Ford's pony car arrives in 2005 riding a new platform with six-inch wheelbase stretch and new powertrains packed below that classic long hood. The RWD chassis carries MacPherson struts and a three-link live axle with Panhard rod. Exterior styling is fresh although familiar Mustang signatures have been retained -- those C-scoops on flanks, tri-part lamps on the tail and a galloping pony in chrome planted at the center of the prow.
Mustang's cockpit also earns a makeover with new accessories like chrome gauge rings and aluminum trim panels, while an optional color-configured instrument cluster brings 125 color choices for backlighting the dashboard gauges. More standard equipment is aboard, such as one-touch up/down power windows, a keyless entry system and power locks.

Two powertrains motivate the new Mustang. Standard plant is a new 4.0-liter V6 for the base model pumping 210 hp. Mustang GT stocks a 4.6-liter V8 ripper pushing 300 hp. Five-speed manual transmissions are standard. The V8 has a Tremec 3650 gearbox, while the V6 uses a Tremec T5. Optional is a five-speed automatic. Trims work with packages -- V6 Deluxe and V6 Premium, GT Deluxe and GT Premium.

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Another legendary name at Ford -- Thunderbird -- morphs into a sleek two-seat roadster with strong power on tap from a big V8. The design is a contemporary homage to Ford's brilliant two-seat sports car from 1955. Thunderbird for 2005 shows rolled edges over finely carved fenders and tailored components such as retro-round headlights and chrome-coated grilles in egg-crate scheme, an indented air scoop centered on the hood, chrome air ports on flanks and round red lamps etched into a curvy tail.

Power comes from Ford's 3.9-liter aluminum V8 with electronic throttle control and variable cam timing. It delivers 280 hp with an automatic five-speed transmission and optional shift-it-yourself SelectShift mode. A colorful cockpit contains a pair of buckets and designer touches such as new aluminum appliqué trim doors and the center dash stack. In the cluster of instruments, the white-faced analog speedometer and tachometer use needles tinged in Thunderbird Blue. Safety systems extend to frontal and side-impact air bags for both seats. New body paints come with this year's 'Bird, such as Bronze and Vintage Mint Green.

A subcompact series grouped under the Focus label -- best-selling small car in the world -- subdivides into four formats as a four-door sedan, five-door station wagon and hatchbacks in three-door and five-door configurations. Model classification follows body styles with ZX3 for the three-door hatchback and ZX5 for the five-door hatch, ZX4 as a four-door sedan and ZXW for the wagon. Design revisions on the body for 2005 include new headlamp clusters, a larger diamond patterned grille and a fresh fascia with broad air intake and round fog lamps.

Focus provides surprising room from a concise cabin with twin buckets in front of a fold-down bench and back bay for gear. Two different four-cylinder engines add spark to Focus for 2005. A new base engine is the 2.0-liter Duratec plant producing 136 hp. The ZX4 ST performance sedan earns a 2.3-liter Duratec four-pack worth 151 hp. Brakes with ABS are standard on the ST sedan, but ABS shows up on the list of options for trims of S, SE and SES. Also, side-impact air bags are available on all Focus models this year.

Ford's new sedan brings the tight handling traits of a European touring car and a generous passenger compartment with seats for five plus luxury gear. Passengers ride higher than on seats in other sedans. Ford labels the design as Command Seating and compares the upright seat position to that of a high-hiked SUV.
The Five Hundred features front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. The AWD system is the Haldex equipment from Volvo. All issues draw power from a 3.0-liter Duratec V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transaxle by Aisin for FWD and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) by ZF-Batavia for all-wheel models.

Trims for Five Hundred consist of the well-equipped SE, deluxe SEL and top-flight Limited. The SE edition carries the CVT and disc brakes with anti-lock brake system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS), 17-inch aluminum wheels, a keyless entry keypad, air conditioning, power controls for windows and locks, six-way power for the driver's seat, front buckets and a split bench in back that folds down flat and a stereo system with CD player. Deluxe Limited rolls on 18-inch aluminum wheels and gets a premium stereo system with six-disc CD deck plus leather seats.