Italy takes on the new Mustang - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Tech · 11-29-2006, 08:29 AM

i wasn't sure when i first saw it, but after a little inspection i gotta say i think this is one hot car. it has so many details augmented that i sometimes feel like "what is that mustang badge doing on there?" it definately has a european feel, almost like a mustang and an aston martin had a baby.

Quote:

The 2005 Ford Mustang captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans and future owners when the all-new model debuted. But the proportions and design of Ford’s first purpose-built muscle car in 30-plus years caught the eyes and sparked the imaginations of a pair of the world’s leading coachbuilders in Italy as well.

“When we saw the new Mustang, we knew two things: It was the best we’d seen since the original, and we had to get our hands on one,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro, styling director of Italdesign – Giugiaro S.P.A. “We still believe it’s important to show the automotive world pure exercises in style that interpret key models reflecting the history and image of important brands.”

So in early 2005, Giugiaro pitched J Mays, Ford Motor Company’s group vice president, Design and chief creative officer, on his idea to do an Italian job on the beloved Mustang. The result: Mustang by Giugiaro – a one-of-a-kind concept powered by Ford Racing technologies, marking the Italian coachbuilder’s first reveal at the inaugural November Los Angeles Auto Show.

“It seemed only fitting,” said Mays. “This design study reinforces the global appeal of Mustang, yet it’s right at home in L.A. – America’s most enthusiastic performance and muscle car market. Plus, design icon Giorgetto Giugairo’s offer to work his magic on Mustang alongside his son underscores the timelessness allure of Ford’s most iconic car.”

Design aficionados will remember that the senior Giugiaro – who last year celebrated his 50th anniversary in the business by designing a custom-made Ferrari, the GG50 – created the 1965 Bertone Mustang. The car, which was unmistakably Italian in its interpretation, became the first European-styled car to make its international debut in America following the end of World War II.

The senior Giugiaro’s portfolio includes concept and production designs for nearly every automaker in the world – from Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen to Mazda, Lotus and Bugatti. Since joining ItalDesign, the family firm, in 1990, Fabrizio Giugiaro has helped deliver key global designs as well, but American automotive icons have long captured his attention.

He designed the Chevrolet Corvette Moray, unveiled in early 2003, and was eager to expand the collection of Giugiaro-interpreted American metal.

Fabrizio Giugiaro led the 2-D design process on the Mustang by Giugiaro concept, allowing him to deliver a complete exterior model from the family’s Turin, Italy, studios in just four months.

Visually, the Mustang by Giugiaro appears more compact than the production car, thanks to a reduction of the rear overhang and a signature Giugiaro “trick” of tapering the angles on the car to the limit of its mechanical outlines.

Still, the Italian version of America’s most popular muscle car hasn’t lost any of its swagger.

The vibrant orange concept is wider than the production version. The Giugiaros added 30 millimeters to the front, gradually expanding the width by a full 80 millimeters toward the rear, which is typical in Italian design.

With its longer hood and the trunk barely visible, the car looks more of a fastback in side view. But details throughout reinforce the freedom and rebellion synonymous with Mustang. Fabrizio Giugiaro’s favorites include:

The interior – featuring a dramatic instrument panel that sweeps the width of the car; circular gauges that project from behind the steering wheel; dark brown horsehide-covered headrests with horse logo accents; and seat cushions and backrests elaborately upholstered in dark brown mottled horse hides.

The single curved glass panel that bridges the windshield and rear window, serving as the concept’s roof. Produced by Solutia of Detroit, the panel is made from a special type of crystal that filters out 100 percent of UVA rays while providing unfettered vista views.

Its dramatic doors, which are hinged at the base of the upright A-pillar and open vertically at the touch of a button.

Bespoke taillights, which are three separate elements as found on the 1964 Mustang – but reinterpreted into a more dramatic arrow shape that links to the louver panels that replace the rear side windows.

The visible curl that sweeps into the crest of the concept’s carbon fiber fenders, hinting at tail fins that defined American cars of the ‘50s.
The sporting-but-elegant unique 20-inch rims, fitted with 275/40 tires on the front and larger 315/35 tires on the rear.

As its wheels and tires suggest, the Mustang by Giugiaro is more than just a tribute to Mustang design. It also is an exclamation of the car’s heritage of performance.

The concept features a powertrain and chassis enhanced in conjunction with Ford Racing – which is responsible for Ford Motor Company motorsports development and operations.

Ford Racing improved on the already-robust 300 horsepower all-aluminum 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine in the production Mustang GT by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger for the new concept. Additional improvements include fuel injectors from the Ford GT and a unique engine calibration. Engine air intake is increased with a larger 95 mm mass air meter and a conical air filter. Exhaust performance is enhanced with new Ford Racing mufflers and an X-pipe.

The powertrain upgrades deliver an estimated 500 horsepower, complete with a boost level of 11 psi from the Ford Racing supercharger. A high-efficiency Ford Racing aluminum radiator provides increased cooling capability to accompany the extra 200 horsepower provided under hood.

Under the car, the FR500C-inspired chassis tuning is accomplished with a tailored Ford Racing Handling Pack. This package, available through Ford Racing for the Mustang GT, adds new Dynamic-tuned dampers, lowering springs and anti-sway bars. The changes give the car a lower stance while sharpening handling response. The car rides approximately 1.5 inches lower than the production Mustang GT.

“The Mustang by Giugiaro drives as good as it looks,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro. “After taking it to the limits on streets outside of Turin, I can honestly say this car was well worth the 30,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears that we invested to create a modern performance classic.”

ironman · 11-29-2006, 09:18 AM

Sexy, this is a true stallion.

fresnelly · 11-29-2006, 09:49 AM

That's fantastic. These guys are 10 years ahead of Ford.

cyrnel · 11-29-2006, 10:11 AM

Something about the bubble-top makes me think "Woody Allen meets Citroen." It needs a roofline, even if just a visual break. I'd prefer something structural. Those a-pillars & glass wouldn't do much in a rollover except be mercifully quick.

I like the rest.

Willravel · 11-29-2006, 12:32 PM

That's so much better than the 2006-2007 Mustang.

Daniel_ · 11-29-2006, 12:33 PM

First thought is that I like it a lot.

Not so sure about the doors, but it'd be handy where I live (given the space constraints in my parking).

powerclown · 11-29-2006, 01:04 PM

A W E S O M E

Ilow · 11-29-2006, 02:59 PM

looks good, but what will they do about the shitty handling and the live real axle?

blade02 · 11-30-2006, 06:36 AM

I guess I'm the only one that doesn't like it. Mostly because 1) from the side it looks too much like a 350z. 2) Lambo doors on anything but a lambo are retarded. 3) and my main sticking point... is that its like they went BACKWARDS instead of forwards with the styling. True, the new Mustangs went backwards, but they went back a few generations to the "roots" of the Mustang. This concept looks alot like they took the SN95 mustang front end and slapped in on the front of the new one. So they dont even get any points for originality. (on a side note, if you ever see pics of the interior be prepared to either laugh or puke, the seats are upholstered to look like palamino horse hide).

KirStang · 11-30-2006, 08:32 AM

Yea...I don't like the headlights, and though the lines flow, it just looks a little odd to me, even disproportionate. I'd take a regular 05' GT body over it..

But that's just me =)

fastom · 12-01-2006, 12:45 AM

I'm not fussy on those headlights either. I don't like the taillights breaking over the top. I love the fastback rear pillars but i can't imagine that one piece roof/windshield being practical. Can you imagine the grief changing it, or having to ship one?

tfpfreak · 12-01-2006, 11:06 AM

Im not a big fan of the mustang, to each his/her own, but i do have to say it's definitely not a bad looking ride. I agree that it looks so much better than the '06 or '07 model.

LoganSnake · 12-01-2006, 11:51 AM

It has a hideous ass, but I really like everything else. It looks leagues better than the ugly U.S. version of the Mustang.

Ch'i · 12-01-2006, 01:27 PM

It seems Ford could learn alot from Italdesign...

Ambition · 12-17-2006, 03:28 PM

That looks like one amazing machine. They did a great job with the mods.

DEI37 · 12-19-2006, 08:25 PM

Who's that sitting in the car?

Tech · 12-20-2006, 05:53 AM

^ i assumed Giugiaro

j8ear · 12-20-2006, 08:58 PM

Two observations:

1. Imagine the bill replacing that windshield.
2. That is the most spectacular parking lot I have ever seen!!!!

As far as the car is concerned....eh.

-bear

Xerxys · 05-13-2008, 11:53 PM

I was Angry at Tech for posting this before me, then I was angry at Kirstang for the hurtfull words he said, but I now have to cry myself to sleep after the painful comments of tfpfreak!!!

Why in heavens name wouldn't you worship this vehicle. I want nothing else but to own it!! Not only am I a huge fan of the 1965 model of the Mustang, but this car really screams lovely. I don't think I would change anything!!!

For those of you who don't like the headlights, curious what do you think of the headlights of the new Mazda 3??

What's this I hear about handling?? I've never quite driven a mustang before, I've just idealized it until all other cars became ugly to me!! I drive a very fuel efficient Chevrolet Malibu, nothing good about it, except the gas!!

Cynthetiq · 05-14-2008, 12:13 AM

well you're about 1.5 years too late...

re: the glass roof, Mercedes has had an option for glass roofs for some time now. Mustangs will receive the option for next model year 2009. Breaks in the glass remove some of that "cost" if there's a chip in the windscreen.

Quote:

View: FORD ADDS GLASS ROOF OPTION TO MUSTANG LINEUP, MEETING CUSTOMER DESIRE FOR MORE NATURAL LIGHT
Source: Autounleashed
posted with the TFP thread generator

FORD ADDS GLASS ROOF OPTION TO MUSTANG LINEUP, MEETING CUSTOMER DESIRE FOR MORE NATURAL LIGHT
FORD ADDS GLASS ROOF OPTION TO MUSTANG LINEUP, MEETING CUSTOMER DESIRE FOR MORE NATURAL LIGHT

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 11, 2007 – Hot on the heels of the new Ford Bullitt Mustang and the new Shelby GT500KR, America’s favorite muscle car drives into its 45th anniversary year sporting a new factory-installed glass roof.

The 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang provides a third roof option for customers and responds to their growing desire for more natural light. Production of large sunroofs has increased nearly 200 percent in North America since 2003, according to Just-auto. The growth is driven, in part, by consumers’ daily commute time. The number of consumers with commutes lasting more than 60 minutes grew by almost 50 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The new glass roof will be available as an option on both the V-6 Mustang and Mustang GT beginning next summer.

At $1,995, the new roof provides customers a less expensive option than a convertible, without compromising the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment.

“Mustang is an icon in our product lineup, and we are committed to keeping Mustang news fresh every year,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “As the automotive landscape becomes increasingly competitive, features such as a panoramic glass roof will help differentiate our products from the competition.”

Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and it remains the best-selling convertible. The new glass roof addresses the fact that 62 percent of buyers in the sports car segment are interested in a sunroof or moonroof on their next vehicle, according to J.D. Power and Associates research.

Mustang’s Glass Roof is made of tinted privacy glass, which reduces both infrared rays and vehicle cool-down time by 50 percent. A manual roller blind is built in, allowing owners to further control exposure on sunny days.

The specially formulated glass also protects interior fabric material from solar radiation deterioration and discoloration by reducing solar light transmittance. To help improve acoustics and Mustang’s interior quietness, the glass also features a layer of vinyl that reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

The glass roof Mustang is built like a coupe and has been developed to maintain the structural integrity of Mustang. The glass itself is safety glass, meaning that it shatters without sharp or jagged edges, like other automotive glass.

Glass Roof Mustangs will be assembled at the Automotive Alliance International plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The unique glass is installed at Ford’s adjacent vehicle personalization facility.

Like its coupe and convertible counterparts, the Glass Roof Mustang has endured a battery of tests measuring quality and craftsmanship.

During the development phase, production-level prototypes ran through a rigorous prove-out, including various water, air leakage, durability, squeak and rattle and vehicle dynamics tests. Top quality drives the development team – as evidenced by Mustang’s first-in-its segment ranking in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates IQS, VDS and APEAL studies.

“Quality is a continuous process. The whole team is passionate about it, which results in our paying attention to the smallest details,” says Paul Randle, chief nameplate engineer. “Our owners have high expectations, and we always want to meet them – with strong features like this new roof option, quality and performance.”

re: the Madza 3 headlights, they match the car and look fine on it. The 3 heritage goes back to the (Mazda 323) Great Little Car or GLC for you old old timers.

as for driving the Malibu... ick. I rented one once, and promptly turned right around and exchanged it for something else. I don't think I even got out of the parking lot.

lotsofmagnets · 05-14-2008, 05:21 AM

i tend not to like american and american styled cars at all (volvo person myself) but let me just say HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!! that is one seriously mean looking car it looks like it could tear you apart before you even started it.

want.

Xerxys · 05-14-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

as for driving the Malibu... ick. I rented one once, and promptly turned right around and exchanged it for something else. I don't think I even got out of the parking lot.

""Puts on fake ghetto Brooklyn accent"" - 'Don't be hatin' on my car yo!!

'

But your'e right though, I only like it because of the gas, it's handling is great!! It runs perfect for me!! It's just, there's no way to say this better, HIDEOUS!! I wear a hood and dark sunglasses before I let anyone see me in it.

The picture you posted isn't a giugaro mustang, does anyone know if the main car will ever go on sale at some point in time or is it possible to transform a regular '05 mustang into that!!!

echo5delta · 05-14-2008, 09:26 PM

How sad is it that I'm thinking to myself "Why does Fabrizio Giuigiaro support lameass Torino instead of Juve? Or even Inter?"

(/footy guy)

11-29-2006, 09:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
ironman Smithers, release the hounds Location: Guatemala, Guatemala	Sexy, this is a true stallion. __________________ If I agreed with you we´d both be wrong

11-29-2006, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	That's fantastic. These guys are 10 years ahead of Ford. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

11-29-2006, 10:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Something about the bubble-top makes me think "Woody Allen meets Citroen." It needs a roofline, even if just a visual break. I'd prefer something structural. Those a-pillars & glass wouldn't do much in a rollover except be mercifully quick. I like the rest. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

11-29-2006, 12:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	First thought is that I like it a lot. Not so sure about the doors, but it'd be handy where I live (given the space constraints in my parking). __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

11-29-2006, 02:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ilow Junkie Location: Pats country	looks good, but what will they do about the shitty handling and the live real axle? __________________ "Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris

11-29-2006, 12:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	That's so much better than the 2006-2007 Mustang.

11-29-2006, 01:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	A W E S O M E

11-30-2006, 06:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
blade02 Insane	I guess I'm the only one that doesn't like it. Mostly because 1) from the side it looks too much like a 350z. 2) Lambo doors on anything but a lambo are retarded. 3) and my main sticking point... is that its like they went BACKWARDS instead of forwards with the styling. True, the new Mustangs went backwards, but they went back a few generations to the "roots" of the Mustang. This concept looks alot like they took the SN95 mustang front end and slapped in on the front of the new one. So they dont even get any points for originality. (on a side note, if you ever see pics of the interior be prepared to either laugh or puke, the seats are upholstered to look like palamino horse hide).

11-30-2006, 08:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
KirStang Future Bureaucrat	Yea...I don't like the headlights, and though the lines flow, it just looks a little odd to me, even disproportionate. I'd take a regular 05' GT body over it.. But that's just me =)

12-01-2006, 12:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
fastom Psycho Location: way out west	I'm not fussy on those headlights either. I don't like the taillights breaking over the top. I love the fastback rear pillars but i can't imagine that one piece roof/windshield being practical. Can you imagine the grief changing it, or having to ship one?

12-01-2006, 11:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
tfpfreak Crazy Location: MS	Im not a big fan of the mustang, to each his/her own, but i do have to say it's definitely not a bad looking ride. I agree that it looks so much better than the '06 or '07 model. __________________ Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be. ~ Clementine Paddleford

12-01-2006, 11:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	It has a hideous ass, but I really like everything else. It looks leagues better than the ugly U.S. version of the Mustang. __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

12-01-2006, 01:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ch'i Artist of Life	It seems Ford could learn alot from Italdesign...

12-17-2006, 03:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ambition Insane Location: Miami, FL	That looks like one amazing machine. They did a great job with the mods. __________________ Looking for answers to questions that can't be answered.

12-19-2006, 08:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	Who's that sitting in the car? __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

12-20-2006, 05:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
Tech Addict Location: Baltimore MD	^ i assumed Giugiaro __________________ -Tim- ~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child. ~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.

12-20-2006, 08:58 PM	#18 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	Two observations: 1. Imagine the bill replacing that windshield. 2. That is the most spectacular parking lot I have ever seen!!!! As far as the car is concerned....eh. -bear __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

05-13-2008, 11:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	I was Angry at Tech for posting this before me, then I was angry at Kirstang for the hurtfull words he said, but I now have to cry myself to sleep after the painful comments of tfpfreak!!! Why in heavens name wouldn't you worship this vehicle. I want nothing else but to own it!! Not only am I a huge fan of the 1965 model of the Mustang, but this car really screams lovely. I don't think I would change anything!!! For those of you who don't like the headlights, curious what do you think of the headlights of the new Mazda 3?? What's this I hear about handling?? I've never quite driven a mustang before, I've just idealized it until all other cars became ugly to me!! I drive a very fuel efficient Chevrolet Malibu, nothing good about it, except the gas!!

05-14-2008, 05:21 AM	#21 (permalink)
lotsofmagnets Upright Location: reykjavík, iceland	i tend not to like american and american styled cars at all (volvo person myself) but let me just say HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!! that is one seriously mean looking car it looks like it could tear you apart before you even started it. want. __________________ mother nature made the aeroplane, and the submarine sandwich, with the steady hands and dead eye of a remarkable sculptor. she shed her mountain turning training wheels, for the convenience of the moving sidewalk, that delivers the magnetic monkey children through the mouth of impossible calendar clock, into the devil's manhole cauldron. physics of a bicycle, isn't it remarkable?

05-14-2008, 09:26 PM	#23 (permalink)
echo5delta Crazy Location: Swamp Lagoon, North Cackalacky	How sad is it that I'm thinking to myself "Why does Fabrizio Giuigiaro support lameass Torino instead of Juve? Or even Inter?" (/footy guy) __________________ "Peace" is when nobody's shooting. A "Just Peace" is when we get what we want. - Bill Mauldin