The fifth-generation Ford Mustang (S197) is a
pony car
Pony car is an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupés or convertibles with a "sporty" or performance-oriented image. Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive, a long hood, a short decklid, a wide ran ...
that was manufactured by
Ford
Ford commonly refers to:
* Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford
* Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river
Ford may also refer to:
Ford Motor Company
* Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
* Ford F ...
from 2004 until 2014, at the
Flat Rock Assembly Plant
Flat Rock Assembly Plant, formerly known as Ford's Michigan Casting Center (MCC) (1972–1981), Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA (1987–1992) and AutoAlliance International (1992–2012), is a Ford Motor Company assembly plant located at Drive ...
in
Flat Rock, Michigan
Flat Rock is a city mostly in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. A very small portion of the city extends into Monroe County. At the 2010 census, the city population was 9,878.
History
Flat Rock began as a Wyandot settlement. It was l ...
. The fifth generation began with the 2005
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
, and received a
facelift
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () "wrinkle", and () "excision", the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are mul ...
for the 2010 model year. Originally designed by
Sid Ramnarace
Sid Ramnarace is a Canadian-born American designer and strategist who has worked with the Ford Motor Company, in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, and has designed automobiles, furniture, jewelry, textiles, glassware, and home decor.
Backgroun ...
through late 2001 and finalized in mid-2002, the fifth-generation Mustang's design was previewed by two pre production
concept car
A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or ...
s that debuted at the
2003 North American International Auto Show. Development began on the S-197 program 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
J Mays is an American industrial designer who served as Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer at Ford Motor Company, and is now Chief Design Officer at Whirlpool. His name is simply "J", named after his grandfather, S ...
, and concluded in July 2002 with the design freeze.
There have been several
variants
Variant may refer to:
In arts and entertainment
* ''Variant'' (magazine), a former British cultural magazine
* Variant cover, an issue of comic books with varying cover art
* ''Variant'' (novel), a novel by Robison Wells
* "The Variant", 2021 e ...
of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang that include the
Mustang GT/California Special,
Shelby Mustang
The Shelby Mustang is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang built by Shelby American from 1965 to 1967 and by the Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1970.
In 2005, Ford revived the Shelby nameplate for a high-performance model of the fi ...
, Bullitt Mustang, and
Boss 302 Mustang
The Mustang Boss 302 is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang originally produced by Ford in 1969 and 1970, alongside its more powerful sibling the Boss 429 Mustang. Ford revived the name for another two year production run in 2012 and ...
.
Pre-production concepts
2003 Ford Mustang GT Concept, 2003 Mustang Convertible Concept
![2005 Ford Mustang convertible concept (exterior)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/2005_Ford_Mustang_convertible_concept_%28exterior%29.jpg)
Developed between February and November 2002, two pre-production
concept car
A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or ...
s, 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 nearly 400 horsepower.
Appearing with other concept vehicles at the show such as the
Cadillac Sixteen
The Cadillac Sixteen is a concept car first developed and presented by Cadillac in 2003.
The vehicle is equipped with a Cadillac proprietary-developed aluminum 32-valve V16 engine displacing 13.6 liters (829 cu. in; 13,584 cc), which was excl ...
,
Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and
Dodge Tomahawk
The Dodge Tomahawk is a non- street legal vehicle introduced in 2003 by Dodge at the North American International Auto Show, initially as a one-off concept, and then later that year as a limited production vehicle when DaimlerChrysler announce ...
, ''
AutoWeek
''Autoweek'' is a car culture publication based in Detroit, Michigan. It was first published in 1958 and in 1977 the publication was purchased by Crain Communications Inc, its current parent company. The magazine was published weekly and focused ...
'' 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 (before buyer premium).
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". Its platform was the
D2C for the 2005
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer
Hau Thai-Tang and exterior styling designer
Sid Ramnarace
Sid Ramnarace is a Canadian-born American designer and strategist who has worked with the Ford Motor Company, in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, and has designed automobiles, furniture, jewelry, textiles, glassware, and home decor.
Backgroun ...
, the fifth generation Mustang drew inspiration from the first-generation 1964–1970 Mustangs. The design
aesthetic of
J Mays
J Mays is an American industrial designer who served as Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer at Ford Motor Company, and is now Chief Design Officer at Whirlpool. His name is simply "J", named after his grandfather, S ...
, Ford's Senior Vice President of Design, has been described as "
retro-futurism
Retrofuturism (adjective ''retrofuturistic'' or ''retrofuture'') is a movement in the creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era. If futurism is sometimes called a "science" bent on anticipatin ...
."
Initial release
Mustang
![07 Ford Mustang (9476655912)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/07_Ford_Mustang_%289476655912%29.jpg)
Production start-up for the 2005 Mustang was on September 7, 2004, with the first 2005 model rolling off Flat Rock Assembly on September 27, 2004. U.S. market launch and customer delivery 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, replacing the
3.8 L Essex OHV V6 used in 2004 and older models. It produces at 5,300 rpm and of torque at 3,500 rpm and was mated to a standard
Tremec T-5 5-speed
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission system, where gear change ...
with Ford's
5R55S 5-speed automatic transmission available as an option. A 3.31:1 final drive ratio is standard with either transmission. In a comparison test with a
Pontiac G6
The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car that was produced by General Motors under the Pontiac brand. It was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year to replace the Grand Am.
The G6 shared the GM Epsilon platform with the Chevrolet Malibu, Saab 9-3 ...
Convertible conducted by ''
Motor Trend
''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949.
Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 1998, when it was sold to ...
'' 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 has a
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles, and is named for American automotive engineer Ear ...
front suspension with reverse "L" lower control arms. The rear suspension was a new three-link system with a
Panhard Rod
A Panhard rod (also called Panhard bar, track bar, or track rod) is a suspension link that provides lateral location of the axle. Originally invented by the Panhard automobile company of France in the early twentieth century, this device has been ...
that controls the vertical and lateral movements of the axle. 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 to include 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, front air bags, AM/FM stereo with CD player, 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, and larger brake discs than the previous generation Mustang with twin-piston calipers in the front. Some of the options available included Ford's MyColor (a color-configurable instrument cluster available as part of the Interior Upgrade package), brushed aluminum panels (also part of the Interior Upgrade Package), Ford's Shaker 500 (500 watt peak output) or Shaker 1000 (1000 watt peak output) 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 (standard on GT models). 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 $19,115
MSRP
The list price, also known as the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), or the recommended retail price (RRP), or the suggested retail price (SRP) of a product is the price at which its manufacturer notionally recommends that a retailer ...
for a coupe, or $23,940
MSRP
The list price, also known as the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), or the recommended retail price (RRP), or the suggested retail price (SRP) of a product is the price at which its manufacturer notionally recommends that a retailer ...
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
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
, once again leaving the V6 Deluxe as the base Mustang trim level.
As of 2007, all 2008 Mustangs have seats containing material derived from
soy beans
The soybean, soy bean, or soya bean (''Glycine max'') is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean, which has numerous uses.
Traditional unfermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk, from which tofu and ...
, harking back to some of
Henry Ford's ideals.
Ford Sync
Ford Sync (stylized Ford SYNC) is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. ...
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 (2006), a DVD-based GPS navigation system made by
Pioneer
Pioneer commonly refers to a settler who migrates to previously uninhabited or sparsely inhabited land.
In the United States pioneer commonly refers to an American pioneer, a person in American history who migrated west to join in settling and de ...
(2007), a power passenger seat (2007), heated seats (2007),
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio was a satellite radio (SDARS) and online radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Holdings.
Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially lau ...
(2007), new flat bottom spoiler for V6 only (2006), standard side airbags (2006),
HID headlamps (2008), and ambient interior lighting (2006). 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 ($1,995 at introduction) was in effect a full roof sunroof that splits the difference in price and purpose of the coupe and convertible models.
Pony Package
![2005 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe (14410972646)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/2005_Ford_Mustang_V6_Coupe_%2814410972646%29.jpg)
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 (originally only available on the GT), a unique grille design with 2 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. This package includes an upgraded suspension, additional interior trim, and a grille with foglights. Available in 2008 as a $2,398 option, it was promoted with an additional Power Pack FR1 (an 85 mm Cold Air Intake sourced from the Bullitt, True Dual exhaust with an X-pipe and Bullitt Mufflers, a Pro-Cal Hand held tuner and a Ford Racing Performance oil filter), handling package FR3 (shocks/struts, front and rear anti-rollbars, V6 lowering springs, and a V6 strut tower bar) 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
![2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT convertible 01](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/2005-2009_Ford_Mustang_GT_convertible_01.jpg)
The Mustang GT featured an all-aluminum 4.6 L
3-valve SOHC
Modular
Broadly speaking, modularity is the degree to which a system's components may be separated and recombined, often with the benefit of flexibility and variety in use. The concept of modularity is used primarily to reduce complexity by breaking a s ...
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 13.8 seconds at 99 MPH, with acceleration from zero 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 (versus the 11.4-inch discs used on V6 Mustangs), 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 to produce by means of a
Ford Racing
Ford Performance (formerly Ford Racing) is the high-performance division of the Ford Motor Company and the multinational name used for its motorsport and racing activity.
History
* 1896 – Henry Ford reached a top speed of 20 mph in his ...
air intake, performance tune, and upgraded exhaust system.
The Shelby GT-H was a fleet vehicle for
Hertz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that o ...
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
A billet is a living-quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, a billet was a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier.
Soldiers are generally billeted in barracks or garrisons when not on combat duty, alth ...
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
A cold air intake (CAI) is usually an aftermarket assembly of parts used to bring relatively cool air into a car's internal-combustion engine.
Most vehicles manufactured from the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s have thermostatic air intake syste ...
, revised exhaust system and custom
performance calibration, boosting power 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.
GT California Special
![Wiki gt cs](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Wiki_gt_cs.jpg)
In 2006, Ford introduced the GT California Special (GT/CS) package, hearkening back to the original 1968
California Special Mustang. The package adds 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, non-functional side scoops, and unique vinyl striping that replaced the side GT emblems. The GT/CS also included a different front fascia and rear valance with diffuser, similar to those found on the Shelby GT. The GT/CS edition's front fascia was lower to the ground than the standard GT. Interior upgrades included Mustang labeled floor mats, and CS only leather interior color options. The 2007 GT Appearance Package adds a hood scoop, exhaust tips, and engine cover.
In 2010, the GT California Special was re-introduced as optional on the Mustang GT. Black GTCS side stripes which faded into a side scoop. The front fascia was replaced with the one used in the 2011 Boss 302 with working lower fascia fog lights. The rear diffuser was taken from the Shelby GT 500 while the rear deck lid featured black vinyl and a wing spoiler. Wheels were argent spoke 19 inch with a GT logo stamped towards the outer rim on each wheel. The interior's bright dash was replaced with black carbon fiber treatment, while carbon fiber door inserts and seat leather patterns were added. Badging included "GTCS" on the carbon fiber dash and floor mats. The front grill was brushed aluminum billet with a V6 style pony emblem on the driver's side. (for 2012, it was changed to black billet). Rear axle gear selections were 3.31, 3.55, or 3.73.
2008–2009 Bullitt
![2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/2008_Ford_Mustang_Bullitt.jpg)
The Mustang
Bullitt
''Bullitt'' is a 1968 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. The picture stars Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Jacqueline Bisset. The screenplay by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleine ...
returned in February 2008 as a variant of the Mustang GT, the last version of which was produced in 2001. It is reminiscent of the Dark Highland Green GT-390
fastback Mustang driven by
Steve McQueen in the 1968 film ''
Bullitt
''Bullitt'' is a 1968 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. The picture stars Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Jacqueline Bisset. The screenplay by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleine ...
''. Available in Dark Highland Green or Black exterior paint without spoiler and GT fender emblems; the faux gas cap on the deck lid is replaced by a unique Bullitt version. The Mustang GT's standard fog light-equipped grille is replaced with a specially designed pony-less style grille highlighted by an aluminium accent. Dark Argent Gray 18-inch cast-aluminum euro-flange wheels are used with matching brake calipers and larger, 3.5 inch exhaust tips replace the Mustang GT's standard 3-inch tips. Although side (quarter) window louvers (as shown in picture) are not standard, they are added by owners because they are similar to those on the 1968 Mustang fastback.
The Bullitt uses a version of the Mustang GT's aluminum 4.6 L SOHC V8. It has a cold air intake, improved engine calibration, and a revised exhaust system designed to mimic the sound of the Mustang used in the Bullitt movie. Total output is at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,250 rpm and the engine's redline has been raised to 6,500 rpm (from the standard Mustang GT's 6250 rpm). Premium grade, 91-octane or better gasoline is recommended, although an adaptive spark ignition system allows the engine to accept regular grade gasoline. Total output is the same with either fuel, but the engine delivers a flatter torque curve when using premium. The
Tremec TR-3650 5-speed manual transmission from the Mustang GT is used, but the Bullitt featured a heavier duty rear axle (also used in GT500KR) with 3.73:1 ratio, versus the Mustang GT's 3.31:1 or optional 3:55:1 ratios. The suspension is improved over the standard GT utilizing stiffer springs, struts, and a decorative front strut tower brace while also lowering the car's ride height by six millimeters. Most of the Mustang Bullitt's components are available in the aftermarket for retrofitting earlier S197 Mustang GT vehicles, but some parts used in Bullitt Mustangs are marked to show authenticity.
The 2009 Mustang catalog indicate the Bullitt package was available on manual transmission Mustang GT Premium coupes as a regular production option; the same color restrictions apply.
45th Anniversary Edition (2009 GT)
![2009 Ford Mustang GT 45th Side](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/2009_Ford_Mustang_GT_45th_Side.JPG)
Features of the 2009 Mustang include a glass top roof option, as well as special 45th Anniversary badging to commemorate the original Mustang's launch in 1964. A total of 46,420 were built.
Satellite radio was standard on premium interior models, and Deluxe was no longer used to identify base models. This model has the same engine and functional equipment as a basic GT. The 2009 45th Anniversary edition is badged with a Mustang Colt emblem, with the 45th Anniversary logo. It included with an optional hood scoop and polished stainless steel exhaust tips package, rear spoiler, the Ambient Lighting package was now standard and included with the price of the vehicle at no additional cost, and 17-inch polished aluminum wheels were optional (17-inch wheels were standard but this model year used the same silver 5-spoke wheels since 2007).
Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition (2009½ GT)
![2009 Iacocca Mustang](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/2009_Iacocca_Mustang.jpg)
The 2009 Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition was a 45 unit production also commemorating the 45th anniversary of Ford Mustang. Named for
Lee Iacocca who helped develop and introduce the Mustang. It was designed by
Michael Leone
Michael may refer to:
People
* Michael (given name), a given name
* Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael
Given name "Michael"
* Michael (archangel), ''first'' of God's archangels in the Jewish, Christian and ...
(I Legacy & Michael Leone Design) and built by California-based Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters coachbuilding company. Despite its aftermarket build status, it carries factory engine and warranties. Iacocca was given car 1 of the 45. One was later auctioned for $352,000.
Shelby GT500 (2007–2009)
![2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - Flickr - The Car Spy (18)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/2008_Ford_Mustang_Shelby_GT500_-_Flickr_-_The_Car_Spy_%2818%29.jpg)
For 2007, Ford's
SVT launched
Shelby GT500, a successor to the 2003/2004
Mustang SVT Cobra. The GT500 shared basic design characteristics with that of the Mustang V6 and GT. It retained the same basic live axle rear suspension setup of the Mustang V6 and GT, with some minor durability enhancements such as thicker sheet metal supports and extra welds, as well as redesigned strut towers to accommodate a wider engine. The
supercharged and
intercooled
An intercooler is a heat exchanger used to cool a gas after compression. Often found in turbocharged engines, intercoolers are also used in air compressors, air conditioners, refrigeration and gas turbines.
Internal combustion engines
Most ...
DOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion cha ...
4 valves per cylinder
V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and u ...
with an iron block and aluminum heads was rated at at 6,000 rpm and of
torque
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). It represents the capability of a force to produce change in the rotational motion of th ...
at 4,500 rpm. The
Tremec
TREMEC (Transmisiones y Equipos Mecánicos SA de CV, formerly Transmission Technology Corporation, TTC) is a manufacturer of automobile transmissions and drivetrain components based in Querétaro, Mexico.
Company
Torque transfer solutions fro ...
TR6060 6-speed
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission system, where gear change ...
used a 3.31:1 rear drive ratio. Wheels are 18×9.5 inch with P255/45ZR18 tires in the front and P285/40ZR18 tires in the rear.
Brembo 14-inch disc brakes with aluminum four-piston calipers are on the front with 11.8-inch disc brakes with single-piston calipers in the rear.
The GT500 failed to meet some automotive journalists' expectations. ''
Car and Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was f ...
'' magazine, for example, though praising the GT500 for its ample horsepower and relatively smooth ride, criticized their test car for its heavy weight and, in particular, the nose-heavy weight distribution of 57.7% front and 42.3% rear (compared to the 52.5% front, 47.5% rear of a Mustang GT manual they tested). Nevertheless, in spite of their opinion of its drawbacks, Car and Driver drove a GT500 in their 2007 "Lightning Lap" road test at
Virginia International Raceway
Virginia International Raceway (commonly known as "VIR") is a race track located in Alton, Virginia, near Danville. It is less than a half-mile from the North Carolina/Virginia border just outside Milton, North Carolina, on the banks of the Da ...
and found that the car's on-track performance lap time of 3:05.9 fell just below that of the
Porsche 911 Turbo
The Porsche 911 (pronounced ''Nine Eleven'' or in german: Neunelfer) is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and ori ...
(3:05.8) and faster than that of the
Lotus Elise
The Lotus Elise is a two-seat, rear-wheel drive, mid-engined roadster conceived in early 1994 and released in September 1996 by the British manufacturer Lotus Cars. The Elise has a fibreglass body shell atop its bonded extruded aluminium chas ...
(3:09.3),
Porsche Cayman S
The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are mid-engine two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by German automobile manufacturer Porsche across four generations—as a two-door, two-seater roadster (Boxster) and a three-door, two-seater fastba ...
(3:09.5) and
BMW M6
The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand from 1983 to 2018 (with a break from 1990 to 2004).
Introduced in the coupe body style, the M6 was also built in convertible and fastback sedan ('Gran ...
(3:10.0).
Shelby GT500KR
![2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR Coupe 7](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/2008_Ford_Shelby_GT500KR_Coupe_7.jpg)
Debuting as a 2008 model and continuing for 2009, the Shelby GT500KR ("KR" being an abbreviation for "King of the Road") pays homage to the original 1968 Shelby Mustang of the same name. Production for '08 was limited to 1011 units (including prototypes), with another 712 KR models built for '09. The KR featured new components and performance enhancements over the standard GT500. The KR's engine was tuned to produce at 6,250 rpm and of
torque
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). It represents the capability of a force to produce change in the rotational motion of th ...
at 4,500 rpm, gains of and of torque, respectively over the GT500's. The rear axle has a 3.73:1 ratio. To improve handling and help offset the car's front-heavy weight distribution, the GT500KR featured a Ford Racing strut tower brace and uniquely tuned struts, shocks, and springs. Using a carbon fiber hood and a revised exhaust system, the overall weight of the GT500KR was lighter than a standard GT500.
Engines
Motorsports
In
autocross
Autocross (also called "Solo", "Auto-x" or "Autoslalom") is a timed competition in which drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course on either a sealed or an unsealed surface. It is a form of motorsports that emphasizes safe competitio ...
, the S197 Shelby GT Mustang won the
SCCA Pro Solo championship in the F-stock class from 2007 to 2009.
A Mustang won the drivers, team and manufacturers' championships for both the 2008 and 2009 seasons of Grand-Am Koni Challenge.
In 2009, the Mustang also won the
SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge GT title.
Blackforest Motorsports has entered a Mustang in the
Rolex Sports Car Series
The Rolex Sports Car Series was the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It was a North American-based sports car series founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed ...
GT class.
2010 model year update
2010 Mustang
![12 Ford Mustang (7299352136) (cropped)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/12_Ford_Mustang_%287299352136%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The 2010 model year Mustang was unveiled on November 18, 2008, prior to the
Los Angeles International Auto Show
The Los Angeles Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition. It is open to the public for ten days each year, filling of exhibit s ...
. Production began on January 12, 2009 and it went on sale in March 2009. The 2010 Mustang was a revision of the 2005–2009 models, retaining the
D2C platform.
Design and development work began in 2004, with September 29, 2005 being when designer George Saridikas' exterior proposal was chosen, as well as Robert Gelardi's interior proposal under chief S-197 designer
Doug Gaffka. Doug Gaffka afterward, became immediately responsible for the design of the 2008–2009 Bullitt and the GT500KR, upon MY2010 design selection in 2006. The resulting production exterior design of late 2006 was substantially revised, resulting in better aerodynamic performance (Ford claimed the
coefficient of drag
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: c_\mathrm, c_x or c_) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water. It is used in the drag e ...
was reduced by 4% on V6 models and 7% on GT models, and that the front aerodynamic lift was reduced by 37% for V6 models and 23% for GT models.
).
Specific changes to the exterior include a restyled Mustang emblem, a new headlight design with integrated turn signals, new slimmer side mirror design, a prominent "powerdome" hood, and revised three-lens taillights with
LEDs
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (cor ...
that blink in sequence for turn indication. Additionally, the 2010 Mustang GT used smaller fog lights than the 2005–2009 models though they were still mounted in the car's grille. Fog lights on V6 models (a part of a revised ''Pony Package'' first introduced for 2006) are now mounted in the lower
fascia below the grille. The radio antenna had been moved to the rear of the car and the lock for the trunk no longer featured a keyhole on the trunk lid, substituting with a remote trunk release only. In spite of its changes, the 2010 Mustang's overall exterior dimensions were nearly identical to the 2005–2009 models.
The Mustang's interior was revised featuring higher quality
thermoplastic olefin
Thermoplastic olefin, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers refer to polymer/filler blends usually consisting of some fraction of a thermoplastic, an elastomer or rubber, and usually a filler.
Outdoor applications s ...
surfaces, available real aluminium trim, and improved fit and finish. The new design moved away from the linear nature of the previous models.
Ford SYNC
Ford Sync (stylized Ford SYNC) is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. ...
became available as a factory installed option on all trim levels of the Mustang except the base model.
This generation was the first to be sold in Japan in left hand drive form with exterior lighting modifications to comply with Japanese Government regulations.
![Ford Mustang rear Tx-re](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Ford_Mustang_rear_Tx-re.jpg)
The standard engine was a
4.0 L V6 mated to a
5-speed manual transmission or an optional
5-speed automatic transmission. The V6 powertrains were unchanged from those used in 2005–2009 Mustangs. Though the 2010 Mustang V-6 retained a single exhaust outlet, the diameter of the tip had been increased one-half of an inch to three inches.
The 2010 Mustang included new spring rates and dampers to improve ride quality and control and Ford's ''AdvanceTrac''
traction and
stability control
Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...
system standard. Newly standard on the base Mustang were 17-inch painted aluminum wheels while 18-inch wheels continue to be optional (except for V8 models, where 18-inch wheels were mounted by default). Other new available features and options for the 2010 Mustang included Ford SYNC, dual-zone automatic climate control, an updated navigation system with
Sirius
Sirius is the list of brightest stars, brightest star in the night sky. Its name is derived from the Ancient Greek language, Greek word , or , meaning 'glowing' or 'scorching'. The star is designated α Canis Majoris, Latinisation ...
Travel Link, a capless fuel filler, a reverse camera system to aid in backing up, and an updated version of the V6 ''Pony Package''.
2011–2012 Mustangs
For 2011, the aging 4.0 L V6 used in the Mustang since the 2005 model year was replaced with Ford's
Duratec 37
The Cyclone engine, also branded Duratec, is Ford Motor Company's latest DOHC family of gasoline V6 engines introduced in 2006. The Cyclone succeeds Ford's previous V6 engine families, including the Canadian built Ford Essex engine introduced in 1 ...
3.7 L DOHC V6. Unlike earlier V6s, the new engine featured Twin-independent
Variable Cam Timing
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by Ford. It allows for more optimum engine performance, reduced emissions, and increased fuel efficiency compared to engines with fixed camshafts. It uses ...
(Ti-VCT), true dual exhaust (compared to the single outlet exhaust for the previous 4.0 L V6); this engine was rated to produce an improved at 6500 rpm and of torque at 4250 rpm.
The upgraded powertrains were capable of achieving better
fuel efficiency due in part to the new transmissions. With the standard
Getrag
Getrag (), stylized as GETRAG, was a major supplier of transmission systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The company was founded on 1 May 1935, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, by Hermann Hagenmeyer; as the ''Getriebe und Zahnradfabrik ...
MT82 6-speed manual transmission co-developed with Ford, the Mustang had been rated by the
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...
to achieve in city driving and on the highway. The newly optional Ford
6R60 6-speed automatic achieved in city and on the highway. A newly standard 2.73:1
limited slip rear axle was more fuel efficient compared to the more aggressive 3.31:1 axle used previously. The 3.31:1 axle remained available in the 2011 Mustang as a performance option.
The 2011 Mustang offered a ''V6 Performance Package'' starting in the summer of 2010. The package featured a standard 3.31:1 rear axle, stiffer suspension tuning, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, a strut tower brace, and performance-oriented electronic stability control calibration.
Other, non-powertrain related upgrades made to the 2011 Mustang included a
Nexteer Automotive
Nexteer Automotive () is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. It is a publicly traded company that is owned about one-third by its shareholders and about two-thirds by Pacific Cen ...
Electric Power Steering (EPS) system with pull-drift compensation and active nibble control, general aerodynamic and
NVH improvements over the 2010 Mustang, a digital message/information center, blind spot mirrors integrated into the car's side mirrors, a universal garage door opener, a 160 mph speedometer, and Ford's
MyKey programmable vehicle key technology.
Cobra Jet (2012)
The Mustang Cobra Jet is a 2012 Mustang that was the same design as the GT500 but it has wider tires and a bigger engine. Cobra Jet Mustangs were sold only to professional drag racers and came without a VIN, making it impossible to register them as a road car.
2013–2014 Mustangs
![14 Ford Mustang (14194590891)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/14_Ford_Mustang_%2814194590891%29.jpg)
Between 2009 and 2010, development took place on further updates to the second generation S-197. In late 2010 design work (by Robert Gelardi) was frozen, with prototypes being first spotted in May 2011. On November 2, 2011, Ford unveiled the 2013 model year Mustang. The 2013 model year Mustang exterior was updated with a new front fascia featuring a larger grille, standard HiD headlamps and two LED accent strips adjacent to the headlamp lens. Models equipped with the Pony Package offered LED lighting mounted on the side-view mirrors that produce a projection of a running horse on the ground, 18-inch wheels, and lower valance fog lamps. In the rear, LED tail lamp clusters included sequential turn signals (as with 2010–2012 Mustangs) and a reverse indicator light integrated within the brake light. The trunk lid included a black panel that united the left and right tail lamp clusters. Several new wheel designs were offered.
Inside, Ford now offered a 4.2-inch display between the speedometer and tachometer on Premium models. Selections in this information display included G-force, acceleration times, air-fuel ratio, cylinder head temperature, and oil temperature. All models equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission included a SelectShift feature, which provided drivers the ability to choose and hold a gear and to shift manually.
Mustang GT
2010
![2010 Ford Mustang GT--DC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/2010_Ford_Mustang_GT--DC.jpg)
The 2010 Mustang GT added a more powerful version of the
4.6 L V8 seen in 2005–2009 Mustang GTs. The Mustang GT's revised V8 produced at 6000 rpm and of torque at 4250 rpm. The 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions offered with the updated V8 continued unchanged from before. The size of the 2010 Mustang GT's dual exhaust tips had been increased by one-half of an inch to while the exhaust note has been improved to enhance the sound of the V8.
Like the base V6-equipped Mustang, the 2010 Mustang GT included new spring rates and dampers to improve ride quality and control. AdvanceTrac was also standard in the Mustang GT though a special ''Sport Mode'' setting was added for spirited driving. The 2010 Mustang GT came with standard 18-inch wheels – one inch greater than the previous Mustang GT's standard wheels – while 19-inch wheels were a new option.
Newly available for the Mustang GT for 2010 were two performance packages. The ''3.73 Axle Package'' featured higher performance front brake pads, a more aggressive 3.73:1 rear axle, and a recalibrated AdvanceTrac system. The ''Track Package'' featured higher performance front and rear brake pads, stabilizer bars and rear lower control arms from the GT500, uniquely tuned shocks and struts,
Pirelli summer tires (includes automatic upgrade to 19-inch wheels), a 3.73:1 rear axle with carbon plates in the differential, and a recalibrated AdvanceTrac system.
2011 & 2012 5.0 GTs
Starting in late 2010 for the 2011 model year, the Mustang GT's engine became an all-aluminum 32-valve 5.0 L
DOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...
V8, codenamed
Coyote
The coyote (''Canis latrans'') is a species of canis, canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecologica ...
. The 2011 Mustang GT marked this engine's first use in any production Ford. While the new engine's displacement was similar to Ford's original "5.0"
V8, it was an unrelated design and instead shared more in common with the 4.6 L V8 and other
Modular engines that it replaced. The new 5.0 used a DOHC head design like other Modular engines and even shared its bore spacing and deck height with the outgoing 4.6 L V8. Differing the new engine from earlier Modular engines, among other features, was its use of wider bore diameters (and a longer stroke relative to the 4.6 L V8 in particular), to allow the use of larger valves, and camshaft torque-actuated Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT). This more advanced design is approximately – about heavier than the Mustang GT's previous 4.6 L V8. Red-line had been raised to 7,000 rpm. Using premium grade, 91-octane or higher gasoline, the new 5.0 L V8 could produce at 6500 rpm and of torque at 4250 rpm.
Output of the 5.0 drops to at 6500 rpm and of torque at 4250 rpm when regular grade gasoline is used.
The new 5.0 incorporates piston cooling oil jets that helped warm the engine faster and keep the engine running cooler under load. Racing style tubular headers replaced the standard cast iron headers. Coolant and oil flow patterns were optimized for proper flow when under high lateral forces, such as those experienced when on a road course track.
The Mustang GT also got new transmissions for 2011. Both transmissions are heavier duty versions of the same designs offered with the V6 Mustang; a Getrag/Ford MT82 6-speed manual transmission and Ford's
6R80
The 6R is a six-speed automatic transmission for longitudinal engine placement in rear-wheel drive vehicles. It is based on the ZF 6HP26 transmission and is built under license by the Ford Motor Company at its Livonia Transmission plant in Li ...
6-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission came with a 3.31:1 rear axle while 6-speed automatics get a taller 3.15:1 rear axle. Combined with its new & more efficient V8, the new 6-speed transmissions contributed to an improvement in fuel economy in the 2011 Mustang GT over its counterpart from the 2010 model year. As certified by the EPA, manual transmission models were able to achieve in city and on the highway while automatic transmission models were able to achieve in city and on the highway.
The Mustang GT gained the same non-powertrain related upgrades that standard V6 Mustangs got for 2011. Other, new features exclusive to the 2011 Mustang GT included "5.0" fender badges replacing the "GT" badges used previously, an optional
Brembo Brake Package includes 14 inch
Brembo front disk brakes taken from the Shelby GT500, unique 19-inch wheels with
Pirelli P-Zero ultra high performance summer only tires, a unique calibration of the Advanced Track stability system including a "sport" mode, and suspension enhancements such as stiffer springs (less aggressive than the BOSS 302 and Shelby models but more so than the regular GT models) and various other suspension enhancements. Convertible versions of the Mustang GT in particular received a front
strut tower brace
A strut bar, strut brace, or strut tower brace (STB) is an automotive suspension accessory on a monocoque or unibody chassis to provide extra stiffness between the strut towers.
With a MacPherson strut suspension system where the spring and sh ...
, stiffened crossmembers, and other enhancements resulting in a 12% increase in structural rigidity compared to 2010 Mustang GT convertibles. All 2011 Mustang GT's with 19 inch wheels (
Brembo brake equipped, California special, etc.) also received the strut tower brace and stiffened cross members.
Taller rear head rests were added in the middle of the 2012 model year for whiplash protection, with fold down feature for visibility when rear passengers are not present. The rear fascia is altered for slightly better aerodynamics than the 2010 as well.
'High Gear' concept (2012)
The Mustang 'High Gear' concept is a concept car designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and based on a 2013 Ford Mustang GT. The design was inspired by international products in categories such as jewelry, couture clothing, and architecture. The vehicle included rose-gold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior; satin-black body; quilted suede seats with leather-wrapped interior upholstery. Modifications were also made to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain, and sound system. The vehicle was unveiled at the
2012 SEMA show, during the first SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women event.
2013–2014 Mustang GT
![2013 Ford Mustang GT (rear view)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/2013_Ford_Mustang_GT_%28rear_view%29.jpg)
Changes for the 2013 model year included standard "blacked out" tail lights and a front fascia similar to the styling of the Shelby GT500 models. The GT models include LED fog lights mounted in the grille and functional heat extractors on the sides of the hood. The engine gained for a total of 420.
A new Track Package was offered for manual transmission GT Coupes.
GT Track Package included the complete
Brembo Brake package, a 3.73:1
Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
helical cut limited slip differential, Boss 302 aluminum radiator, Boss 302 engine oil cooler, and numerous suspension changes.
Recaro
Recaro Holding, as the parent company of the Recaro Group, owns the Recaro brand and the independently operating companies Recaro Aircraft Seating (aircraft seats) based in Schwäbisch Hall and Recaro eGaming (gaming seats) based in Stuttgart, Germ ...
sport seat option added for the Coupe.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition 2014 Ford Mustang GT (2013)
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Ford released a single special edition 2014 Ford Mustang GT coupe, VIN 0001. The car is white with red and blue accents and features USAF markings and logos, wide body modifications, a handcrafted and painted belly pan by Creations n' Chrome that emulated the appearance of an F-16 Thunderbird, front and rear wide body elements by TS Designs, custom 22-inch wheels by
Forgiato, a modified navigation screen, instrument cluster, rear seat delete,
Recaro
Recaro Holding, as the parent company of the Recaro Group, owns the Recaro brand and the independently operating companies Recaro Aircraft Seating (aircraft seats) based in Schwäbisch Hall and Recaro eGaming (gaming seats) based in Stuttgart, Germ ...
seats with embroidered Thunderbirds elements, unique sill plates and puddle lamps, a Ford Racing supercharger, suspension handling pack and
Brembo brakes.
The vehicle was sold at the Gathering of Eagles charity event during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. The vehicle was purchased by James Slattery of San Diego, California for $398,000.
Mustang Boss 302
Ford revived the Boss 302 nameplate for 2012. The standard 2011 Ford Mustang GT's
5.0-liter V8 is enhanced with an upgraded intake system, forged rotating assembly, CNC ported heads, revised camshafts and a high flow "runners in the box" intake taken from the 302R racecar.
[ It produces – over the standard GT's . The engine produces of torque, about of torque less at peak when compared to the standard GT, and comes with a six-speed MT-82 manual transmission. A 3.73 rear axle uses carbon fiber plates in its limited slip differential or an optional ]Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
differential.
The quad exhaust system is made up of two standard Mustang GT outlets and two side pipes that exit on either side of the rear crossover. The side pipes send the exhaust through a set of metal "attenuation" discs to create an extra growling exhaust sound. The discs are removable and include a spacer plate sized to match aftermarket exhaust dump valves.
The Boss 302 takes the Mustang GT's suspension and adds higher-rate coil springs, stiffer bushings, and a larger diameter rear stabilizer bar. The body is lowered up front and just in the rear to give it a more raked stance designed to recall the original. The shocks are adjustable at the shock tower by using a flat head screwdriver. The standard Mustang traction and stability control programs have been altered with a new intermediate sport mode designed to allow for more flexibility on the track.
The aero package is almost entirely copied from the Boss 302R race car. The 19-inch black-alloy racing wheels are 9-inches wide up front and 9.5-inches out back and come with Pirelli P-Zero tires.
While more powerful than a standard GT, the Boss 302 did not offer many of the luxury amenities of other Mustang models. Features not available on the Boss 302 included a premium audio system, a Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limi ...
phone system (the Ford Sync
Ford Sync (stylized Ford SYNC) is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. ...
system was added on later models), SiriusXM
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is an American broadcasting company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City that provides satellite radio and online radio services operating in the United States. It was formed by the 2008 merger of Sirius S ...
Satellite Radio
Satellite radio is defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s ITU Radio Regulations (RR) as a ''broadcasting-satellite service''. The satellite's signals are broadcast nationwide, across a much wider geographical area than ter ...
, and power-adjustable front seats.
Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition
The Boss 302 Laguna Seca Laguna Seca may refer to:
* Laguna Seca Formation, a geologic formation in California
* Laguna Seca (Mexico), see Convention of London
* Laguna Seca (Santa Clara County), a seasonal lake in California
* Laguna Seca, Texas, United States
* Rancho ...
edition is a further upgraded version of the Boss 302. Additions include Recaro
Recaro Holding, as the parent company of the Recaro Group, owns the Recaro brand and the independently operating companies Recaro Aircraft Seating (aircraft seats) based in Schwäbisch Hall and Recaro eGaming (gaming seats) based in Stuttgart, Germ ...
sport seats, a Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
limited-slip rear differential (both optional on the standard Boss 302), revised suspension tuning with unique spring and damper rates, and a larger rear stabilizer. The Laguna Seca model loses its rear seats, which are replaced by a cross-car X-brace to increase structural rigidity approximately 10%. It rides on 19X9-inch front and 19X10 inch rear light-weight alloy wheels with R-compound ultra high-performance tires. Ford Racing front brake ducts help cool the brakes.
The 2012 Laguna Seca Boss 302 comes in two colors – Black or Ingot Silver – with a red roof and red accents. For 2013, color choices include both School Bus Yellow and Black, both with reflective matte silver stripes. A more aggressive front splitter and a larger rear spoiler increase downforce for high speed track use. Only 750 Laguna Seca versions will be built each year for the two-year run (for a total of 1500).
The limited-edition Laguna Seca is designed to bridge the gap between the Boss 302 and the Boss 302R.
Shelby GT500
The 2010 Shelby GT500 was revealed by Ford through a press release on January 1, 2009, prior to a public unveiling at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Many of the basic design characteristics of the new GT500 are shared with that of the Mustang and Mustang GT. The GT500 gains the same exterior and interior updates as the 2010 Mustang and Mustang GT. The front fascia is new with larger upper and lower grilles, a unique hood, large fog lights mounted in the lower front fascia (similar to the previous GT500), Shelby's signature cobra badges on the grille, front fenders, and trunk lid medallion (with Shelby lettering over the medallion), 19-inch wheels (18-inch on the convertible model), and a Gurney Flap
The Gurney flap (or wickerbill) is a small tab projecting from the trailing edge of a wing. Typically it is set at a right angle to the pressure-side surface of the airfoil
and projects 1% to 2% of the wing chord.
This trailing edge device can i ...
rear spoiler. Inside the GT500 gains a cobra disc on the steering wheel, shift ball, and seats with embroidered cobras.
Mechanically the 2010 Shelby GT500 remains closely related to the 2007–2009 GT500, but the 2010 model has been upgraded with various features similar to or found in the 2008 Shelby GT500KR. A conical cold air intake
A cold air intake (CAI) is usually an aftermarket assembly of parts used to bring relatively cool air into a car's internal-combustion engine.
Most vehicles manufactured from the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s have thermostatic air intake syste ...
and other enhancements to the GT500's supercharged 5.4 L DOHC V8 have resulted in an increase in output to at 6200 rpm and at 4500 rpm, gains of and of torque over the 2007–2009 GT500 respectively. The Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission returns for the 2010 GT500 but has been enhanced with larger clutch discs ( versus the discs used previously) and other measures to increase performance and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control. Additionally, the fifth and sixth gear ratios of the transmission have been changed from 0.80 to 0.74 and 0.63 to 0.50 respectively, contributing to an improvement in fuel efficiency that the 2010 GT500 enjoys over its predecessor. Complementing the transmission's gear ratio changes is a new, more aggressive 3.55:1 ratio rear axle which replaces the 3.31:1 axle used previously. According to ''Inside Line
Edmunds.com Inc. (stylized as edmunds) is an American online resource for automotive inventory and information, including expert car reviews based on testing at the company's private facility. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, Califor ...
'', drivers of the new 2010 Shelby can expect 0 to times in 4.3 seconds from a stand still and 4 seconds flat with roll out. Elsewhere, the GT500's aluminum hood, in addition to be stylistically different from that of the Mustang and Mustang GT, features an air extractor that helps cool the engine. Various aerodynamic upgrades, such as the design of the front fascia and the aforementioned Gurney Flap spoiler, contribute to increased downward force and a reduced coefficient of drag. Suspension enhancements found in the GT500KR are used in the 2010 GT500 to improve handling and, specifically, provide better roll control. The 2010 GT500 features Ford's ''AdvanceTrac'' traction and stability control
Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...
system standard with different settings to control the level of performance the driver desires.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 was released in the spring of 2009.
2011–2012
For 2011, the Shelby GT500 received significant performance enhancements and other upgrades. Arguably the most important of the GT500's upgrades is a new aluminum engine block for the car's supercharged 5.4 L DOHC V8, replacing the cast-iron block used previously. The block's cylinder bores are coated with an iron and iron oxide composite that is applied with Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) technology, which was developed jointly by Ford and Flame-Spray Industries
Flame-Spray Industries, Inc. is a thermal spray company, that invented the plasma transferred wire arc thermal spraying process. They received the 2009 Intellectual Property Owners Association, IPO National Inventor of the Year award for this proc ...
. The developers of PTWA received the IPO 2009 National Inventor of the Year award. The coating allows for the replacement of traditional cast-iron cylinder liners and marks Ford's first use of this process. Between this and the use of lighter-weight aluminum for the engine block, the new block is lighter than the previous cast-iron version, contributing to a reduction in the overall weight of the GT500 compared to the 2010 model. Thanks to the new liner coating, which has friction-reducing characteristics, and a revised exhaust, horsepower production from the 5.4 L V8 has increased slightly for a total of at 6200 rpm. The combination of the lighter engine, EPAS, and aerodynamic enhancements result in an improvement in fuel efficiency for the 2011 GT500 relative to the 2010 model that eliminates the car's gas guzzler tax.
A newly optional ''SVT Performance Package'' includes a 3.73:1 rear axle, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires, forged aluminum 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch in the rear, as well as a firmer suspension tuning.
The 2011 Shelby GT500 gains the same non-powertrain related upgrades that standard V6 Mustangs and Mustang GTs. New features include standard HID headlights and a glass roof option.
2013
The 2013 Shelby GT500 features the 5.8L Trinity V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and u ...
rated at at 6500 rpm and at 4000 rpm of torque
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). It represents the capability of a force to produce change in the rotational motion of th ...
, with a top speed of .
The 2013 models gain a new front end sheet metal along with standard HID headlamps, along with a new LED tail light assembly. Performance changes include twin fuel pumps (a Mustang GT's single supply pump, twice over), larger fuel injectors, a grippier and larger-diameter clutch, a larger fan, a three-row intercooler (the previous car used a double-row unit), a beefed-up Tremec 6060 six-speed with an internal oil pump, and a single-piece carbon-fiber driveshaft. Larger Brembo front disc brakes with six-piston calipers, reinforced axle tubes, and aero tweaks to help the car reach 200+mph safely. Ford says the changes have resulted in a 14-percent reduction in drag and a 66-percent increase in front-end downforce. Also new for 2013 is a larger front anti-roll bar and retuned springs. An rpm-adjustable electronic launch-control function is standard, as is four-mode electronic stability control.
A Performance package is also offered, adding two-mode adjustable Bilstein dampers and a Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
limited-slip rear differential. In addition to the performance package, a track package for road racing can be ordered bringing a transmission cooler, a nose-mounted differential cooler for the Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. ''TO ...
limited-slip unit, and an air-to-oil engine-oil cooler.
Engines
Motorsports
Ten Mustangs are currently used in the SCCA World Challenge
The GT World Challenge America is a North American auto racing series launched in 1990 by the Sports Car Club of America. It has been managed by the Stephane Ratel Organisation since 2018, and has been sanctioned by the United States Auto Club ...
GTS Series.
Twelve Mustangs are currently used in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge
The Michelin Pilot Challenge is a grand touring and touring car racing series run by the International Motor Sports Association. Originating from the Canadian Motorola Cup, the series was taken over by Grand-Am in 2001 to become the Grand-Am Cu ...
Gran Sport class.
A Mustang resembling the Trans Am Series
The Trans-Am Series is a sports car racing series held in North America. Founded in 1966, it is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
Primarily based in the United States, the series competes on a variety of track types includ ...
Mustang driven by Parnelli Jones
Rufus Parnell Jones (born August 12, 1933) is an American former professional racing driver and racing team owner. He is notable for his accomplishments while competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Baja 1000 desert race. In 1962, he became the ...
has been entered in the Continental Challenge, tributing the fortieth anniversary of Parnelli's championship.
The Ford Mustang is used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series
The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) is a stock car racing series organized by NASCAR. It is promoted as NASCAR's second-tier circuit to the organization's top level Cup Series. NXS events are frequently held as a support race on the day prior to a ...
as a silhouette racing car A silhouette racing car is a race car which, although bearing a superficial resemblance to a production model, differs mechanically in fundamental ways. The purpose of silhouette cars is to provide a manufacturer with a tangible link to their con ...
beginning on July 2, 2010.
Mustangs have also been raced in the FIA GT3
Group GT3, known technically as Cup Grand Touring Cars and commonly referred to as simply GT3, is a set of regulations maintained by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for grand tourer racing cars designed for use in various au ...
and GT4 championships.
In 2012, Jack Roush
Jack Roush (born Jackson Earnest Roush on April 19, 1942) is the founder, CEO, and co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, a NASCAR team headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, and is chairman of Roush Enterprises.
Roush Enterprises is the ...
won the Daytona International Speedway's opening race of the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona, also known as the Rolex 24 At Daytona for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is run on the Sports Car Course layout ...
weekend in a Mustang Boss 302R. Leading the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge's final 18 laps, Johnson held off a veritable conga line of six BMW M3's behind as he closed on the driving pair's first win of 2012 in the BMW Performance 200 at Daytona.
Sales
References
External links
Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford Mustang (Fifth Generation)
Mustang 5th
Retro-style automobiles
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Coupés
Convertibles
Muscle cars
Cars introduced in 2004
2010s cars