of its 40th anniversary, a new Mustang has emerged from the Ford Garage, galloping into the present in time to give Ford an icon on which to sell the redesigned 2005 Ford Focus and new Ford Five Hundred.
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There was a time, once, when it symbolized everything Americans loved about their cars. Powerful. Fast looking, with a tough stance. Practical enough to be convenient, and impractical enough to be fun. Affordable. It could gallop like a horse and a regular guy could afford one.
It was the people's icon of American car culture.
Was. It's a bitter, lonely word. And at some point, people started connecting it to the Mustang. While Ford executives will point to the sales figures (140,000 last year) as proof that the Mustang has always been a great seller with a strong following, there was, nonetheless, a fading love for the car that has been a part of the American highway landscape for 40 years.
The Mustang simply stopped conjuring visions of the open road.
It comes conjuring back this year. On the eve of its 40th anniversary, a new Mustang has emerged from the Ford Garage, galloping into the present in time to give Ford an icon on which to sell the redesigned 2005 Ford Focus and new Ford Five Hundred.
The Mustang will do the trick, if it drives like it looks. Designed after classic pony cars of the 1960s, the fastback roofline and trapezoidal rear windows echo 1965-66 Shelby Mustangs, and up front, the shark-like headlamps and grille suggest 1967-68 ponies. It is an inspired design that echoes glory days of the past in a contemporary design that will not feel out of place on the road.
It's simple. People need a reason to get excited about Ford cars again.
When it arrives this fall, the Mustang will do the trick -- if it drives like it looks. And all indications are that it will meet the standard of a design that wowed journalists as a concept last year. Designed after classic pony cars of the 1960s, the fastback roofline and trapezoidal rear windows echo 1965-66 Shelby Mustangs, and up front, the shark-like headlamps and grille suggest 1967-68 ponies. It is an inspired design that echoes glory days of the past in a contemporary design that will not feel out of place on the road. It's not a classic car - it's the remaking of a classic. And if it handles with the same inspiration of its design, the Mustang will likely bring back the passion and the unadulterated fun of a good rear-wheel kick in the pants.
"If the F-150 is our heart, the Mustang is our soul, and draws the most passion," said Keith Knudsen, '05 Mustang vehicle engineering supervisor. "One of the great things about working on a car like Mustang, we have a lot of enthusiasts. I think the ratio was 2.1 Mustangs per engineer in my department." This enthusiasm plays a critical role, because, according to Knudsen, engineers totally immersed themselves in all things Mustang. "During the styling and development process, we had every picture you can imagine." We were focused on every aspect of the Mustang, from the interior to the exterior."
According to Knudsen, the most notable performance improvement will be the 4.0-liter 60-degree, single overhead cam V-6 engine that manages 202 horsepower. This replaces the current 3.8-liter 90-degree pushrod engine. "The V6 is a big step up. There's a little more power, and improvements in engine sound quality, power smoothness, and a bit more displacement," said Knudsen. "People will be surprised by just how well this car performs." According to Ford officials, that performance will come at a price of less than $20,000.
The Mustang will also be offered as a GT, which gets a new 4.6-liter V8 producing 300-horsepower. Both vehicles offer a choice of a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Officials have said that the GT’s pricing will be less than $25,000.
The most drastic improvement, however, may not be the engine or design -- but the interior. According to Knudsen, in fact, an extra inch of usable space has been added to front and back - the result of which is more legroom in the back and a more comfortable driving experience up front. "We really focused not just throwing money at parts, but in better execution of design," said Knudsen. "We used a different studio process, a smarter process. For example, we used this technology named opticore - which gave us a real-time model of the interior whenever we made changes."
"The interior is going to be a big surprise. It will really hook you in."
Interior improvements include three design themes, including a color-configurable (125 possibilities) instrument panel, prominent dual chrome-ringed gauges, and chrome-ringed air vents. The Interior Color Accent Package is charcoal with red leather seats, red door inserts and red floor mats. Ford also claims to have significantly improved sound dampening, which provides a quieter, more relaxed driving experience.
According to Knudsen, people will notice the difference in the interior materials, and the margins between elements. He cited work such as the increased space and the sculpted rear seats as items that will really stand out as improved. “For existing Mustang owners, I think they’ll appreciate the step up in the general level of refinement of the car, the execution and craftsmanship,” said Knudsen. “We’re moving from a 30 year-old platform.
If the overall execution and interior quality wasn't where it was supposed to be, we've raised the bar significantly now.” The new Mustang is built on a shortened version of the Lincoln LS platform, and will measure 107.1 inches in length, a full six inches longer than its predecessor.
With so much new, Knudsen feels confident that the Mustang character is still intact, and that people – whether they’ve owned a Mustang in the past or not – will appreciate just how fun it is to drive the vehicle. “Being on the inside, and having driven the car…you just want to keep on driving.”
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---Story by Brian Chee |
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