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The Crowd Pleaser
Some cars have names that evoke memories and good times. Ask just about anybody what one of their favourite antique or muscle cars is and I am willing to bet that the words "Ford Mustang" will be uttered. It is no wonder then that the new Mustang is such a hit. Lee Iacocca had a vision in the early 60s and before he knew it, he had created one of the most popular sporty cars in history.
The Ford Mustang was quite a car in the 60s and early 70s. It was so fashionable that in 1966, the millionth Mustang had already been built and sold. The Mustang's popularity continued to grow as did its size and power over the following decades. 1979 marked the last complete overhaul of the Pony car until now, the all-new 2005 Mustang. Style-wise it is a throwback to the Mustangs from the late 60s and, like the original, has wasted no time in making its way into the public's heart. The Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC) was also smitten as it awarded the Mustang "Best New Design", "Best New Sports/Performance Car" and "Canadian Car of the Year". Let's find out why.
The base coupe is priced from $23,995 all the way up to
about $43,000 for a GT convertible with options. We tested a GT Coupe that retailed for $34,895, a GT Convertible at $38,920 and a V6 Convertible with an asking price of $29,670.
Styling
The new Mustang is certainly hot and good looking. It is the type of design that once someone knows what the car is, they will never forget its name. Even for those not in the know, the Mustang is undoubtedly a Mustang. The large flat-like hood with bulge, the entire front fascia and the rear taillight treatment are some of the most obvious clues that the 1967-69 cars served as the principal sources of inspiration for the drawing of the new car. My favourite touch is the elevated oversized rear hips that strangely remind me of the Dodge Charger...
The GT further distinguishes itself with the addition of its quad front lights and 17" wheels. A small detail with the Mustang is that nowhere on the car will you see the word Mustang. Only if the car is ordered with the interior upgrade package will there be satin aluminium door sill scuff plates with bright MUSTANG lettering inserts. The convertible's power roof requires that two latches be undone for it to descend in about 30 seconds. The side-view mirrors are large and visibility overall is decent for both the coupe and convertible.
The interior materials and fit and finish are unfortunately quite cheap (I would normally not overlook this fact) but in the case of the Mustang, it is all about what is under the hood and how fast you can get to your destination. The dashboard design is retro and gets the job done. Ergonomically speaking, all controls are well within reach and simple to operate. The GT Coupe and V6 that we drove were delivered to us with the optional red leather interior that threw me back to the land of make-believe where I bought a brand-new 1968 white Mustang Convertible with a red vinyl interior.
The front seats are quite large and flat and do not provide much lateral support. They are however, very comfortable. The rear bench can actually accommodate a pair of adults in relative cosiness.
The Crowd Pleaser
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The Ford Mustang was quite a car in the 60s and early 70s. It was so fashionable that in 1966, the millionth Mustang had already been built and sold. The Mustang's popularity continued to grow as did its size and power over the following decades. 1979 marked the last complete overhaul of the Pony car until now, the all-new 2005 Mustang. Style-wise it is a throwback to the Mustangs from the late 60s and, like the original, has wasted no time in making its way into the public's heart. The Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC) was also smitten as it awarded the Mustang "Best New Design", "Best New Sports/Performance Car" and "Canadian Car of the Year". Let's find out why.
The base coupe is priced from $23,995 all the way up to
about $43,000 for a GT convertible with options. We tested a GT Coupe that retailed for $34,895, a GT Convertible at $38,920 and a V6 Convertible with an asking price of $29,670. Styling
The new Mustang is certainly hot and good looking. It is the type of design that once someone knows what the car is, they will never forget its name. Even for those not in the know, the Mustang is undoubtedly a Mustang. The large flat-like hood with bulge, the entire front fascia and the rear taillight treatment are some of the most obvious clues that the 1967-69 cars served as the principal sources of inspiration for the drawing of the new car. My favourite touch is the elevated oversized rear hips that strangely remind me of the Dodge Charger...
The GT further distinguishes itself with the addition of its quad front lights and 17" wheels. A small detail with the Mustang is that nowhere on the car will you see the word Mustang. Only if the car is ordered with the interior upgrade package will there be satin aluminium door sill scuff plates with bright MUSTANG lettering inserts. The convertible's power roof requires that two latches be undone for it to descend in about 30 seconds. The side-view mirrors are large and visibility overall is decent for both the coupe and convertible.
The interior materials and fit and finish are unfortunately quite cheap (I would normally not overlook this fact) but in the case of the Mustang, it is all about what is under the hood and how fast you can get to your destination. The dashboard design is retro and gets the job done. Ergonomically speaking, all controls are well within reach and simple to operate. The GT Coupe and V6 that we drove were delivered to us with the optional red leather interior that threw me back to the land of make-believe where I bought a brand-new 1968 white Mustang Convertible with a red vinyl interior.
The front seats are quite large and flat and do not provide much lateral support. They are however, very comfortable. The rear bench can actually accommodate a pair of adults in relative cosiness.