Giugiaro Mustang (Concept)
Ford dropped all the details on Giugiaro's reinterpretation of the Mustang and words seem to fail it. The world-class coachbuilder has taken the iconic coupe and transformed it into rolling automotive pornography, leaving no body panel untouched and enlisting the help of Ford Racing to provide motivation to match its extreme design.
The bespoke creation takes all the right cues from the current Mustang, beginning with the classic front end, and then pulling the fascia down and outward to create a menacing homage to the original. Broad indentations flank the doors and lead into massive wheel arches topped with a classic crease that's brought to a point at its highest peak. Those same distinct creases define the rear end and provide a trick angle for the taillights to wrap overtop.
A single piece of glass forms the windshield and roof, which flows into the trunk lid, and the louvered glass aft of the b-pillar gives a nod to Mustangs of yore. The doors are touch operated and, when asked, pivot up from the a-pillar, while five-spoke dubs get a healthy slathering of chrome and Giugiaro's orange hue.
On the inside, the mixture of brown and butterscotch upholstery is warm and inviting, with a combination of smooth and furred horsehides covering the seats. The instrument panel houses the required duo of gauges, which snuggly fits inside a dash that flows from pillar to pillar. Custom switchgear, shifter and steering wheel all make it clearly known that this is something special, and more is on the way.
Raise the mildly bubbled hood and you'll find the stock 4.6-liter V8 from the Mustang GT, but with a twin-screw supercharger mounted on top. The intercooled powerplant receives a 95 mm mass air meter, KN-shaped filter and fuel injectors from the Ford GT, to produce over 500 HP at 11 psi of boost. The stock radiator has been nixed in favor of an aluminum Ford Racing unit, which the company claims could allow the engine to create another 200 HP without worry of catastrophe.
Although style and power are all well and good, handling must be addressed in equal parts. Thankfully, Ford Racing was tapped to provide their Handling Pack, which includes thicker anti-sway bars, lowering springs and tuned dampers, all of which is available for the base Mustang GT.
We absolutely can't wait to see this in person tomorrow, so stay tuned for more as we make our way down to the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Below you'll find a multitude of pics, joined by the press release at the bottom of the page.
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* 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's efforts include the development and sale of a race-prepared version of the Mustang, called the FR500C, for the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series. In its first season alone, the FR500C scored five wins in the 2005 GS Class, including the manufacturers' championship, in which Mustang bested other production-based sports cars, including the BMW M3 and Porsche 911.
This Mustang, a turn-key race car sold to privateers, provided the inspiration for the Mustang by Giugiaro concept's performance and handling attributes.
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."
General specifications Record last updated 12 / 03 / 2006 Country of origin United States Numbers built N/A (Prototype) Produced in 2006Introduced at 2006 LA Auto ShowBody design Fabrizio Giugiaro for ItalDesignEngineEngine 90º V 8 Engine Location Front , longitudinally mounted Displacement 4.601 liter / 280.8 cu inBore / Stroke 90.2 mm (3.6 in) / 90.0 mm (3.5 in) Valvetrain 3 valves / cylinder, SOHC Fuel feed Fuel injection Aspiration SuperchargerDrivetrain Chassis/body unitary steelFront suspension McPherson strutsRear suspension three link live axle, Panhard rodGearbox 5 speed Manual Drive Rear wheel drivePerformance figures Power 500 bhp / 373 KW BHP/Liter109 bhp / liter http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/i...9200621154.jpg 
Giugiaro Mustang Concept 
