|  | | | INTENTIONALLY BOLD, UNIQUELY HONEST, PURELY AMERICAN
Convertible cruising is often considered more genteel than spirited driving in a coupe, because, when manufacturers re-engineer a hardtop into a ragtop, too often some of the car's road personality is lost in the translation. The 2005 Mustang convertible loses none of the Mustang character in soft-top form. The timeless design cues and fun-to-drive dynamics that have made the 2005 Mustang coupe an instant success story are not diminished in the 2005 Mustang convertible. Both Mustang coupe and convertible share close-cropped greenhouses and strong aggressive shoulders, lending them a powerful stance.
TWO VERSIONS, BOTH AUTHENTIC
Like the coupe, the 2005 Mustang convertible is available in V-6 as well as V-8-powered GT models. Up front, the V-8 Mustang GT has a more aggressive face, with circular fog lamps in the grille directly in line with the headlamps. The lower fascia is upright, with an "air dam" performance look.
The V-6 has a uniform honeycomb grille and a swept-back lower fascia that incorporates horizontal vents. Both grilles feature the classic galloping pony Mustang logo.
From the side, the Mustang GT convertible looks planted, low and aggressive, thanks to its body-color lower rocker extension. Differences between the two models' rear fascia panels are driven by performance considerations. The GT features semi-circular cutouts behind each wheel to accommodate the car's large tail pipe tips.
Both the V-6 and GT boast tri-bar taillamps and a circular chrome Mustang badge centered in the rear face of the decklid. Edges of the large badge are knurled with generous, square-shouldered cutouts, adding to the car's powerful, machined-billet image. On V-6 models, the Mustang pony logo is centered on a black field; GT versions get a specific GT badge.
A NOD TO THE PAST - LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
There is no mistaking the new Mustang convertible as the latest evolution of the nameplate's long line of intentionally bold, uniquely honest, purely American sports cars. Its signature long hood and short rear deck play on 40 years of history, as does its classic "notchback" roof design - cues that have helped define Mustangs since the 1960s.
"The new Mustang is pure American muscle," says Mays. "But rest assured, we're not insisting on history at the expense of our future."
The new Ford Mustang convertible makes a design statement inside and out, but occupant comfort makes a resounding statement all its own.
A SOLID FOUNDATION
Cowl shake, rattles and quivers are enemies of convertible models based on coupe platforms. It is the harsh reality of taking a car and removing the roof structure. Engineers spend time and money adding reinforcements to increase structural integrity, but rarely does this eliminate the wiggles inherent to a coupe that loses its roof. The 2005 Mustang convertible, on the other hand, left the drawing board as a convertible engineered to convey true solidity with the top down.
previous page | go to Page12 |
| |
