Ford Mustang (fifth generation)
The fifth-generation Ford Mustang, is a two-door four-seater pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 2004 to 2014, for the 2005 to 2014 model years — carrying the internal designation S197 and marketed in coupe and convertible body styles. Assembly took place at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. The fifth-generation began with the 2005 model year, and received a facelift in 2009 for the 2010 model year.
Originally designed by Sid Ramnarace through late 2001 and finalized in mid-2002, the fifth-generation Mustang's design was previewed by two pre-production concept cars that debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Development on the S-197 program began in 1999 under chief engineer Hau Thai-Tang, shortly after the 1998 launch of "New Edge" SN-95 facelift. From the second half of 1999, design work commenced under Ford design chief J Mays, and concluded in July 2002 with the design freeze. There have been several variants of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang that include the Mustang GT/California Special, Shelby Mustang, Bullitt Mustang, and Boss 302 Mustang.
Pre-production concepts
2003 Ford Mustang GT Concept, 2003 Mustang Convertible Concept
Developed between February and November 2002, two pre-production concept cars, a convertible and coupe model, were presented by Ford at the 2003 North American International Auto Show on January 5, 2003.The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept included a "showbar" with a rim of billet-aluminum trim, 20-inch wheels, 13.8-in cross-drilled Brembo brakes, red and charcoal leather upholstery with perforated surfaces on the seat backs, billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, as well as 4-point racing-style seatbelts and instrument gauges.
The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept included a glass roof and functional hood scoops, as well as a red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware and a supercharged MOD 4.6 L engine rated at.
Appearing with other concept vehicles at the show such as the Cadillac Sixteen, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and Dodge Tomahawk, AutoWeek called the Mustang concept the "most significant vehicle in show".
Both vehicles were eventually sold at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction for $175,000 each.
S-197 concept
At the following year's North American International Auto Show, Ford introduced a redesigned Mustang previewed by the 2003 concept vehicle that was codenamed "S-197". It was based on the Ford D2C platform. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and with exterior design done by Sid Ramnarace, the fifth generation Mustang drew inspiration from the first-generation 1964–1970 Mustang. The design aesthetic of J Mays, Ford's Senior Vice President of Design, has been described as "retro-futurism."Initial release
Mustang
Production start-up for the 2005 Mustang was on September 7, 2004, with the first 2005 model rolling off the Flat Rock assembly line on September 27, 2004. U.S. market launch and customer deliveries began at the end of October 2004, with production ending in late 2008 for the 2009 model.The 2005–2009 base Mustang was powered by Ford's cast-iron block 4.0 L Cologne SOHC V6 engine, replacing the 3.8 L Essex OHV V6 used in 2004 and older models. It produced at 5,300 rpm and of torque at 3,500 rpm and was mated to a standard Tremec T-5 5-speed manual transmission with Ford's 5R55S 5-speed automatic transmission available as an option. A 3.31:1 final drive ratio was standard with either transmission. In a comparison test with a Pontiac G6 Convertible conducted by Motor Trend magazine, a Mustang V6 convertible equipped with an automatic transmission was able to accelerate from zero to in 7.3 seconds; 1.4 seconds quicker than the 2006 Pontiac G6 convertible.
The Mustang had a MacPherson strut front suspension with reverse "L" lower control arms. The rear suspension employed a new three-link system to locate the axle longitudinally, and a Panhard Rod to locate the axle laterally. This live axle rear suspension, while sacrificing handling, provides the benefits of reduced cost and weight over heavier, more expensive independent rear suspensions. In spite of this, Ford has drawn heavy criticism from the automotive journalism community for the decision to equip the fifth generation Mustang with the live axle system. At a press conference, Ford stated that an independent rear suspension would have added $5,000 to the showroom price of the car.
Standard equipment on the 2005 Mustang includes power windows, dual power mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, dual front air bags, AM/FM stereo with CD player, 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, and larger disc brakes than the previous generation Mustang with twin-piston calipers in the front. Some of the options available included Ford's MyColor, brushed aluminum panels, Ford's Shaker 500 or Shaker 1000 premium audio system with a 6-disc MP3-compatible CD changer, leather seating surfaces, a six-way power adjustable driver seat, and a four-channel anti-lock brake system with traction control. All Mustang GT and Convertibles came with a rear sway bar with white links during these years; the bar diameter varied with options and was 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, or 22.4 mm. Replacement links from Ford are colored black or oxide coated
For 2006, a less expensive version of the Mustang was introduced as the new base model. Slotted below the V6 Deluxe, the V6 Standard, starting at US$19,115 MSRP for a coupe, or US$23,940 MSRP for a convertible, the V6 Standard models were each $100 less expensive than their V6 Deluxe counterparts. The only difference between the V6 Standard and V6 Deluxe trim levels was that the V6 Standard featured 16-inch black steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, versus the 16-inch alloy wheels on the V6 Deluxe. However, 16-inch alloy wheels could still be optioned on the V6 Standard, as could most other available options on the V6 Deluxe. The V6 Standard was discontinued after the 2006 model year, once again leaving the V6 Deluxe as the base Mustang trim level.
All Mustangs for the 2008 model year have seats containing material derived from soy beans, harking back to some of Henry Ford's ideals.
Ford Sync was available on the 2009 model only as a dealer-installed kit.
Several new options and standard features were introduced in the following years, including the Pony Package, a DVD-based GPS navigation system made by Pioneer, a power passenger seat, heated seats, Sirius Satellite Radio, new flat bottom spoiler for V6 only, standard side airbags, HID headlamps, and ambient interior lighting. The ambient interior lighting package consisted of the installation of electroluminescence that gave the driver the ability to choose various color combinations for the instrument cluster, sound system and climate control displays, as well as light emitting from the top of the front footwells and from beneath the rear seats.
For 2009, Ford introduced a new option called the glass roof. This option was in effect a full roof sunroof that splits the difference in price and purpose of the coupe and convertible models.
Pony Package
The Pony Package for the V6 Mustang became available starting in 2006. This option includes an upgraded suspension derived from the Mustang GT, 17-inch wheels with wider tires, a unique grille design with two options of fog lamps, a rear deck spoiler, and unique door striping and emblems. Later versions of the pony package also included a stainless-steel exhaust and power driver's seat.V6 Appearance Package
At the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Ford Custom Accessories introduced the V6 Appearance Package. Among the items were a billet grille, scoops, a spoiler and blackout trim treatments. Available in 2008 as a $2,398 option, it was promoted with an additional Power Pack FR1, handling package FR3 and a short throw shifter. Available in 2008, the V6 Appearance Package was only available on the V6 Coupe with the Premium Package with either an automatic or manual transmission and only with Grabber Orange, Vapor Silver Metallic, and Dark Candy Apple Red. For 2009 the V6 Appearance Package was offered in Performance White and Black. By 2008, total of 152 V6 Appearance Packages were built and only 96 by 2009.Mustang GT
The Mustang GT featured an all-aluminum 4.6 L 3-valve SOHC Modular V8 with variable camshaft timing and a more rugged Tremec TR-3650 transmission. The engine produces at 5,750 rpm and of torque at 4,500 rpm. The GT model was capable of performing a quarter-mile test in 13.7 seconds at with acceleration from 0 to in 4.9 seconds. The Mustang GT also came equipped with a limited-slip differential complete with the same carbon-fiber clutch discs used in the 2003 to 2004 SVT Cobra and the 2007 Shelby GT500. The differential uses the 31-spline axles and the ring gear. The standard final drive ratio of 2005 and 2006 Mustang GTs with a manual transmission was 3.55:1. Since the 2007 model year, a 3.31:1 ratio final drive was standard with the 3.55:1 gearing available as a factory installed option. Automatic transmission-equipped models of all years come with 3.31:1 ratio.The Mustang GT features a stiffer, better handling version of the standard suspension, larger 12.4-inch front brake discs, standard four-channel ABS with traction control, a two-piece drive shaft, a stainless steel dual exhaust, standard grille-mounted fog lights, and 17-inch wheels, with optional 18-inch wheels available starting with the 2006 model year.
Shelby GT and GT-H
The 2006 Shelby GT-H and later Shelby GT were based on the standard GT model, but modified by Carroll Shelby Automobiles. The V8 engine in these models had a power output of by means of a Ford Racing air intake, performance tune, and upgraded exhaust system.The Shelby GT-H was a fleet vehicle for Hertz car rental outlets and traced its roots to the 1966 Shelby GT350H. The GT-H was available only in Hertz's corporate colors: black exterior and twin gold racing stripes. It included a billet aluminum grille, a Shelby hood with functional hood pins, as well as front and rear fascias that were later used on Shelby GT and GT/CS models. The GT-H came with the Power Pack that included a cold air intake, revised exhaust system and custom performance calibration, boosting power output to and torque to. The GT-H also includes the handling package with lowering springs, improved dampers, sway bars, a strut tower brace and a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly. A total of 500 units were ordered by Hertz for the 2006 model year, and 500 convertible models were announced for 2007.