Ford Mustang (United States of America, 2005-2014)

The fifth generation of Mustang, released in 2005, gets a minor facelift for 2012. This updated Mustang goes on sale in spring 2012 and not only offers a changed exterior, but the 5.0 liter V8, introduced in 2010,  gets more power. There is also a 4.3in LCD screen mounted between the tachometer and speedometer that can display performance information.

Styling changes

The changes to the exterior focus on the front of the car. The grill is more prominent protruding more from the front of the car, but it retains the foglights mounted in the grill. The Mustang gets standard HID headlamps on both models, V6 and V8, with LED running lights in the headlights as well.

The hood of V8 models have functional gills to keep the engine bay cooler. The rocker panels are painted in the body color to give the car a more uniform appearance. The tail lights have a smoked appearance with a black rear strip contrasting them.

The V6 models get 17in wheels while V8s get 19s. In a cheeky touch, there are lights in the Mustang pony logo embedded in the mirrors that shine on the ground when the car is unlocked. The V6 and V8 models get optional Recaro seats that are the same as the ones from the GT500 and Boss 302 models.

Engine and transmission updates

The 5.0 liter V8 has been tweaked thanks to what Ford learned while developing the Boss 302. The engine now produces 420hp, compared to 412 previously. Manual transmission cars come with a hill start assist for the first time. There is also an automatic transmission for the V8 with Select Shift. It can be shifted with a button located on the shifter.

GT Track Package

Also available on the 2013 Mustang is the GT Track Package available only on GT models with a manual transmission. It adds an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance brake pads and limited slip differential. It also adds 14in, vented Brembo brakes with 19in wheels. The Brembo brakes and wheels are also available separately as a package.

The final feature that Ford is adding to the Mustang in 2012 is a small, 4.2in LCD screen that displays performance information like 0-60 times and quarter-mile times. The screen is navigated with a five-way control located on the steering wheel.

Ford introduced the greatly redesigned fifth generation of the Mustang in 2004 at the North American International Auto Show.
The refreshed car featured a superior build quality and higher stiffness and was an immediate hit in Ford sales, as the Mustangs control a quite large percentage of cars sold in the United States (in the sports car category)

The Mustang’s front engine is available with displacement options that range from the base 4-liter model to the 5.4-liter top-of-the-range model.
Power outputs of the Mustang variants range from 210 to 315 hp.
This rear-wheel drive car achieves 140 mi/h (225 km/h) as the standard model’s top speed.
Transmission options vary among a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

  Platform D2C platform.   Suspension Front suspension consists on a reverse L McPherson struts with a stabilizer bar, coil springs and tube shocks. Its rear live axle is built with a stabilizer bar, a Panhard rod, coil springs and tube shocks.   Steering Power assisted rack-and-pinion steering.   Brakes ABS vented discs with front twin-piston calipers and rear single-piston calipers.

Sid Ramnarace was inspired by the 1960’s original Mustang cars when he came up with the body design for the 5th generation Mustang.
2-door convertible and 2-coupé body versions can be chosen by the customers.