Mustang Heaven - 2005 Ford Mustang

2005 Ford Mustang

All-New Ford Mustang Embodies American Muscle

The all-new, all-American 2005 Ford Mustang is a bold, clean and contemporary version of history’s most celebrated muscle car. Its design is rooted in an unmistakable heritage that gave birth to an icon and, more recently, unceremoniously nudged some of its traditional competitors into retirement.

The 2005 Mustang was spawned from the 2003 concept car that stole hearts along the auto show circuit and signaled that America’s only remaining muscle car would be reborn – this time with even more attitude.

"We weren’t just redesigning a car, we were adding another chapter to an epic," said J Mays, Ford group vice president, Design. "The new Mustang’s modern design speaks to its technical advancement – without losing the classic Mustang bad-boy image."

Icon with Attitude

The Mustang legend was made on the streets of America and cemented on the silver screen, where it has been the number-one car in starring roles since the 1960s. Through a mixture of tire smoke, growling V-8s and Hollywood stalwarts such as Steve McQueen in Bullitt and Nicolas Cage in Gone in 60 Seconds, Mustang has been forever entwined with American pop culture. Today, that connection is reiterated in everything from Sheryl Crow music videos to countless parades across America.

From a distance, there is no chance of mistaking the 2005’s muscular, honest silhouette for anything other than a Mustang.

The pairing of an all-new platform and clean-sheet approach to styling was central to the design team’s mission to create a Mustang boasting the "old school" swagger that personified cars of the late 1960s, but with the capability to carve out a new niche.

Designers wallpapered Ford studios with images of classic Mustangs and movie tough guys for inspiration.

Ford’s holistic approach to design – and a tripling of its investment in interiors – delivered a breakthrough Mustang cabin that stretches muscle-car definitions with its breadth of choices. In addition to three distinct interiors and an available authentic aluminum panel adorning the width of the dashboard, an available color-adjustable instrument cluster offers buyers almost limitless interior accent options.

"The new Mustang redefines expectations for muscle-car interiors much like the F-150 changed the game for pickups," said Mays. "We are helping Mustang owners create unique interiors to get the same adrenaline rush inside and outside the car."

40 Years of American Muscle, One Modern Classic

There is no mistaking the new Mustang as the latest evolution in a long line of intentionally bold, uniquely honest, purely American sports cars. Its signature long hood and short rear deck play on 40 years of history, as do classic design cues that have helped define Mustangs since the ’60s: C-scoops in the sides, three-element taillamps and a galloping horse badge in the center of the grille.

The Mustang’s shark-like nose with the forward-leaning grille gives it an attitude reminiscent of the 1967 model, while jeweled round headlamps in trapezoidal housings deliver a striking new design flair.

"The new Mustang is pure American muscle," said Mays. "But rest assured, we’re not insisting on history at the expense of our future."

Like all the best Mustangs, this one communicates motion even when it’s standing still. The all-new model features a close-coupled greenhouse, strong shoulders and aggressive flares, lending it a powerful stance.

The new car’s front wheels have been moved significantly forward, reducing the front overhang by 4.6 inches. This gives the 2005 Mustang a modern, unmistakably rear-wheel-drive look. Pushing the wheels to the corners results in a 6-inch wheelbase gain over the 2004 model and increased interior compartment width, which Ford package engineers used for increased driver and passenger room. Overall, it’s 4.4 inches longer, 1.4 inches taller and almost an inch wider than the 2004 model.

The exterior is best described as lovingly styled, with no unnecessary adornment. A sharp accent line runs the length of the body and culminates in a "C-scoop" design stamped into the sheet metal just behind the door cutline, creating a visual link with the C-pillar. The small window in the C-pillar is a modern departure – past Mustangs incorporated louvers or scoops.

The angled, hard-creased appearance of the C-scoops and their relationship to the door cut provide a look of precise technical integration. The theme is reinforced by a subtle body crease that runs through the filler cap door.

"Mustang is – and has always been – about emotion," said Larry Erickson, Mustang chief designer. "This car brings to life the design and performance people have come to expect from Mustang – with a level of engineering precision never before seen in muscle cars."

Two Versions, Both Authentic

The Mustang V-6 and GT models are clearly distinguished.

Out front, the V-8 Mustang GT has a more aggressive nose, with circular fog lamps in the black grille in line with the headlamps. The lower fascia is upright, with an "air dam" performance look.

The V-6 Mustang has a uniform egg-crate grille and a swept back lower fascia and incorporates horizontal vents.

Both grilles feature the classic galloping pony logo.

From the side, the Mustang GT looks more planted, low and aggressive, thanks to its body-color lower rocker panel extension.

Differences between the two models’ rear fascia panels are driven by performance considerations. The GT features semi-circular cutouts behind each wheel to accommodate the car’s large exhaust pipe tips. The GT also gets a raised spoiler on the decklid.

Both models boast tri-bar taillamps and a circular chrome Mustang badge centered in the rear face of the decklid. Edges of the large, chunky badge are knurled with generous, square-shouldered cutouts, adding to the car’s powerful, machined-billet image. On V-6 models, the Mustang pony logo is centered on a black field; GT versions get a special GT badge.

Exterior color choices include black, white, silver, red, burgundy, bright blue, dark blue, mineral gray, yellow and Mustang Legend Lime Gold. Many of these colors were inspired by classic Mustang hues, some with the same names.

Beefy Rolling Stock

Wheels and tires are important design elements on any muscle car – form follows function, after all. All wheels on the 2005 Mustang are aluminum and measure at least 16 inches in diameter.

The V-6 Mustang offers a choice of two 10-spoke wheels: a base version finished with bright silver metallic paint or an optional wheel with bright machined surfaces and a center three-spoke spinner ornament that carries the classic pony-and-bars logo. Mustang GTs sport 17-inch aluminum wheels in a classic five-spoke tapered "mag" style.

All models have wide, high-performance, all-season tires designed with more sidewall than many other sports cars to enhance the muscular look and provide a better match for this vehicle’s blend of power and handling.

"Out on the street, credibility often means having the sharpest wheels and best tires," said Hau Thai-Tang, chief nameplate engineer. "All the available wheels scream ‘muscle car.’"

Authentic Interior

Mustang looks every bit as good from behind the wheel, with a passenger compartment few would expect from a muscle car.

The modern interior pays homage to Mustang heritage with a symmetrical instrument panel and square-arched "eyebrows" on each side of the center stack, while the quality materials, precision craftsmanship and technical innovations take the 2005 edition to a whole new level.

On GT models, the available Interior Color Accent Package – charcoal with red leather seating surfaces, red door inserts and red floor mats – is as much a jaw-dropper as the interior of the acclaimed concept vehicle that inspired it. The cabin is accented with real aluminum hardware for a look of technical precision.

"This is a $30,000 interior in a $20,000 car," Erickson said. "The functional, contemporary look of this interior and its precise execution set a new standard."

A Dash with Flash

The cockpit is dominated by large, circular, chrome-ringed speedometer and tachometer gauges with radial numeric markers in a classic Mustang style. The barrel-like performance gauges are located on either side of a panel that offers information on fuel level, battery, oil temperature and pressure. But Mustang’s bold instrumentation has an important advantage over its ancestors and all others: It can be customized at the push of a button.

Thanks to the industry’s first available color-configurable instrument cluster, Mustang owners can mix and match lighting to create more than 125 different color backgrounds to suit their personality, mood, outfit or whim.

The technology makes use of light-emitting diodes – green, blue and red – projected through "light pipe" fittings on the sides of the speedometer, tachometer and vehicle operation indicator panel. It allows Mustang owners to blend these colors and create more personalized instrumentation.

Ford engineers came up with the idea when reviewing concept instrument panels with suppliers. One such cluster displayed different colors to show options for single-color backgrounds.

"During Mustang research clinics, we noticed that many of our customers already were customizing their interiors with different instrument panel features," said Dean Nowicki, Ford Mustang electrical engineering team leader. "The concept display was intended to offer choices, and we just decided we wanted all the colors."

Attention to Detail

History and heritage are evident in the chrome-ringed air vents that are aligned vertically across the dash, precisely in line with the gauges. As in the 1967 model, the steering wheel has three spokes with a black center hub marked by the horse and tricolor bars logo.

The center stack is clean and uncluttered for easy use of the radio, climate control and other controls. The short-throw five-speed manual shifter is topped with a substantial knob to deliver a feel of precision and control. The automatic shifter is beefy, with a classic T-handle top.

In addition to the color accent package, Mustang boasts an available appearance package that adds real aluminum panels across the width of the dashboard. These panels are horizontally ribbed, providing a tactile, as well as visual accent. As part of the package, manual transmission cars get an aluminum shifter knob, while automatics feature aluminum trim on the shaft and T-handle. A bright trim ring surrounds the base of the shifter, and steering wheel spokes are wrapped in aluminum.

The appearance package also includes black door panel inserts that help set off the extra metal hardware, such as brushed-metal-finished door handles. Bright aluminum kick plates on the doorsills bear the Mustang name in capital letters.

The base Mustang features highly supportive, cloth bucket seats that are comfortable on even the longest drives. Options include leather seating surfaces, six-way power seat adjustment and a tilt steering wheel.

Most frequently used controls are located within easy reach, including speed control buttons that are mounted on the steering wheel spokes. Consoles overhead and between the front seats provide handy spots for small items. Dual cup holders in the center console and deep pockets in each door offer additional storage.

Two 12-volt power points are standard – a single in-dash power point and a hidden power point in the armrest storage area of the center console.

Less of a Squeeze

Thanks to efficient packaging and the larger overall size of the new Mustang, all four occupants enjoy more room. Overall, the new model offers the driver 0.5 inch more headroom and 1.8 inches more shoulder room. Rear passengers also enjoy 1.1 inches more legroom and 1.2 inches more shoulder room in their sculpted bucket seats.

"The tallest drivers in our customer base have not been fully happy with previous Mustangs," said Keith Knudsen, package supervisor. "We’ve addressed that in this all-new car, while maintaining the ‘cockpit feel’ essential to a driver’s car. But we wanted to improve comfort for passengers, too. The extra cabin space makes a world of difference on long drives."

Beyond these gains, the seating position is more natural and comfortable for most drivers. The steering wheel, shifter and pedals are all placed optimally for enthusiast driving. For cargo versatility, split-folding rear seatbacks are standard, and the trunk capacity is 12.3 cubic feet – an increase of 13 percent.

More Standard Equipment than Ever

Mustang has always stood for value. The 2005 Ford Mustang has a standard feature list that makes its low purchase price an even better value.

Highlights include:

Standard power windows on all models with driver and passenger one-touch up (a new feature for 2005) and down
Standard "global open and close" windows – holding down on the unlock button lowers all windows while turning and holding the key in the lock raises them
Standard power exterior mirrors on all models
Standard power locking system with remote keyless entry, panic alarm and a key fob trunk release
Standard auto locking on automatic-equipped models
Standard heated rear window on all models
Standard interval wipers on all models
Standard fog lamps on GT
Standard speed control

Audio: All Systems Go

There are three audio systems offered on the 2005 Mustang. Base models get an 80-watt system with a single-CD player and four speakers. An optional 500-watt system includes two gigantic subwoofers mounted in the front doors, premium speakers in the rear and a six-disc, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability.

An even more powerful 1,000-watt Shaker Audiophile system adds dual 500-watt subwoofers in the trunk. Computer-aided engineering was used to help package a bass chamber with the same volume as the old unit while leaving more room for luggage. The new subwoofers, mounted to the right side of the trunk, use about a third of the space of the previous system offered in the Mustang.

Modular Electrical Architecture

The groundwork for Mustang’s new features and content is the car’s all-new, state-of-the-art electronics architecture, which allowed the design team to add content while minimizing cost, weight and complexity.

Almost all of the car’s electronic functions are integrated on a controlled area network, or CAN. At the heart of the system is a "smart junction box," which analyzes and disseminates many of the car’s electronic functions, including the powertrain, safety, traction, security and convenience equipment.

The CAN electrical system is the enabling technology behind a host of new features, including:

A new optional message center information display that provides trip-meter functions
Global open and close windows
Standard delayed accessory power and a standard battery saver feature that disables the interior lights and headlamps when inadvertently left on
Standard power windows, mirrors and door locks plus "smart locking," which will not allow the driver's door to be locked inadvertently