2005 Mustang GT Inside Scoop
by CStingray78
2005 Ford Mustang GT
By: Chris Stephens (01/19/04)
Enthusiasts have been singing the praises of Cadillac's rebirth for the past few years as the luxury brand has released a whole new line cars and found stunning success. But would it then be to early to declare the same such revolution from the company that invented the assembly line? That thought might have crossed your mind as you wandered the various Ford displays at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Take the new Ford GT for example, or the amazing Shelby Cobra Concept.
Then consider what may be the most highly anticipated vehicle of the year--the 2005 Ford Mustang GT--set to go on sale this fall.
From Ford's perspective, it has got to be pretty exciting to hear diehard GM fans succumb to the fact that this may very well be the best Mustang to date. Ironically, it's not so much of a new concept that's creating the enormous buzz, it's an old concept. The new 2005 Ford Mustang GT borrows enormously from the late sixties era of style, form, and function.
From the front, the 2005 Ford Mustang GT finds a '67ish nose complete with the forward tilting grille featuring an oversized set of moonbeam headlights and the famous chrome running pony. The grille is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the new Mustang and its really quite amazing how well an old look can be morphed to look new. Swing around the side for a mean looking raked appearance featuring a '64ish fastback rear.
In spite of the enormous amount of borrowing from yester-year, the new Mustang retains a clean and distinctly modern look. The body is adorn with only a minimal helping of badging, scoops, louvers, et cetera. The FOX platform that has existed for more than twenty years has been replaced by the DEW98. You may notice the same shortened gap between the front wheels and the front bumper in the Lincoln LS; which shares a similar platform. Overall, the mustang sports a longer overall wheelbase than its predecessor (107.1 inches). The new platform should be much more rigid while maintaining a similar overall curb weight.
In order to ensure that the new Mustang remains in the realm of its main fan base, Ford has decided to forgo the use of an independent rear axle; a move that's sure to help certain automotive journalists reinforce their continued prejudice against domestic brands [My opinion of course]. At least do-it-yourselfers will able to have their own choice of gears installed without breaking the bank. Regardless, the 8.8 in. 3.31:1 live-axle has been revised from the old four-link rear to a setup featuring two lower trailing arms, a single upper link, and a Panhard rod for side-to-side stiffness. Up front, a new coil-over strut design should provide a much tighter, comfortable ride with less noise.
The all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 engine now features the same SOHC 3-valve cylinder heads and variable-cam-timing from the new F150. Expect 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 315 ft-lbs of torque at 4,500 rpm. The vehicle will be equipped with the Tremec 3650 five-speed manual transmission. That should help Pirelli sell a number of P235/55WR-17 replacement tires. Customers also have the option of BFGoodrich G-Force T/A P255/45ZR-18s.
Enthusiasts have been singing the praises of Cadillac's rebirth for the past few years as the luxury brand has released a whole new line cars and found stunning success. But would it then be to early to declare the same such revolution from the company that invented the assembly line? That thought might have crossed your mind as you wandered the various Ford displays at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Take the new Ford GT for example, or the amazing Shelby Cobra Concept.
Then consider what may be the most highly anticipated vehicle of the year--the 2005 Ford Mustang GT--set to go on sale this fall.
From Ford's perspective, it has got to be pretty exciting to hear diehard GM fans succumb to the fact that this may very well be the best Mustang to date. Ironically, it's not so much of a new concept that's creating the enormous buzz, it's an old concept. The new 2005 Ford Mustang GT borrows enormously from the late sixties era of style, form, and function.
From the front, the 2005 Ford Mustang GT finds a '67ish nose complete with the forward tilting grille featuring an oversized set of moonbeam headlights and the famous chrome running pony. The grille is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the new Mustang and its really quite amazing how well an old look can be morphed to look new. Swing around the side for a mean looking raked appearance featuring a '64ish fastback rear.
The all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 engine now features the same SOHC 3-valve cylinder heads and variable-cam-timing from the new F150. Expect 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 315 ft-lbs of torque at 4,500 rpm. The vehicle will be equipped with the Tremec 3650 five-speed manual transmission. That should help Pirelli sell a number of P235/55WR-17 replacement tires. Customers also have the option of BFGoodrich G-Force T/A P255/45ZR-18s.
i cant wait to see these beasts on the road...i think its a classic in the making!
Im waiting for them to. Im going to try and go test drive one when they first come out. Then again maybe i shouldnt becuase i would end up wanting one. Oh well.
Jeremy
Jeremy
yeah true...but you know someone we know will buy one and we'll get a ride! i know a guy who had one on order since last year....and he's a GM guy, go figure
, damn you Steve! 