2006 Ford Mustang Convertible
By Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 1/16/2006
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LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- A marine layer of fog on summer mornings along
California's coast fades by noon to glorious sunshine in blue-sky heaven tempered by
cool ocean breezes.
That warm sunlight shining down on Laguna Beach is the only cue we need to pop
the electrified top on Mustang, Ford's classic pony car, for some al fresco motoring
down the PCH -- Pacific Coast Highway.
And it's a push-button snap to lower the insulated cloth lid on a luxurious new
convertible edition of Mustang.
Rising from a rigid rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis with open-roof body, the Mustang
Convertible comes with a five-bow z-fold soft top fitted with a broad rear window
plus pillar-less quarter windows on flanks of the sleek and linear sheetmetal shell.
Electric motors spur Mustang's top to fold up or down in seconds for a quick
convertible conversion.
Ford constructs this convertible off the new hardtop coupe version of Mustang, which
represents the first tire-to-top re-make of Ford's classic pony car since 1979.
The design of the body appears unmistakably like a classic Mustang with that
stretched hood and stubby tail, yet it's a sleek contemporary treatment with
muscular body bulges and big wheels.
Exterior styling looks fresh and clean although familiar Mustang signatures have
been retained -- the C-scoops on flanks, tri-part lamps on the tail and a shark's
pointed nose with round headlamps.
That galloping chrome pony, traditional symbol of Mustang, mounts on a honeycomb
grille.
And note the innovations of a modern design with round fender flares plus the
chiseled fascia up front blending to the body color.
Mustang's platform is new with the wheelbase stretched six inches longer than on
previous Mustang iterations.
The RWD chassis carries an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts
and a three-link live axle in back with Panhard rod.
It measures more than 30 percent stiffer than Mustang's prior platform and forges a
new standard for nimble handling by a made-in-America car.
And the convertible conversion scores extra bracing in the structure to counter the
effect of loping off the roof.
Mustang's cockpit expands due to the wheelbase stretch.
Layout is classic to Mustang with dual seat positions marked by symmetrical
instrument panels on a horizontal dashboard with square-arching brows.
There are two form-fitting buckets up front and a jump seat in back with sculptured
space for two more riders.
Designers trimmed the cockpit in vintage Mustang style with chrome gauge rings and
aluminum dash panels, while an optional color-configured instrument cluster brings
125 color choices for backlighting of dashboard instruments as a way-cool personal
statement.
A padded armrest mounts atop the front console's storage container, marking just
the spot to park your elbow between shifting chores.
Side pockets in sculptured door panels add additional storage spaces up front.
With Mustang's convertible lid lowered, the driver has excellent visibility in all
directions, as expected from an open-top vehicle.
With the lid raised, however, Mustang still provides good visibility for the driver
because the insulated cloth top does not seem so sheltering as to interrupt the
driver's field of view. The large back window and fairly narrow rear side panels work
to open the top-up car.
Issues of personal safety in the Mustang Convertible are addressed with strong
structural elements and energy-absorbing crush zones front and rear plus a variety
of active and passive safety systems aboard.
All versions contain dual-stage frontal air bags for front riders with smart sensors in
place to track the severity of a frontal crash along with the driver's seat position in
proximity to the steering wheel and whether seat belts are being used.
Side-impact air bags for front seats are optional.
Equipment promoting active safety includes a fast rack and pinion steering
mechanism and four-wheel disc brakes tied to an optional anti-lock brake system
(ABS) with traction control system (TCS).
Ford builds the Mustang Convertible in two versions which vary by powertrain.
Mustang V6, the price leader and volume model, stocks a V6 engine while Mustang
GT pulls from a powerful V8.
The V6 edition totes a single-cam aluminum-block V6 displacing 4.0 liters and
pumping 210 hp at 5250 rpm with torque of 240 lb-ft at 3500 rpm.
Mustang GT carries a 4.6-liter aluminum V8 with electronic throttle control and
variable camshaft.
It roars to 300 hp at 5750 rpm and stretches the torque to 320 lb-ft at 4500 rpm.
The V8 links to a Tremec 3650 five-speed manual gearbox, while the V6 uses a
Tremec T5.
Optional for either plant is a five-speed automatic using Ford's 5R55S transmission,
which shifts cleanly and quietly as directed from a console-mounted stick.
Model designations for Mustang divide further by trim packages -- Deluxe and
Premium.
Mustang V6 Deluxe gets the V6 engine and five-speed manual shifter, stainless steel
single exhaust and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels plus cabin equipment like power
windows and door locks, dual power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, air
conditioning and a stereo kit with CD deck.
Mustang V6 Premium adds machined aluminum wheels with chrome spinners, six-
way power for the driver's seat, leather seat surfaces and a Shaker 500 audio
system with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability.
Mustang GT Deluxe upgrades to the V8 with standard ABS and TCS, twin exhausts,
dual foglamps and a rear spoiler, 17-inch painted cast aluminum wheels with Z-rated
performance tires and cloth seat upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Mustang GT Premium gets the Shaker 500 audio with a six-disc CD deck and sport
bucket seats covered in leather.
The MSRP for Mustang Convertible dips as low as $23,940 for a V6 Deluxe or
$29,565 on the GT Deluxe.
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| 2006 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Sport 2+2 convertible |
| Model Options: |
Sport 2+2 convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
107.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
187.6 inches |
| Engine Size: |
V6: SOHC 4.0-L V6, GT: SOHC 4.6-L V8 |
| Transmission: |
V6: Manual/5/Tremec T5, Auto/5/5R55S, GT: Manual/5/Tremec 3650, Auto/5/5R55S |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc, V6: opt. ABS/TCS, GT: ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front), plus opt. 2 (side) |
| Gas Mileage: |
V6 M/5: 19/28 mpg, V6 A/5: 19/25 mpg, V8 M/5: 17/25 mpg, V8 A/5: 18/23 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
V6: $ 23,940 Deluxe, $ 24,815 Premium GT:$ 29,565 Deluxe, $ 30,745 Premium V6: $ 27,995 GT: $ 36,995 |
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