New for 2003
- Mach 1 high-performance
edition
- New exterior colors: Dark Shadow Gray, Azure Blue (Mach 1 only),
Redfire Clearcoat, Silver Clearcoat Metallic
- V-6 Pony Package offers the exterior visual appearance of the
GT with GT hood, a Pony tape stripe and leather-wrapped steering
wheel
- New V-6 hood
- Interior Upgrade Package
- Standard LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) System
Overview
On April 17, 1964, Ford's Mustang rolled onto the streets and changed
the automotive world. With its low profile, long hood and short
rear deck, Mustang promised performance, style and enough options
for buyers to express their own personality. The original Mustang
still is considered one of the greatest automotive success stories
of all time.
Today, Mustang shares this heritage in performance and design and
outsells every other car in the hotly contested small-specialty
segment. The legendary Mustang also is the best-selling convertible
in America and a preferred racer on local tracks all over the country.
For 2003, Ford is boosting enthusiasm with two special-edition Mustangs
Ð the Mach 1 and Pony.
Mustang is the nation's best-selling convertible. In total, customers
purchased 54,783 Ford convertibles in 2001 (17.6 percent of U.S.
convertible market), surpassing all other makes by more than 7,500
units.
Mustang comes in Standard, Deluxe and Premium trims with a V-6
or V-8 engine. It is built in Dearborn, Michigan.
New Pony Package
From its earliest days, Mustang has represented affordable performance
and style. The product strategy always has been to offer a wide
range of models Ð from base models to GTs to special editions Ð
and make certain there is a Mustang that will meet nearly every
budget. So even though the base Mustang might not offer the ultimate
performance and speed of the top model, it proudly carries the spirit
that has made the car a living legend.
The 2003 Mustang Pony is a special-edition appearance package offered
on the V-6 model. The Pony package combines 16-inch, polished-aluminum
wheels, unique striping with "Mustang Stampede" graphics,
a special rear bumper with blackened "Mustang" lettering,
a GT hood and scoop, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Comfort and Convenience
The 2003 Mustang has reduced wind noise thanks to expandable foam
seals around the body, particularly at the outside door handles
and belt molding on the doors.
Standard comfort and convenience features include air conditioning,
power windows and door locks, tilt steering column, full-length
center floor console, remote keyless entry system and interval windshield
wipers.
Reclining cloth front bucket seats are standard, as are 50/50 split-folding
rear seatbacks on coupe models. A six-way power driver's seat is
available, as are leather-trimmed bucket seats.
An interior overhead storage net is standard on all coupes. The
Mustang convertible features a power retractable fabric top with
a hydraulic system that allows for quick raising and lowering. The
convertible top features a scratch-resistant glass rear window and
black semi-hard boot, which protects the top from dust when lowered,
and provides an aerodynamic exterior appearance.
Powertrain
The standard Mustang engine is a 3.8-liter OHV V-6, producing 190
horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 220 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm.
The engine features split-port induction, which helps optimize fuel
economy, along with enhanced-flow cylinder heads and anti-friction
piston coatings.
GT models have a standard 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 that produces 260
horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 302 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The engine features large valves, equal-length intake manifold runners,
and cams with high lift and long duration to maximize engine air
intake for increased horsepower. A coil-on-plug ignition system
provides improved ignition control for more consistent starting.
Combustion chambers are shaped for optimum power and fuel efficiency,
and aluminum upper main, upper thrust and rod bearings help to improve
engine durability.
New for 2003, the Mach 1 models have a standard 4-valve, DOHC 4.6-liter
V-8 producing over 300 horsepower.
The Mustang GT uses the Tremec TR3650 manual transmission with
a tall 5th gear ratio for improved fuel economy.
For 2003, both V-6 and V-8 engines are more refined with stiffer
accessory drive brackets and improved bearings to reduce variability.
Ride and Handling
New for 2003, Mustang has a retuned suspension, including new shock
absorbers. New microcellular urethane jounce bumpers make engagement
upon impact more progressive, and a pinion snubber on the top of
the rear axle reduces the amount of axle travel to improve ride
quality.
Mustang's rear-wheel drive layout provides excellent performance
feel and handling response. Mustang uses a modified MacPherson strut
front suspension to allow each wheel to react to road imperfections
independently, while its weight balance of 57 percent front, 43
percent rear contributes to agility. Four-bar link rear suspension
and power rack-and-pinion steering are standard on all Mustang models.
A traction-lock rear axle, standard on the GT, transfers driving
force to the rear wheel with the best traction for improved performance
on slippery or uneven surfaces and under strong acceleration.
Safety and Security
The 2003 Mustang features improved head-impact safety features,
including a new A-pillar, headliners, sun visors and a revised D-ring
seat belt attachment. The firing strategy on both driver and passenger
side air bags also has been updated.
Front safety belts with pretensioners to tighten the lap and shoulder
belts in the first moments of a crash also are standard. Energy-management
retractors gradually slacken the safety belt, if necessary, to help
reduce the force of the belt on the occupant's chest. BeltMinderª
provides a gentle reminder to the driver to buckle up.
New for 2003, Mustang has added anchorages in the rear seat to
implement the industry-standard LATCH system for child safety seat
attachment.
Standard on GT and available on V-6, the anti-lock braking system
and four-wheel disc brakes enhance stopping power, while all-speed
traction control harnesses drive forces. A second-generation air
bag restraint system helps provide occupant protection in frontal
collisions.
The Mustang is fitted with an emergency trunk release handle to
guard against trunk entrapment.
The SecuriLockª passive anti-theft system scans an encoded chip
embedded in the proper ignition key to help prevent a thief from
starting the engine.
Heritage Lives in Mustang Mach 1
The new Mustang Mach 1 was born out of the passion of Mustang enthusiasts
across America.
The most visually arresting design cue on the 2003 Mach 1 is the
"shaker" scoop. The ram air scoop channels fresh air to
the intake, increasing the breathing for improved power and torque.
The scoop and the center powerdome hood are finished in low-gloss
black.
The C-pillars feature a unique trim appliqué that gives the roofline
a subtle throwback appearance. To enhance the low-to-the-ground
appearance, the car features another classic Mach 1 trait, an air
dam extension, painted low-gloss black. A low-gloss black stripe
runs the length of the side just above the rocker moldings.
Sitting inside Mach 1 is a blast from the past. The seats have
increased lateral support and are trimmed in one-of-a-kind "comfort
weave" black leather that is reminiscent to the material that
was unique to the original Mach 1.
The center stack and shifter bezel are painted in a gray accent
finish and highlighted by an aluminum shift boot ring and aluminum
shifter ball. The accelerator, brake, clutch and dead pedals are
polished aluminum. The gray-backed instrument cluster features unique
retro-look dials. Mach 1 comes standard with the Mach 460 six-disc
in-dash CD changer audio system.
Mach 1 is powered by a 4.6-liter, 32-valve, dual-overhead-cam V-8.
The engine makes use of specially calibrated cams, a modified upper
intake to accommodate the ram-air system, a forged crank (cast crank
in automatic transmission application) and performance exhaust manifolds
to produce more than 300 horsepower.
The vehicle is lowered one-half of an inch and is equipped with
a firmer suspension for improved handling. The handling package
includes new front and rear coil springs with adapted load and rate,
Tokico struts and shocks, unique stabilizer bars front and rear
and added frame rail connectors to stiffen the body.
Thirteen-inch front rotors and performance calipers provide excellent
stopping capability. The calipers have a black-anodized finish and
are visible through 17-inch Magnum 500 wheel spokes. Mach 1 comes
standard with anti-lock brakes and traction control.
In 1969, the Mach 1 was one of three new Mustang models. It featured
fastback body, an aggressively raked air dam, rear spoiler, "comfort-weave"
leather-trimmed seats and the now-famous "shaker hood scoop"
mounted directly onto the carburetor and fitted through an opening
in the hood.
