CONCEPT: Ford Mustang Giugiaro

[Flybrian]

Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept

Los Angeles, Nov. 28, 2006 – 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 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.”

[cletus8269]

hmm... glass roof is interesting but it needs a solid panel, that reminds me of a scion tc, the cowhide seats need to exit stage right as well. spoiler would make a world of difference too. pony cars look strange without a spoiler. other than that it looks pretty sweet. for a ford.

[FAPTurbo]

Suck.

[red]

An interesting perspective.

I like the chopped/sharp headlights...similar to things I doodle on sketches. Also like the '68 rear fender arch. Taillights are interesting, if unfinished.

The car itself looks too heavy, though, and the rear stance still sucks.

[Supremus]

My main problem is that the front looks too much like the BMW 6 Series, a car I find hard to love. And the taillights are just plain wrong, IMHO.

[turbo200]

whoa...that interior looks like it was penned by an italian, so much character, flair and extroverted good looks, and taste, that is a work of beauty. the exterior is similarly curvaceous and exciting. Ford would do extremely well to go with this look for the refresh, I'm not totally digging the rear but the front is fantastic and the shape, ah the shape, where have i seen that before, ah yes camaro. it looks real good; this would make a very exciting 2010 Mustang.

[ocnblu]

I don't care for the scissor doors, or the taillight treatment. I'm glad it has no wing or spoiler on the back, in my view they are only used as band-aids on weak designs. The interior is interesting. The hides used remind me of a throwback to the 50's/60's.

[C.H.U.D.]

Can't say I'm feeling it. Some elements seem "off". The roofline is too rounded at the windshield.

[FireStorm]

this is just some concept designed by an italian dude.. i guess if it's a hit they'll consider it for the design of the next mustang.. but i doubt there's any plans for that at the moment

that said, i do like the front end.. the whole roof glass thing kinda makes it look wierd.. having the windshield blend into the roof like that.. i'm not sure if i like it or not

i like the interior, with the exception of the horse hide seat inserts..

the rear is kinda funky looking..

it certainly looks better than the current production mustang.. but i still think it's not as good as the Camaro Concept imo

[PurdueGuy]

The roofline is too rounded at the windshield.

220942[/snapback]

+1

[NOS2006]

Looks better than the current Mustang GT from some angles, but not most. I wouldn't recommend them building this, if that's even an option to Ford.

Oh, and those are some sexy seats...

[Cory Wolfe]

Other than a few details (like the doors, taillights, windsheild angle, etc)... its sexy.

[Flybrian]

The interior is really beautiful. Something a Mustang LX should have.

[Cadillacfan]

Clearly a direct response to the Camaro and Challenger concepts. I read this is more then just a normal Giugiaro concept. It actually shows the styling direction of the new Mustang. Obviously we won't see the glass roof, gulwing doors, awesome interior, and funky rear-end, but I wouldn't be surprised if the overall profile and front clip will be the same.

[Intrepidation]

I like everything but the tail lights. I love the interior and I love that front end...it looks mean instead of sad like the current Mustang.

[Sixty8panther]

Not all taht impressed. Italian designers have not done

much new in the past 30 years. These new concepts

seem to mer like they're retro or the Bertone & even

Pinninfarina stuff from the late '60s to the mid '70s.

And the face of this car does not resemble the Camaro,

not litterally but perhaps in design direction.

[PONTIAC06]

Minus the tail lights and interior, this would make an excellent redesign for the mustang...still retro, but very modern...

[Satty]

I like it, for the most part.

[ToniCipriani]

Why does it keep on yelling Scion to me for some reason?

[the_yellow_dart]

Headlights look like they came straight off the Camaro concept.

[CSpec]

Hmm...

[Northstar]

It looks like they were trying to one-up the Camaro and failed. This is ugly inside and out.

[DetroitNut90]

It's...ok, I guess. The interior's nice, but the exterior's odd. And the rear is just ugly.

[pow]

I think it's gorgeous.

[mjdecker]

Interior is alright, but I'm not one for retro inspired interiors... I like the front end on it though.

[loki]

i like it from what's shown other than the tail end ..... idk but something about them isn't appealling to me

[MyerShift]

Except for the seats, I think this is quite radical and interesting.

[ketch]

wow. My take is the talented folks here who design and draw can blow this design house out of the water and do better!

[Clownzilla]

WOW!!! I love the cow hide!!! I think car makers should look into different seat materials in their HIGH end models (snake, alligator, etc.). Now, they could only put the skins in a handfull of expensive cars (because the price would be high), but it would put some new flavor in cars. The only problem I can see is some animal rights group would get involved........even though we have used cows for years.

Edited November 29, 2006 by Clownzilla

[Robert Hall]

Neat concept..too bad it's orange. And that's horsehide, not cowhide inside... beautiful design overall, IMHO..

Edited November 29, 2006 by moltar

[sciguy_0504]

The interior is really beautiful. Something a Mustang LX should have.

220990[/snapback]

The interior is amazing. I dare any car company to use cow on its seats. Imagine the PETA outrage. I like the front, too, but the rear, with the chopped taillights, could use some work.

[-Camaro-]

I like it! It's like futuristic and retro all at the same time.

[Camino LS6]

Love the front.

Lukewarm on the rest of the exterior.

Hate the interior.

[Northstar]

After seeing some more shots, I think the front end is alright. It still needs some work though. The rest of the exterior is pretty good except for the rear, which is terrible. I'm getting a slight 6-Series vibe from the front half of the car.

[CreativeVision]

I like it overall, but I see how the Camaro is resonating in some people's minds. Its all in the overhang for the headlights.

Taillights are interesting, but overall the back end looks lke it is missing something. However it is not a spoiler. It looks good without it, but if it had to have one, it should just be a simple lip style.

The horse hide makes the interior look like it is all torn up and has been sitting in a junk yard since the 60's.

[Sixty8panther]

This was cooler! And it's a hardtop.

[CreativeVision]

What is it?

[longtooth]

that vehicle'd validate me as a person.

[SS427]

And the face of this car does not resemble the Camaro,

not litterally but perhaps in design direction.

221009[/snapback]

That maybe true but it sure reminds me of the Camaro everytime I see it.

[Turbojett]

I like everything except the back end and the interior. The dash is sweet though.

[aaaantoine]

The overall design is great!

Except the taillights, and maybe the roofline.