2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Fo...-concept/2212/


Hmmmm...Orange paint scheme with a black stripe up the hood. I can't place it but it reminds of something. What could it be???


A Real Italian Stallion

The Ford Mustang is one of the few affordable sports cars still on sale today. Its blend of performance and attractive, retro styling not only make it one of the most desirable American automobiles available, but it captures the spirit of the original. To keep the publics interest focused, Italian design house Italdesign has taken on a pony of their own for Fords display at the LA Auto Show. Replacing every single body panel and redesigning the interior, a brand new vehicle has been created off the current car, aptly named the Mustang Giugiaro Concept.

"When we saw the new Mustang, we knew two things: It was the best wed 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 its important to show the automotive world pure exercises in style that interpret key models reflecting the history and image of important brands."

ItalDesign has long had a connection to American sports cars. In 2003, the design house created the Corvette Moray concept, which put an undeniably modern Italian twist on the Corvette, much the same as what was done on this new Mustang. This isnt the first time that Fords pony has been subjected to a reworking by Italians. Fabrizios father, Giorgetto Giugiaro, the head designer and founder of ItalDesign, penned a one-off version of the 1965 Mustang when he was at the Bertone styling house, prior to departing the firm to start up ItalDesign. The modern concept was overseen by Fabrizio, the current styling director of the firm.

The Mustang Concept is much different than the current production car, yet shares many similar elements. Its easy to pinpoint the Mustang Concept as being a Mustang, as it shares the main, basic points with the production car, such as the circular headlamps inset within angular housings, the trapezoidal grille with pony logo and fastback roofline with its triangular side rear window. Other similarities that create a design lineage between the Italian car and the production car include the bulged fender flares, prominent logo on the rear deck plus the triple vertical tail lamps, though their shape has been changed. Of course, there are some clever new additions, such as cameras, which replace the side view mirrors, the little peaks that form, flowing at the top edge of the rear fenders. They almost make the Mustang look like its got fins. The car also has odd, vertical-swinging doors, much like those featured on a Lamborghini Murcielago.

Putting the individual details aside and viewing the car as a whole, gives a very different perspective of the Italians viewpoint on this classic American nameplate. The first thing noticeable is that the shape of the carbon-fiber bodied car has evolved. Its not as drastic as other conversions, but the nose is visually softer, and more rounded than the production car. It also looks shorter. This is the biggest difference in profile, which gives the Mustang a tapered appearance, as opposed to the straight, almost rectangular-like footprint of the production car. The nose of the concept has been widened by 30 mm, while the tail is broader by 80 mm, to give it a more dynamic look.

From raised angles, the cars unique panoramic glass roof can be viewed. This is a true panoramic roof: the windshield, roof panel and rear screen are one single curved unit which allows for completely unobstructed views of the road, the sky and everything in between. The roof panel is treated to filter out 100-percent of all UVA rays and is tinted to reduce glare.
Looks may be a big part of this Mustangs appeal factor, but its whats underneath that will make the heart of true enthusiasts throb. Under t

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

ive done a review of this one, but its not live yet...

ford has discussed a timeline for the mustang which includes a 2009 and 2012 redesign, so many thought that this may hint to some cues of the redesign...but i doubt it...its too european for the american market, with things like the all glass roof...its basically just an S197, blown, with a really elaborate body kit...which i dont much care for...

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I don't like it. Doesn't look like a true american muscle car. To me anyways. I also read somewhere the seats are made out of real horse hide.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

That looks interesting. The funny thing is if you look at the mustang symbol on the grill just right, you might see the Ferrari symbol instead. I don't know why but when I looked at that, I could have sworn I saw the Ferrari symbol instead. I still prefer the normal Mustang though. A heritage muscle car should look like a heritage muscle car.

TechmanBD, are you saying that you wouldn't like to have italian leather in a mustang? I don't care where it comes from I would take it in a split second. That stuff is nice!

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Nope. I don't like leather seats in any car.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

hmm..thats interesting..amanda also doesnt like leather...

my stratus has leather, my lebaron had leather, my ramcharger has leather. the demon HAD leather, but it has race buckets now. amanda doesnt like them because they get too hot for her legs in the summer, but i prefer them...i think that it adds a touch of class to the car, even a low-class car like my RT...:D

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I love leather interior. I wish my Intrepid had leather. Granted it can get hot during the summer, but they are offering cooling systems for the seats on some cars so that eliminates that problem.

It also depends on the quality of the leather. I'm not the biggest fan of GM's leather in some models. The leather that was in my friends 98 Grand Prix compared to the vinyl in my grandfather's 1985 F150, except the vynal was at least softer than that stuff. Also the leather in a 1997 Buick LeSabre also seems more like rubber or plastic than leather. The more recent leather from GM has improved. Mercedes on the other hand has gone downhill big time. They have very grainy leather on some models.

Chrysler products normally have very nice leather no matter what model it is. One thing I have noticed is that at autoshows, it seems as though some leather used in GM and Ford models seem to develop cracks very quickly. In contrast, the Chrysler models seem to hold up very well.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

That is definatley one of the big reasons I don't like the leather. We get shorts wearing weather more months out of the year than cold.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

*sings*

"who wears shorts short...?"

"techman wears shorts shorts"

:D

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

HAHA. Very funny, funny guy.

And remember when I said it was a record breaking 119F out here. Damn, leather would be like coals in a BBQ.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

i can certainly see your (and amandas) point, but what about in a luxury car?

on a side note, the leather in my lebaron convertible would get scortching hot in the summer....it would burn through clothes...

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I know luxury would be Leather. Maybe they can come up with an alternative, that isn't the basic cloth. Have you seen the new exec chairs that are made of that microfibre? Now that would be nice. They are very comfy. I am going to get one for my home office.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

my "office chair" here is a swiveling lazy boy...:D

i spend 12 hours a day in front of my computer...i want to be comfortable...[8D]

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I spend about that much time in front of a computer a day. But don't think the company will get ame a lazy boy. :(. Have to have what they provide because every office area has to be the same. Like, when I went to Farmington Hills, the cubicles looked the same as here.

At home., no room. The room 3rd bedroom is small enough, but it has my corner desk. a treadmill and Boflex. and a small TV.

I should though hit the carshow. It is here this week. But the motorcycle show is also this weekend. I should go to both. But it is all about the time. I haven't seen anything on if the challenger is there though. Usually when that is there, there is a right up about it. If I do go, I will take the camera.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Patrick: LOL! on the short shorts joke!

TechmanBD: I understand what you mean. Although I've never been to Southern California, 119F would burn bad enough on cloth let alone leather. There are nicer grades of cloth interior. The stuff that is in the previous GC is really good quality stuff (I haven't been in the current one so I can't compare it). Since they have a "premium leather" perhaps they should consider a premium cloth for those in extremely hot states.

Oh and BTW, quit your complaining about the chairs you guys have at work, at my campus the chairs have absolutely zero cushion.:D The classrooms at my highschool and below also had zero cushion to them, and we weren't allowed to bring in any cushions (unless for medical reasons).

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

If you want looks, Leather is it. If you want practicality, I like cloth better. During winter, you can sit on the
seats naked and not freeze your butt off and during the summer you can sit on the seat naked and not fry your go..... off.

In Texas, you can burn yourself on the steering wheel, gear shift, and vinyl/leather seats during hot summers.

If you have excellent quality foam rubber and premium quality cloth, that is my choice but I bet the Challenger will mostly come in leather.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Out of curosity, how cold does it get in Texas. They have seat warmers for that purpose.

Your right that leather is what it will mostly be offered in. Nowdays, leather is becoming more and more popular. I like it if it is good leather (ex. Chrysler's premium leather, Cadillac's leather, Mazda, Honda, etc.), but it it is cheap leather (Pontiac leather, 90s Buick, Ford leather) then I'd rather have cloth but if it is the supercheap cloth (found in last Firebirds & Camaros, 97-03 Grand Prixs) I don't know what I would prefer.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I didn't realize Texas got that cold either.

Luckily where I am at, I don't worry about getting too cold. But that can always change one day. or year. Have to wait at least 5 more years before we get move out of this area. But not sure where to. I would like to get out of CA, but she is not sure. It would have to be a place that doesn't get snow, because she doesn't like it.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Last week it was around the 20 degrees where I'm at. Everytown around us got hit hard with Ice and Snow except us (thank goodness). This week is a lot warmer thankfully.

So why do you have to wait five years to move out of CA? Have you ever thought about Oklahoma? My cousin has lived in Midwest City (not far from Oklahoma City) for around 35-40 years. They never get snow and their summers are mild, just watch out for tornadoes is all.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

The wife needs 5 more years to get full pention from her union.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Okay, I can see the point of that. So I guess you moved to CA to marry her, because it doesn't sound like your too crazy about CA?

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Nope, I was born and raised here. Lived in VA around DC Beltway for 3 years, other than that, been here.

Tired of prices going up and the job market staying the same or getting worse because these idiot gov't officials keep trying to add taxes to the corps, in return they say F U and pack up and leave and go to a state that offers tax breaks.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

I can relate. My home area is having problems partly due to that. The Southern States seem like they are the only places to find jobs these days.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

It has been as low as 28 this year but here is the latest forecast starting Tuesday December 5.

In the Panhandle, it always get hammered with freezing weather.

[IMG]local://upfiles/17/9F89B911F10545E880DBF3D561CEE946.jpg[/IMG]

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Was that during the day or the night?

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

Night.

I still remember a cold snap around 1993 in Houston that it stayed in the teens for 10 days straight. I will never forget that time.

Many homes in Houston have pipes that run in the attic. Many pipes froze and when they melted, they flooded houses. I remember
one plumber that made so much money doing house repairs that year that he bought himself a Cadillac. We have a lot of bayou's in Houston
and as a result many overpasses. There were 1200 accidents in Houston that weekend because of all of the slipping and sliding on ice.

We get a lot of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico that affects Houston and Central Texas which can freeze and cause a mess.

RE: 2006 Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept
 

We had days last week and before where it never gets above the 20s up here. I remember 1993. We had snow so bad we had to shutdown streets in my hometown.

From what I've been told, you guys in Houston get a lot of wet weather.