Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept

Motoring Channel Staff - 29/Nov/2006

Los Angeles, USA — It's not often that the styling director of Italdesign, Fabrizio Giugiaro, decides to work his magic on an American muscle car. But he has, and behold the glory!

The Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept is a 500 horsepower dream car that was recently revealed at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto -- and rumour has it that Ford may be already considering using some of the concept design's radical styling cues on the next generation Ford Mustang, which is expected in 2010.

Concept and production designs spanning almost every car maker in the world – from Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen to Mazda, Lotus and Bugatti – make up part of Fabrizio Giugiaro's portfolio, and now the modern Mustang can be added to that list.

As Ford acknowledges, the 2005 Mustang created a massive buzz for the iconic badge, and other brands such as Dodge and Chevrolet followed suit, knowing that Ford had opened a lucrative can of worms, by announcing they'd be bringing the concept versions of the Challenger and Camaro into production.

Indeed, the updated Mustang (though often chastised for its solid rear axle) captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans and future owners when the all-new model debuted and as Ford explains, the proportions and design of Ford's first purpose-built muscle car in more than 30 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," added Giugiaro.

So in early 2005, says Ford, Giugiaro pitched J Mays, Ford Motor Company's chief of design, 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."

Last year the elder Giugiaro celebrated his 50th anniversary in the business by designing a custom-made Ferrari, the GG50, and those readers with a good memory may recall that back in 1965 he also penned the Bertone Mustang. This vehicle became the first European-styled car to make its international debut in North America following the end of World War II, and was unmistakably Italian in its interpretation.

Since joining ItalDesign in 1990, Fabrizio Giugiaro has helped deliver key global designs, 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.

Ford explained that Fabrizio Giugiaro led the 2-D design process on the Mustang Giugiaro concept, allowing him to deliver a complete exterior model from the family’s Italian studios in Turin, 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.

Even so, the Italian version of America's most popular muscle car hasn't lost any of its swagger according to Ford, as the vibrant orange concept is somewhat 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 gives the vehicle an even more potent aura whether cruising or simply sitting still.

With its longer hood and the trunk barely visible, the car looks more of a fastback in side view according to Ford, but details throughout the dazzling concept car reinforce the freedom and rebellion synonymous with Mustang. Fabrizio Giugiaro’s favorite details are as follows:

• 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 louvre panels that replace the rear side windows.

• 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 sporting-but-elegant 20-inch rims, fitted with 275/40 tyres on the front and bullish 315/35 tyres on the rear.

As its wheels and tyres 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 explains Ford. The Blue Oval company has also revealed thatthe Mustang Giugiaro Concept features a powertrain and chassis enhanced in conjunction with Ford Racing.

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, where it outperformed other production-based sports cars, including the BMW M3 and Porsche 911.

So this beautiful Mustang concept is no pretender that's all show and no go. Far from it, this vehicle is fitted with some of Ford Racing's best performance part, and is similar to the turn-key race car sold to privateers, which improves the standard Ford Mustang's engine and handling performance.

Ford Racing improved on the already-robust 300 horsepower (224kW) all-aluminum 4.6-litre V8 engine in the production Mustang GT by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger that blasts addition air and fuel into the 3-valve-per-cylinder engine. Ford has divulged much about the new concept car's powertrain, which includes new fuel injectors (borrowed from the Ford GT super car) and a resulting modification to the fuel injection mapping and engine control unit (ECU). Engine air intake is increased with a larger 95mm mass air meter and a conical air filter, while the car's exhaust performance is enhanced with new Ford Racing mufflers and an X-pipe.

Combined, these go-fast gadgets combine to give the supercharged 4.6-litre Mustang concept car about 500 horsepower (373kW), which is enough power to completely fry the rear wheels, despite their wide and grippy315/35 profiles. The supercharger that winds up this amazing American-Italian collaboration has a boost level of 11psi (0.75bar) and there is also a high-efficiency aluminum radiator provided by Ford Racing that increases the car's cooling capability to accompany the extra 200 horsepower (149kW) provided under the long and sleek hood.

Under the car, the FR500C-inspired chassis tuning is accomplished with a tailored Ford Racing Handling Pack. This package, says Ford, is available through Ford Racing for the Mustang GT, and adds new dampers, lowering springs and anti-roll bars. The changes give the car a lower stance while sharpening handling response (but don't expect the car's ride to be smooth), and it rides approximately 1.5 inches (38mm) lower than the production Mustang GT.

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- Ferrari GG50
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- Ford Performance Vehicles GT: Road Test
- Ford Performance Vehicles Pursuit Ute: Road Test