Ford · 2004–2014

Ford Mustang

The fifth-generation Ford Mustang, is a two-door four-seater pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 2004 to 2014, for the 2005 to 2014 model years — carrying the internal designation S197 and marketed in coupe and convertible body styles. Assembly took place at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. The fifth-generation began with the 2005 model year, and received a facelift in 2009 for the 2010 model year. Originally designed by Sid Ramnarace through late 2001 and finalized in mid-2002, the fifth-generation Mustang's design was previewed by two pre-production concept cars that debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Development on the S197 program began in 1999 under chief engineer Hau Thai-Tang, shortly after the 1998 launch of "New Edge" (SN95) facelift. From the second half of 1999, design work commenced under Ford design chief J Mays, and concluded in July 2002 with the design freeze. There have been several variants of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang that include the Mustang GT/California Special, Shelby Mustang, Bullitt Mustang, and Boss 302 Mustang.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Mustang · Successor: Ford Mustang

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Pre-production concepts

=== 2003 Ford Mustang GT Concept, 2003 Mustang Convertible Concept === Developed between February and November 2002, two pre-production concept cars, a convertible and coupe model, were presented by Ford at the 2003 North American International Auto Show on January 5, 2003. The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept included a "showbar" with a rim of billet-aluminum trim, 20-inch wheels, 13.8-in cross-drilled Brembo brakes, red and charcoal leather upholstery with perforated surfaces on the seat backs, billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, as well as 4-point racing-style seatbelts and instrument gauges. The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept included a glass roof and functional hood scoops, as well as a red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware and a supercharged MOD 4.6 L engine rated at 400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS). Appearing with other concept vehicles at the show such as the Cadillac Sixteen, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and Dodge Tomahawk, AutoWeek called the Mustang concept the "most significant vehicle in show". Both vehicles were eventually sold at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction for $175,000 (~$247,956 in 2024) each (before buyer premium). S197 concept. At the following year's North American International Auto Show, Ford introduced a redesigned Mustang previewed by the 2003 concept vehicle that was code-named "S197." It was based on the Ford D2C platform. Developed under the direction of Chief Engineer Hau Thai-Tang and with exterior design done by Sid Ramnarace, the fifth generation Mustang drew inspiration from the first-generation 1964–1970 Mustang. The design aesthetic of J Mays, Ford's Senior Vice President of Design, has been described as "retro-futurism."

Initial release

=== Mustang === Production start-up for the 2005 Mustang was on September 7, 2004, with the first 2005 model rolling off the Flat Rock assembly line on September 27, 2004. U.S. market launch and customer deliveries began at the end of October 2004, with production ending in late 2008 for the 2009 model. The 2005–2009 base Mustang was powered by Ford's cast-iron block 4.0 L Cologne SOHC V6 engine, replacing the 3.8 L Essex OHV V6 used in 2004 and older models. It produced 210 hp (157 kW) at 5,300 rpm and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) of torque at 3,500 rpm and was mated to a standard Tremec T-5 5-speed manual transmission with Ford's 5R55S 5-speed automatic transmission available as an option. A 3.31:1 final drive ratio was standard with either transmission. In a comparison test with a Pontiac G6 Convertible conducted by Motor Trend magazine, a Mustang V6 convertible equipped with an automatic transmission was able to accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.3 seconds; 1.4 seconds quicker than the 2006 Pontiac G6 convertible. The Mustang had a MacPherson strut front suspension with reverse "L" lower control arms. The rear suspension employed a new three-link system to locate the axle longitudinally, and a Panhard Rod to locate the axle laterally. This live axle rear suspension, while sacrificing handling, provides the benefits of reduced cost and weight over heavier, more expensive independent rear suspensions. In spite of this, Ford has drawn heavy criticism from the automotive journalism community for the decision to equip the fifth generation Mustang with the live axle system. At a press conference, Ford stated that an independent rear suspension would have added $5,000 to the showroom price of the car. Standard equipment on the 2005 Mustang includes power windows, dual p

Updates by model years

=== 2010 Mustang === Ford presented the 2010 model year Mustang on November 18, 2008, prior to the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Production began on January 12, 2009 and it went on sale in March 2009. The 2010 Mustang was a revision of the 2005–2009 models, retaining the D2C platform. Design and development work began in 2004, designer George Saridikas' exterior proposal was chosen on September 29, 2005, along with Robert Gelardi's interior proposal (under chief S197 designer Doug Gaffka). Doug Gaffka subsequently was responsible for the design of the 2008–2009 Bullitt and the GT500KR, on MY2010 design selection in 2006. The resulting production exterior design of late 2006 was substantially revised, resulting in better aerodynamic performance (Ford claimed the coefficient of drag was reduced by 4% on V6 models and 7% on GT models, and that the front aerodynamic lift was reduced by 37% for V6 models and 23% for GT models.). Specific changes to the exterior include a restyled Mustang emblem, a new headlight design with integrated turn signals, new slimmer side mirror design, a prominent "powerdome" hood, and revised three-lens taillights with LEDs that blink in sequence for turn indication. Additionally, the 2010 Mustang GT used smaller fog lights than the 2005–2009 models though they were still mounted in the car's grille. Fog lights on V6 models (a part of a revised Pony Package first introduced for 2006) are now mounted in the lower fascia below the grille. The radio antenna had been moved to the rear of the car and the lock for the trunk no longer featured a keyhole on the trunk lid, substituting with a remote trunk release only. In spite of its changes, the 2010 Mustang's overall exterior dimensions were nearly identical to the 2005–2009 models. The Mustang'

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Manufacturer

Ford

name

Ford Mustang (fifth generation)

Predecessor

Ford Mustang (fourth generation)

Successor

Ford Mustang (sixth generation)

Assembly

United States: Flat Rock, Michigan (Flat Rock Assembly Plant)

Class

Pony car

Designer

Sid Ramnarace (2001, 2002)

Production

September 2004 – June 2014

Platform

Ford D2C platform

Related

Lincoln LS, Ford Thunderbird (eleventh generation), Jaguar S-Type, Jaguar XF

Model years

2005–2014

Body style

2-door convertible, 2-door Coupe

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5467866CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(fifth_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376885344 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010_Mustang_Convertible_(3978957062).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Rennett Stowe from USA · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20101121092424/http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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