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Tags: Giugiaro, Mustang

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2006 LA Auto Show-A Mustang perfected and now as pretty as a Ferrari?
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. 2006 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

“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 50 th 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’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.” Full 2006 LA Auto Show photos

2006 LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries


2006 LA Auto Show-A Mustang perfected and now as pretty as a Ferrari?



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IS3andMEIS3andME - 11/28/2006 7:17:40 AM
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OH, MY GOD!!! This is 100% better than the current design. BUILD this (with IRS)and you will have lines of customers out the showroom doors.

Why does it take a Italian design firm to create the best look Mustang since the original? Jay Mays you suck!!

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Agent004Agent004 - 11/28/2006 1:14:05 PMView My AgentSpace
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IRS Is key, ohh how I hated the axle in my '94 GT. All it did was hop.


more_2_lifemore_2_life - 11/28/2006 4:07:44 PM
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When i see a car like that it makes me wonder??????? Why aren't Italians the one that design the Mustang?
Can anybody go against the fact that this is the best looking mustang EVER!!!!!!



BMW_DRVRBMW_DRVR - 11/28/2006 8:07:20 AM
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Almost perfect. The brake lights needs some work.

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mstangpny07mstangpny07 - 11/28/2006 5:08:37 PMView My AgentSpace
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yes, I think if they were recessed it would look better.


themantheman - 11/28/2006 8:31:51 AM
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Perfection...The only time I say that is with Ferrari, however, this is WOW...I cant believe its American..

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OBSERVER1984OBSERVER1984 - 11/28/2006 10:59:30 AM
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Actually it's not American it's european. But it's PERFECT COMPLETELY PERFECT, because it's made by the best one ItalDesign.

Where's the problem!?!
The problem is that FMC don't listen to the customers opinion and guess waht!?! They will not by the design form ItalDesign and will not build it!!! :(



NARunnerNARunner - 11/28/2006 8:56:12 AMView My AgentSpace
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headlights and front end kind of remind me of a 6 series

nice desing though

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NARunnerNARunner - 11/28/2006 8:56:29 AMView My AgentSpace
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*design


DOCSOUTDOCSOUT - 11/28/2006 8:59:17 AM
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MAGNIFIQUE! I'M 63Y/O WITH A NEW MB SL, AND I WOULD BUY THIS MUSTANG TO 'SMELL' MY YOUTH. HA! I WOULD!

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DOCSOUTDOCSOUT - 11/28/2006 9:06:25 AM
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AFTER RE-LOOKING CLOSELY AT THE PICS FOR THE THIRD TIME, THAT IS A STUD CAR.
FORD, YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE RED... BUILD THIS THING AS IS. WOW!!

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blueice4589blueice4589 - 11/28/2006 11:45:44 AM
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LOL, Why are they even going to show this? This is something for the SEMA Show. Not the Auto Show. Get it together Grouch.

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supermotosupermoto - 11/28/2006 12:36:02 PM
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Autoegr525Autoegr525 - 11/28/2006 12:37:55 PM
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Nice, but it's not a mustang. The fact that the people on this site like it is proof of that. Read Jalopnik's review of the Shelby GT500 if you're curious what a mustang is.

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Sauceboy01Sauceboy01 - 11/28/2006 12:40:41 PM
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Looks great! Ford! Smarten up and release this car!

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Murcielago_LP640Murcielago_LP640 - 11/28/2006 12:42:08 PM
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I love the front. The rear is a bit dodgy though...

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AUDIMAN4AUDIMAN4 - 11/28/2006 1:08:04 PM
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Great design. Simply better executed and beautiful than anything out of Japan or America. But especially Japan.

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Storm9Storm9 - 11/28/2006 1:25:32 PM
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I dont really like, looks pretty bad actually.

Like a rip off the Camaro Concept.

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OnyxOnyx - 11/28/2006 5:17:32 PM
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HAHAHAHA what a rip of the Camaro concept vehicle and a WTF were you smoking award for even mentioning Ferrari and Mustang in the same sentance

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/28/2006 5:19:31 PMView My AgentSpace
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^Idiot.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/28/2006 5:19:20 PMView My AgentSpace
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THEY MUST BUILD IT!!!

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LexusLexus - 11/28/2006 6:21:50 PM
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Definitely a 9+, very sporty and cooling looking Mustang.

Lexus

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IS3andMEIS3andME - 11/28/2006 7:04:36 PM
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Imagine, pulling up to a black one at night with recessed brakelights..Damn, Damn, Damn

Build this and the Mercury Messenger (as the T bird), Ford will be seeing a new day!!!



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audirevolutionaudirevolution - 11/28/2006 7:51:58 PM
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I do think the Mustang looks good.
But not as good looking as a ferrari.

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japoprjapopr - 12/1/2006 8:48:01 PM
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Really, really nice...

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