1999 Ford Mustang: New Styling,

Performance and Handling Upgrades

Top List of Evolutionary Changes

There's no mistaking that Ford Mustang for 1999 traces its heritage back to the original of 35 years ago. It's there in looks, concept and spirit. The latest evolution of this popular American icon is improved with design, powertrain and handling enhancements. These include significant power increases for the Mustang V-6 and V-8 engines, a new exterior design and, for the first time on Mustang, an optional traction control system.  "We've made improvements that are much more than skin-deep," said Janine Bay, Mustang chief program engineer. "The 1999 Mustang is true to its roots - customers get an exciting new design with enhanced performance."

DESIGN: UNMISTAKABLY MUSTANG, UNQUESTIONABLY NEW - Mustang - the sales leader in its segment for the past 12 years - continues with both coupe and convertible body styles in 1999.   Even sitting still, the 1999 Mustang looks fast and powerful.  "Our visual theme is based on the most stable geometric form - the pyramid," said Ken Grant, Mustang design manager. "We've also enhanced or revived some classic Mustang styling cues. Everything draws your eyes down to the road and leaves an impression of solidity. Mustang is all about being on the ground and driving."

The 1999 Mustang's shape draws equally from the knife-edge lines of the original Mustang and the taut, New-Edge design of the breakthrough GT90 concept supercar of a few years ago.  Slim, wraparound headlamps are new, and for the first time the rear deck is made of sheet molded compound, which reduces weight and eliminates corrosion.  Pronounced wheel arches are complemented by flat spokes on new 15-, 16- and 17-inch road wheels.  Larger, 3-inch-diameter, dual tail pipes on the GT provide improved exhaust sound and advertise the significant engine upgrades.

HERITAGE INSPIRED STYLING - Heritage cues include the classic long hood and short deck; a prominent hood scoop; enlarged, sculptured side scoops, with a bold triangular shape; and Mustang signature tri-bar taillamps. The galloping chrome pony centered on the grille is once again circled by a chrome "corral" band, as it was on the original Mustang launched in April 1964. All '99 Mustangs have a 35th-anniversary version of the tri-color-bar emblem on the sides of the front fenders. Other familiar details include a rear spoiler, honeycomb grille textures, and side character lines that echo the original Mustang even more than on the previous model.

POWERTRAIN: MORE PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE BOARD - Engines for the 1999 Mustang are refined to optimize horsepower and torque, which results in reductions in 0-60 mph and quarter-mile acceleration times.  "We've given more muscle to the Mustang engines," said Bill Koche, Mustang powertrain engineering manager. "Mustang enthusiasts will be
thrilled when they learn about our across-the-board enhancements."

Mustang's split-port-induction 3.81, V-6 engine gets a boost of 40 horsepower. It is now rated at 190 hp at 5,250 rpm, and torque is up by 10 foot-pounds, to 225 at 3,000 rpm.   The power increase was accomplished with a new intake manifold, cylinder head flow improvements and new, high-tech piston coatings for reduced friction. A first-order balance shaft has been added to further refine powertrain NVH.

The Mustang GT's 4.61, SOHC V-8 boasts an increase of 35 horsepower - now 260 at 5,250 rpm. Torque is up by 10 foot-pounds, to 300 at 4,000 rpm. New higher-lift, longer-duration camshafts, bigger valves, and revised intake manifold runners increase intake airflow above 2,000 rpm. Improved airflow and an improved combustion chamber shape creates more complete burning of the air/fuel mixture, which helps optimize power, fuel economy and emissions characteristics.  The GT's V-8 features coil-on-plug ignition, providing increased reliability and higher-energy spark for more efficient combustion properties.

CHASSIS: MORE STABILITY AND DRIVER CONTROL - For the first time, Mustang offers an all-speed traction control system, available on all models. When needed, it provides enhanced vehicle control, particularly on wet or slippery roads.  Mustang's system uses ABS sensors to detect excess drive-wheel spin. It helps reduce wheel slippage by retarding ignition timing, controlling fuel flow reduction, and cylinder cutoff in conjunction with brake application. The driver can control the system with a console-mounted on/off switch.

Other 1999 Mustang chassis improvements include reductions in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), improved steering center feel (more linear with reduced dead band), and turning circle reductions of 37 inches for the V-6 (from 40'- 1" to 37') and 33 inches for the GT (from 40'-8" to 37'- 11 ") to improve maneuverability. An increase of 1.5 inches in rear jounce travel and a 1.4-inch increase in rear track further enhance Mustang handling. For the convertible, underbody rail extenders have been added to reduce mid-car shake.

"It all adds up to the fact that the 1999 Mustang really has a lot to offer," Bay said. "Its design is strong, contemporary, and true to Mustang's original concept. Performance improvements make the 1999 models very exciting and satisfying to drive. Make no mistake about it, everything we've done makes Mustang better and better, building on its heritage of free-spirited fun in a rear-wheel-drive, all-American sports car."