• Convertible shares its foundation with the bold, hot-selling 2005 Mustang coupe
• Platform engineered for coupe and convertible
• Top looks good up or down; protects against wind noise and water when up
• Clever touches manage air flow, make interior comfortable and quiet

How can you top something as successful as the all-new 2005 Mustang coupe?

You drop the top.

The 2005 Ford Mustang convertible, which will reach showrooms in the spring of 2005, is the first in a string of specialty versions of the new Mustang. Just as noteworthy, it is the most solid, best handling and most refined open-air version yet of this American legend.

The convertible uses the same ingredients that have made the 2005 Mustang coupe magical:

• Totally new architecture
• Muscular stance
• Bold style
• Brawny engine
• Rear-drive excitement
• Affordability

And because the convertible was designed alongside the coupe and not as an afterthought, it is much more solid than coupe-derived convertibles of the past. Better still, it retains all of the personality that has made the Ford Mustang one of the most-loved automotive nameplates in history.

There are more than 250 Mustang clubs from around the world with the largest - The Mustang Club of America - touting some 11,000 members alone. And when you consider that of the nearly eight million Mustangs sold since 1965, almost one million of them have been convertibles - it's clear that the convertible is a key part of Mustang's success.

AVOIDING EXTREME MAKEOVERS

The 2005 Mustang convertible was designed from the ground up to deliver a more rigid body structure without adding burdensome weight. This was accomplished by engineering it in tandem with the coupe. An added benefit of this process - one that helped meet a goal set for the convertible's exterior design - was that it provided the car with a cohesive, integrated look. It does not look like a coupe that has undergone reconstructive surgery to become a convertible.

The fabric top also seals better than did those of previous models and it affords superior rearward visibility. Looking for new and better ways to do things, Ford engineers designed a z-fold top that gives the Mustang convertible a finished appearance with the top down.

Aside from the top, the 2005 Mustang convertible shares the look of a legend with its coupe sibling. The signature long hood, short deck and classic design cues may be found on both. There's an unmistakable hint of Mustang notchbacks of yesteryear in the convertible's profile and stance - with the same athletic proportions, save for today's bigger, wider wheels and tires, that make it look as good at rest as it does at speed.

THE INSIDE STORY

Just as it does with its exterior design and engineering, the 2005 Mustang convertible makes a statement with its interior. Thanks to intelligent engineering that resulted in a convertible platform with more than twice the torsional stiffness of the previous version, this is the most quiet and solid drop top Mustang ever produced. The squeaks, shakes and rattles to which convertibles typically are prone are startlingly missing from the 2005 Mustang convertible.

Also improved is the rearward visibility. The 2005 Mustang convertible comes with a wide glass backlite (including a defroster), full quarter windows and slim C-pillars, all of which offer a driver a better look out the back.

Both passengers in the back and front will appreciate the lack of wind-related buffeting and noise when the top is down. With the windshield header more steeply raked than on the coupe and a modified rear seatback, the 2005 Mustang convertible has no need for add-on devices to block the wind.

Aside from these touches, the 2005 Mustang convertible shares the coupe's look of a much more expensive car. Mustang's past is honored by the twin-pod instrument panel and the present is addressed via modern materials and Ford's acclaimed attention to interior design and details. Plus, there's an optional color-configurable instrument panel, an industry first, that gives the driver more than 125 different color backgrounds to illuminate the gauges and controls.

DONE RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S DONE LIGHT

The typical convertible "conversion" can add as much as 300 pounds. Much of the weight comes from the metal added to brace the structure to restore some of its strength after the top is cut off. Mustang engineers considered how they could add strength into both the 2005 coupe and convertible. For instance, they were able to design body joints and rocker panels that give the convertible a commendable level of stiffness without the need for additional bracing.

The payoff from "adding lightness" is evident. For one thing, the 2005 Mustang convertible shares its suspension geometry and virtually all its suspension tuning with the coupe. As a result, never before have the coupe and convertible ridden and handled so much alike. Another benefit of the convertible's sensibly managed weight program is that excess poundage does not sap acceleration.

Like the 2005 Mustang coupe, the convertible uses a MacPherson strut front suspension and a rigid rear axle that has surprised the automotive press with its composure and handling prowess. The secret for its success is a three-link setup with a Panhard rod that maintains precise control over the axle.

Steering is via a power-assisted rack-and-pinion system.

Disc brakes are fitted at all four corners. The Mustang GT rotors are the biggest ever used on a mainstream Mustang and the calipers are the stiffest. A 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is standard on the GT convertible and optional on the V-6. ABS also comes with traction control. This all-speed system can be switched off when the driver desires to "hang it out" a bit on dry pavement, or when a smoky burnout is in order for an acceleration run.

Standard tires on the GT are W-rated P235/55ZR-17 all-season performance radials on 17- by 8-inch alloy wheels. The V-6 convertible comes with 16- by 7-inch wheels with T-rated P215/65R-16 all-season tires.

POWER PERSONIFIED-AND PERSONALIZED

Mustang is the very symbol of American muscle, and the 2005 Mustang convertible is no exception.

The base engine is a 4.0-liter SOHC V-6. Producing 210 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque, it is more powerful than the 260-cubic-inch displacement V-8 that was an option when Mustang was first introduced.

For those who want something more, the V-8-powered GT convertible boasts the same 300-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 as its coupe counterpart. The GT's new three-valve V-8 has variable cam timing and thus generates 40 more horsepower than the previous-generation Mustang GT V-8. Automotive historians also will note that this new 281-cubic-inch engine produces 50 percent more power with less displacement than the legendary small-block 289 V-8 of 1964.

While they are responsive, both Mustang engines are respectful of the environment. Both meet Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standards. On average, the 2005 fleet for Ford Mustangs will emit 57 percent less smog-forming pollution than the 2004-model-year fleet.

FIVE SPEEDS, TWO CHOICES

For the first time, the Mustang convertible is available with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 5R55S automatic is optional with either the base V-6 or the GT's V-8 and has closely spaced gears to keep the engine running in the sweet part of its power band. This assists acceleration as well as fuel efficiency.

Standard on both V-8 and V-6 models of the 2005 Mustang convertible, is a Tremec 5-speed manual.

TO PROTECT AND SERVE

While the agility and acceleration of the 2005 Mustang convertible can help a driver avoid an accident, not all bad situations can be escaped. That's the point at which passive safety systems take over.

Here again a smartly structured body comes into play. The rigid core of the 2005 Mustang convertible creates a safety cage that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact. The front of the car is designed to help channel the violent energy of a collision away from vehicle occupants.

The Ford Personal Safety System is also there to serve with dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags as well as safety belt pretensioners and energy management retractors. Side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger are optional.

And to help you keep a Mustang convertible in your stable, an optional active anti-theft package provides increased levels of protection, including a separate alarm sounder, new anti-tow sensor, ultrasonic interior motion sensor, perimeter anti-theft protection and even a high-capacity battery to keep sounding the alarm longer.

NEW HOME FOR THE RANGE

With the 2005 model year, Mustang has moved to a new plant from its long-time home at the Dearborn Assembly Plant at the Ford Rouge Complex. All Mustangs are now made at the AutoAlliance International assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The 2005 Mustang convertible will go on sale in the spring.

	GT	V-6
BODY
Construction	Unitized welded steel body, aluminum hood	Unitized welded steel body,   aluminum hood
POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS
ENGINE
Type	4.6L 90-degree V-8; Aluminum block and heads	4.0L 60-degree V-6;   Iron block, aluminum heads
Manufacturing location	Romeo, Mich.	Cologne, Germany
Configuration	V-8	V-6
Intake manifold	Composite shell-welded Single-runner, charge motion control valves	Composite, shell-welded   with internal runner pack
Exhaust manifold	Cast iron	Cast iron
Crankshaft	Cast iron	Cast iron
Throttle body	55-mm dual-bore electronic	65-mm single-bore electronic
Valvetrain	SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder, variable camshaft timing	SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Valve diameter	Intake: 33.8 mm Exhaust: 37.5 mm	Intake: 46.0 mm   Exhaust: 39.0 mm
Pistons	Hypereutectic aluminum	Hypereutectic aluminum
Connecting rods	Cracked powdered metal with floating wristpins	Forged steel
Ignition	Coil-on-plug, high-thread-insert spark plugs	Distributorless with   coil pack
Bore x stroke	3.55 x 3.54 in. / 90.2 x 90.0 mm	3.95 x 3.32 in. /   100.4 x 84.4 mm
Displacement	281 cu. in. / 4,606 cc	245 cu. in. / 4,009 cc
Compression ratio	9.8:1	9.7:1
Engine control system	Spanish Oak (Motorola MPC-565)	Spanish Oak (Motorola MPC-565)
Horsepower	300 @ 5,750 rpm	210 @ 5,250 rpm
Horsepower per liter	65.2	52.5
Torque	320 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm	240 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Redline	6,250 rpm	6,100 rpm
Top speed	143 mph	112 mph
0-60 mph acceleration	5.1 seconds (coupe as tested by Motor Trend Magazine)
Recommended fuel	87 octane	87 octane
Fuel capacity	16.0 gal.	16.0 gal.
Projected fuel economy   Automatic   Manual	18/23 17/25	19/25   19/23
Fuel injection	Electronic returnless, Sequential	Electronic returnless,   Sequential
Emission control	Closed loop with catalyst	Closed loop with catalyst
Emissions (tailpipe/evaporation)   Automatic   Manual	Tier 2, Bin 5 / LEV II Tier 2, Bin 5 / LEV II	Tier 2, Bin 5 / LEV II   Tier 2, Bin 5 / LEV II
Green States emissions (tailpipe/evaporation)   Automatic   Manual	LEV II LEV II	LEV II   LEV II
Oil capacity	6.0 quarts	5.0 quarts
Recommended oil	5W20	5W30
Coolant capacity	12.7 quarts	12.5 quarts
DRIVETRAIN
Layout	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
TRANSMISSION
Standard	Five-speed manual (Tremec 3650)	Five-speed manual   (Tremec T-5)
Gear ratios
1st	3.34:1	3.75:1
2nd	2.00:1	2.19:1
3rd	1.32.1	1.41:1
4th	1.00:1	1.00:1
5th	0.68:1	0.72:1
Final drive	3.55:1	3.31:1
Optional	Five-speed automatic (5R55S)	Five-speed automatic   (5R55S)
Gear ratios
1st	3.25:1	3.25:1
2nd	2.44:1	2.44:1
3rd	1.55.1	1.55.1
4th	1.00:1	1.00:1
5th	0.75:1	0.75:1
Final drive	3.31:1	3.31:1
SUSPENSION
Front	Reverse-L independent MacPherson strut, 34-mm tubular stabilizer bar	Reverse-L independent   MacPherson strut,   28.6-mm tubular stabilizer bar
Rear	Three-link solid axle with coil springs, Panhard rod, 18-mm solid stabilizer bar	Three-link solid axle   with coil springs,   Panhard rod
STEERING
Type	Rack and pinion with power assist	Rack and pinion with power assist
Ratio	15.7:1	15.7:1
Turns lock-to-lock	2.83	3.13
Turning circle curb-to-curb	38.0 ft.	36.0 ft.
BRAKES
Type	Four-wheel disc	Four-wheel disc
Front	Vented disc, twin-piston 43-mm floating aluminum calipers	Vented disc, twin-piston   43-mm floating   aluminum calipers
Swept area	316 mm (12.4 in.) x 30 mm	293 mm (11.4 in.) x 30 mm
Rear	Vented disc, twin-piston 43-mm floating iron calipers	Vented disc, twin-piston   43-mm floating   iron calipers
Swept area	300 mm (11.8 in.) x 19 mm	300 mm (11.8 in.) x 19 mm
TIRES AND WHEELS (TYPE, SIZE)
Standard	P235/55ZR-17 98W 17 x 8 in. 5-spoke aluminum wheels	P215/65R-16 96T   16 x 7 in. 10-spoke bright   painted metallic wheels
Recommended tire pressure (front/rear)	32/32 psi	35/35 psi
Optional	P235/55ZR-17 98W 17 x 8 in. 10-spoke machined cast aluminum wheels	P215/65R-16 96T   16 x 7 in. 10-spoke bright   painted metallic wheels with   three-spoke spinner
Recommended tire pressure (front/rear)	32/32 psi	35/35 psi
DIMENSIONS (inches unless otherwise noted)
EXTERIOR
Wheelbase	107.1 in.	107.1 in.
Overall length	188.0 in.	187.6 in.
Overall width	73.9 in.	73.9 in.
Overall height	55.7 in.	55.7 in.
Track width, front/rear	61.9 in. / 62.5 in.	62.4 in. / 63.0 in.
Ground clearance	5.71 in.	5.73 in.
INTERIOR
Seating capacity	4	4
Front headroom	38.8 in.	38.8 in.
Front legroom	42.7 in.	42.7 in.
Front shoulder room	55.4 in.	55.4 in.
Front hip room	53.6 in.	53.6 in.
Rear headroom	36.3 in.	36.3 in.
Rear legroom	30.3 in.	30.3 in.
Rear shoulder room	45.0 in.	45.0 in.
Rear hip room	45.2 in.	45.2 in.
Passenger volume	81.6 cu. ft.	81.6 cu. ft.
Cargo volume	9.7 cu. ft.	9.7 cu. ft.
BASE CURB WEIGHT (POUNDS)
Manual transmission	3,614 lbs.	3,476 lbs.
Automatic transmission	3,658 lbs.	3,526 lbs.
Weight distribution (f/r)	53/47	53/47
SAFETY
Safety belts	Height-adjustable lap and shoulder belts with load-limiting retractors and pyrotechnic pretensioners for front seating positions Three-point safety belts for all seating positions BeltMinder™ safety-belt reminder chime for driver and front passenger
Air bags	Dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags Optional seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger
Advanced restraints	Personal Safety System™, including dual-stage air bags with crash severity sensor, driver seat-position sensor and front passenger sensing system LATCH anchors for rear outboard seats
Brakes	Anti-lock braking system (ABS, optional on V-6) Traction control system (optional on V-6, requires ABS)
Fuel	Inertia-activated shutoff switch for fuel pump
Security	SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system Remote keyless entry
Optional	Active anti-theft system with perimeter alarm, separate alarm sounder, anti-tow sensor and ultrasonic interior motion sensor
MAJOR STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND OPTIONS
Audio system   Standard   Optional	AM/FM stereo with single CD/MP3 player with four speakers on Deluxe models Shaker 500 audio system with AM/FM stereo, six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer and six speakers on Premium models Shaker 1000 audio system with AM/FM stereo, six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer and nine speakers
Cupholders	Two cupholders in center console
Power points	Two 12-volt power points; one on the center stack and one in front center console
Seats	Six-way power adjustable driver seat (manual on V-6 Deluxe) Manual adjustable passenger seat Optional leather bucket seats Optional leather sport bucket seats (standard on GT Premium)
Other	Intermittent speed-sensitive windshield wipers Air conditioning Center console Speed control Driver footrest Color-keyed floor mats Power windows and door locks Front-door map pockets Tilt steering wheel One-touch down/up front windows
Exterior colors   Optional	Torch Red, Redfire Red, Screaming Yellow, Satin Silver, Sonic Blue, Windveil Blue, Legend Lime, Mineral Grey, Performance White and Black Exterior sport appearance package with rear spoiler and sport tape stripe on lower rocker panels
Interior colors   Optional	Medium Parchment, Light Graphite and Dark Charcoal Leather seating surfaces Dark Charcoal with interior color accent package, including red leather seat surfaces, front door-trim inserts and floor mats Interior upgrade package with bright-polished six-gauge instrument cluster with My Color feature, leather-wrapped shift knob and satin aluminum register vents, steering-wheel spokes, I/P, door latches and door scuff plate. Also includes message center, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Dark Charcoal Aberdeen pattern front door panel inserts
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty	3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty