Motorweek test of the 05 Mustang!

Matt Gruber said:

Check local listing.
3pm this saturday for me.
set the vcr!

Click to expand...

Thanks.

I'm going to record it on my DVR so I dont miss it.

12:30pm out here, hope its the GT.

Here's their review:

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2405.shtml

No new car in the last 25 years has excited Ford fans like the all-new 2005 Mustang. It promises a return to the glory days of the original pony car, with the kind of style and performance that made so many of us fall in love with the Mustang. But can it really be that good? Well, let's saddle up and find out.

The 2005 Ford Mustang galloped into the ring before an eager automotive press corps in the home corral of the American motor industry: Detroit, Michigan. Despite months of teasing, it was our first real chance to see how fast this latest version of America's original, and only remaining pony car, can run.

This new thoroughbred is built on an all-new, longer, more muscular chassis. Derived from the DEW98 platform used on the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type, it's 31% stiffer than before. Wheelbase grows to 107.1 inches, a gain of almost 6. But suspensions are all new. Up front a straightforward MacPherson strut design. And to keep Mustang purists happy, rather than an independent rear, Ford designed a new 3-link solid axle. It's probably the most sophisticated coil spring solid axle out there, with a Panhard rod for lateral control and a control arm atop the differential to reduce axle wind up. An IRS will come later on a higher performance model.

The 4-wheel discs are the biggest standard brakes ever fitted to a Mustang. They're clamped by lightweight aluminum calipers with twin front pistons, and linked to optional, and highly recommended, ABS and traction control. All covered with great looking wheels. 16-inchers to start, 17-inchers on the GT. These optional V6 spinner wheels are sharp.

This pony gets its power from either a 4.0-liter single-cam V6, with 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, or the GT's 4.6-liter single-cam V8 with a healthy 300 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is similar to the one used in Explorer, while the V8 is a better breathing version of Ford's proven all-aluminum design.

Both engines sit on new hydraulic engine mounts, to reduce NVH. And the V8 exhales through a 2 -inch stainless steel dual exhaust. Transmissions are all 5-speeds. Tremec manuals, or the automatic used in the Thunderbird and Lincoln LS.

All told, it's a very progressive Mustang. And one that we couldn't wait to flog around Michigan's Gingerman Raceway. The GT was our natural choice to ride, and immediately impressed us with the instantaneous throttle response and the fat, flat V-8 power band. With new 3-valve cylinder heads and variable cam timing, the latest 4.6 is much more refined. It also revs a lot faster and exhibits a hearty rumble that pony car fans will love.

The 5-speed manual gearbox is firm and positive, while the automatic is crisp and refined. But to the numbers. V-8 0-60 in 5.0 seconds flat. The V-6 is no slouch either at 7.0 seconds. And the chassis is just as impressive, with a tight, solid feel that makes the old Mustang feel like rubber.

The new Mustang turns in quicker, and holds its line through fast corners with minimal effort. There's also much less tendency for the tail to break loose if you give it too much gas mid-corner, and expansion joints are far less upsetting.

In every respect, the reaction of the new chassis is light years ahead of the old car, and finally brings the American pony car into the 21st century. But the new Mustang isn't just about modern performance. It's also about classic Mustang style. The long hood, short rear deck are golden cues of the original Mustang. There's a wide-mouth, tough-guy front end, fish gills around the lights, C-scoops in the doors, and big B-pillar quarter-windows. And the tail's classic badging and tri-bar lights are straight off some of the greatest Mustangs ever, the 65 through 67 Shelby GT350 and GT500.

The new Mustang's interior is well-equipped, with 60s-era twin-hood dash and 3, 6, and 9 o'clock spoked steering wheel. And while the gauges are retro, a very modern MyColor option allows you to change the backlighting color to one of 125 hues. With more wheelbase comes more room, especially front leg room, and an expanded feel to the cabin. The seats are retro shaped too, but now properly supportive, and put you in easy reach of familiar Ford controls for climate and music, the highlight of which is the optional 1000-watt Shaker audio system.

As with all Mustangs, the rear seat remains 2+2 tight, but it is split and fold. That adds great flexibility to the 13-cubic foot trunk which is also larger than last year, though you do lose some space to the Shaker stereo's large subwoofer.

What you won't lose, however, is too much of your hard-earned cash. Despite everything that's new, the 2005 Mustang V6 carries a base price of only $19,410. Or opt for the V8 Mustang GT starting at $24,995. Lower than last year, that's serious pony car value, and serious pony car performance, and serious pony car style. In fact, the 2005 Ford Mustang is the most serious sports coupe effort we've seen in a long, long time.

And with a convertible and higher performance editions still to come, this new Mustang is also serious about reminding today's car buyers that there is more to life than driving an SUV or minivan, and that having power to only the rear wheels can be a lot of fun. The 2005 Ford Mustang is a galloping tonic that screams ''loosen up America''! The only thing left to do now is jump in and drive.

That confirms what I saw at the dealer the other day....The 05 is actually 200 dollars cheaper than the 04. The 04 is 25100 before destination charge. Talk about a deal.

Does anyone know when Speed Channel is running it? Their website won't load on my computer.... thx

Guys, its not showing sunday...Autoweek is showing monday. The first showing of Motorweek for the new Mustang will be Monday Oct. 4th at 9:30 (eastern time) PM. It even says it's a new episode that day

[QUOTE='03 6-Speed]Guys, its not showing sunday...Autoweek is showing monday. The first showing of Motorweek for the new Mustang will be Monday Oct. 4th at 9:30 (eastern time) PM. It even says it's a new episode that day [/QUOTE] You're right! I just watched motorweek and no 2005 Stang. They only showd the New GT supercar and superduty truck. I'm going to record it now at 6:30 PT on Speed.

MotorWeek #2405
With Host John Davis
PBS Broadcast Window Begins October 1, 2004

Road Test: 2005 Ford Mustang
Road Test: 2005 Acura RL
Goss' Garage: Battery Charging Basics
FYI: Future Truck
Car Keys - First Drives: Pontiac G6 & Jeep Grand Cherokee

So that's not showing on PBS today?

I was talking about speed channel, who gives a **** about pbs, theyve got one show, still not worth checking the network, specially when i dont even know the channel that PBS is on

I can't wait to get one of these cars! HURRY UP DECEMBER!!!

[QUOTE='03 6-Speed]I was talking about speed channel, who gives a **** about pbs, theyve got one show, still not worth checking the network, specially when i dont even know the channel that PBS is on [/QUOTE]


Actually Speed shows the same edition after PBS. I think it goes like this. Each saturday there is a new edition of Motorweek .This is repeated as follows.

PS: (I thought a new edition is there on sundays). Anyway here is how I keep track of the Motorweek editions.
Each Sunday on PBS @11:00 - 11:25 AM (PST) Motorweek followed by Auto Motor Und Sport. (this is pretty good too). 25 minutes commercial free.

Monday 6:30 - 7:00 pm (PST) Speed: Repeat show for 30 minutes , includes commercials. I think the show is repeated at 10. Each time it follows Fifth Gear which in my opinion is very well done.

Tuesday on PBS: 7:30 - 7:55 pm (PST): Repeat show for 25 minutes commercial free. Follows Auto Motor Und Sport. Notice reverse order between the two shows since sunday.

After tuesday PBS does not repeat, Speed perhaps repeats it on Wednesday and so forth & I like PBS because they are commercial free.

It was nothing too special, it just shows the GT going around a track while some announcer reads the review Willy posted word for word.