Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is a car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car.[1] Introduced early on April 17, 1964,[2] the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A.[3] The Mustang created the "pony car" class of American automobilesports car-like coupes with long hoods and short rear decks[4]and gave rise to competitors such as GM's Chevrolet Camaro,[5] AMC's Javelin,[6] and Chrysler's revamped Plymouth Barracuda.[7] It also inspired coups such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, which were exported to the United States. The Mustang is Ford's third oldest nameplate[citation needed] in production and has undergone several transformations to its current fifth generation.

Background
Production of the 1965 Mustang (VIN coded by Ford and titled as 1965 models[8]) began in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964[9] and the car was introduced to the public on April 17, 1964[10] at the New York World's Fair.[11] It is Ford's third oldest nameplate[citation needed] currently in production next to the F-Series pickup truck line (which has undergone major nameplate changes over the years) and the Falcon that is still in production in Australia.

First generation (1964 1973)

1964 Mustang

As Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey was the head engineer for the T-5 projectsupervising the overall development of the car in a record 18 months[18][19]while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager. The T-5 prototype was a two-seat, mid-mounted engine roadster. This vehicle employed a Taunus (Ford Germany) V4 engine and was very similar in appearance to the much later Pontiac Fiero. It was claimed that the decision to abandon the two-seat design was in part due to the low sales experienced with the 2-seat 1955 Thunderbird. To broaden market appeal it was later remodeled as a four-seat car (with full space for the front bucket seats, as originally planned, and a rear bench seat with significantly less space than was common at the time). A "Fastback 2+2" model traded the conventional trunk space for increased interior volume as well as giving exterior lines similar to those of the second series of the Corvette Sting Ray and European sports cars such as the Jaguar E-Type.The "Fastback 2+2" was not available as a 1964 model, but was first manufactured on August 17, 1964. The new design was styled under the direction of Project Design Chief Joe Oros and his team of L. David Ash, Gale Halderman, and John Foster[20][21]in Ford's LincolnMercury Division design studios, which produced the winning design in an intramural design contest instigated by Iacocca.

Favorable publicity articles appeared in 2,600 newspapers the next morning, the day the car was "officially" revealed.[22][23] A Mustang also appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September 1964, the first time the car was used in a movie.[24] To cut down the development cost and achieve a suggested retail price of US$2,368, the Mustang was based heavily on familiar yet simple components, many of which were already in production for other Ford models. Many (if not most) of the interior, chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components were derived from those used on Ford's Falcon and Fairlane. This use of common components also shortened the learning curve for assembly and repair workers, while at the same time allowing dealers to pick up the Mustang without also having to spend massive amounts of money on spare parts inventories to support the new car line.

Second generation (1974 1978)

1974 1978 Mustang II.

Lee Iacocca, who had been one of the forces behind the original Mustang, became President of Ford Motor Company in 1970 and ordered a smaller, more fuel-efficient Mustang for 1974. Initially it was to be based on the Ford Maverick, but ultimately was based on the Ford Pinto subcompact. The new model, called the "Mustang II", was introduced two months before the first 1973 oil crisis, and its reduced size allowed it to compete against imported sports coups such as the Japanese Toyota Celica and the European Ford Capri[citation needed] (then Ford-built in Germany and Britain, sold in U.S. by Mercury as a captive import car). First-year sales were 385,993 cars, compared with the original Mustang's twelve-month sales record of 418,812.[29] Lee Iacocca wanted the new car, which returned the Mustang to its 1964 predecessor in size, shape, and overall styling,[30] to be finished to a high standard, saying it should be "a little jewel."[31] However not only was it smaller than the original car, but it was also heavier, owing to the addition of equipment needed to meet new U.S. emission and safety regulations. Performance was reduced, and despite the car's new handling and engineering features the galloping mustang emblem "became a less muscular steed that seemed to be cantering."[32] The car was available in coup and hatchback versions, including a "luxury" Ghia model designed by Ford's rececently acquired Ghia of Italy. Changes introduced in 1975 included reinstatement of the 302 CID V8 option (after being without a V8 option for the 1974 model year) and availability of an economy option called the "MPG Stallion". Other changes in appearance and performance came with a "Cobra II" version in 1976 & 1977 and a "King Cobra" in 1978.

Third generation (1979 1993)

The 1979 Mustang was based on the longer Fox platform (initially developed for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr). The interior was restyled to accommodate four people in comfort despite a smaller rear seat. Body styles included a coup, (notchback), hatchback, and

convertible. Available trim levels included L, GL, GLX, LX, GT, Turbo GT (198384), SVO (198486), Cobra (197981; 1993), and Cobra R (1993). In response to slumping sales and escalating fuel prices during the early 1980s, a new Mustang was in development. It was to be a variant of the Mazda MX-6 assembled at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan. Enthusiasts wrote to Ford objecting to the proposed change to a front-wheel drive, Japanese-designed Mustang without a V8 option. The result was a major facelift of the existing Mustang in 1987, while the MX-6 variant became the 1989 Ford Probe.

Fourth generation (1994 2004)

In 1994 the Mustang underwent its first major redesign in fifteen years. Code-named "SN-95" by the automaker, it was based on an updated version of the rear-wheel drive Fox platform called "Fox-4." The new styling by Patrick Schiavone incorporated several styling cues from earlier Mustangs.[33] For the first time since 1974, a hatchback coupe model was unavailable. The base model came with a 3.8 OHV V6 (232 cid) engine rated at 145 bhp (108 kW) in 1994 and 1995, or 150 bhp (110 kW) (19961998), and was mated to a standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. Though initially used in the 1994 and 1995 Mustang GT, Ford retired the 302 cid pushrod small-block V8 after nearly 40 years of use, replacing it with the newer Modular 4.6 L (281 cid) SOHC V8 in the 1996 Mustang GT. The 4.6 L V8 was initially rated at 215 bhp (160 kW), 19961997, but was later increased to 225 bhp (168 kW) in 1998.[34] For 1999, the Mustang received Ford's New Edge styling theme with sharper contours, larger wheel arches, and creases in its bodywork, but its basic proportions, interior design, and chassis remained the same as the previous model. The Mustang's powertrains were carried over for 1999, but benefited from new improvements. The standard 3.8 L V6 had a new split-port induction system, and was rated at 190 bhp (140 kW) 19992004,[35] while the Mustang GT's 4.6 L V8 saw an increase in output to 260 bhp (190 kW) (19992004), due to a new head design and other enhancements. There were also three alternate models offered in this generation: the 2001 Bullitt, the 2003 and 2004 Mach 1, as well as the 320 bhp (240 kW) 1999 & 2001,[36][37] and 390 bhp (290 kW) 20032004[38] Cobra.

Fifth generation (2005 present)

At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Ford introduced a completely redesigned Mustang, codenamed "S-197," that was based on an all-new D2C platform for the 2005 model year. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and exterior styling designer Sid Ramnarace,[39] the fifth-generation Mustang's styling echoes the fastback Mustangs of the late 1960s. Ford's senior vice president of design, J Mays, called it "retro-futurism." The fifth-generation Mustang is manufactured at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.

2005-2009 models

The base model was powered by a 210 hp (157 kW) cast-iron block 4.0 L SOHC V6 that replaced the 3.8 L pushrod V6 used previously. The Mustang GT used an aluminum block 4.6 L SOHC 3-valve Modular V8 with variable camshaft timing (VCT) that produced 300 hp (224 kW). Base Mustangs came with a Tremec T-5 5-speed manual transmission while Ford's own 5R55S 5-speed automatic was optional. The Mustang GT featured the same automatic transmission as the V6 model, but the manual transmission GT was equipped with a heavier duty Tremec TR-3650 5-speed.[40] Ford announced in July 2007 that all 2008 Mustangs would have seats containing material derived from soybeans.[41] A new option for the 2009 Mustang was the glass roof. This $1,995 option was in effect a full roof sunroof that splits the difference in price and purpose of the coupe and convertible models.[42]
2010 model

The redesigned 2010 model year Mustang was released in the spring of 2009. It continued on the D2C platform and most of the previous-year's drivetrain options. The exterior was revised with only the roof panel being retained, achieving a drag coefficient reduction of 4% on V6 models and 7% on the GT models.[43] The V6 for base Mustangs remained unchanged, while the Mustang GT's 4.6 L V8 was revised to specifications similar to that of the 20082009 Mustang Bullitt's 4.6 L V8, resulting in 315 hp (235 kW) at 6000 rpm and 325 lbft (441 Nm) of torque at 4250 rpm.[44] Other mechanical features included new spring rates and dampers to improve ride quality and control, standard traction control system and stability control system on all models, and new wheel sizes.
2011 model

Ford revised all the Mustang's engines for 2011, while retaining almost the same body styling from the previous year. Transmission options for the V6 or GT include a 6-speed manual or 6speed automatic. Also, an Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system removes the conventional hydraulic power steering pump. This system does not use belts as previously required, and allows for easier turning in low speed situations, while providing firmer control at higher speeds. The new V6 includes a smaller 3.7 L (actually 3.72 L or 227 cu. in.) aluminum block engine weighing 40 lb (18 kg) less than the outgoing version. The engine has 24 valves (4 valves per cylinder) and Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (TiVCT). These cams control intake and exhaust functions of the vehicle to maximize combustion and efficiency, producing 305 hp (227 kW) and 280 lbft (380 Nm) of torque. Fuel economy is rated by the EPA at 19 MPG city and 29 MPG / 31 MPG highway (with a manual or automatic transmission, respectively).

Ford announced on December 28, 2009 that the 2011 Mustang GT would feature a 5.0 engine (actually 4.95 L or 302.15 cu. in.) that produces 412 hp (307 kW) and 390 lbft (530 Nm) of torque on "premium fuel" (gasoline with an octane rating of 91). These numbers fall to 402 hp (300 kW) and 377 lbft (511 Nm) when using "regular fuel" (gasoline with an octane rating of 87).[45] This Ford "Coyote" engine has 32 valves (4 valves per cylinder) with Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (TiVCT). An optional Brembo brake upgrade is available, which features brakes previously used on the Shelby GT500. A set of 19-inch wheels and performance tires is also included.[46] Also new for the 2011 Mustang GT is the 6 speed manual transmission. The Shelby GT500's 5.4 L supercharged V8 block is now made out of aluminum making it 102 lb (46 kg) lighter than the iron units in previous years, and is now rated at 550 hp (410 kW) and 510 lbft (690 Nm) of torque.[47]

Awards
The 1965 Mustang won the Tiffany Gold Medal for excellence in American design, the first automobile ever to do so. The Mustang was on the Car and Driver Ten Best list in 1983, 1987, 1988, 2005, 2006, and 2011. It won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 1974 and 1994. In 2005 it was runner-up to the Chrysler 300 for the North American Car of the Year award and was named Canadian Car of the Year.[50]