How the fifth-generation Ford Mustang evolved

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How the fifth-generation Ford Mustang evolved

From 2005 to 2014, the Ford Mustang made some alterations based on designer concepts in these sketches.

This very early sketch bears many of the hallmarks of 1990s design with what appears to be a very cab-forward layout and steeply sloping hood. From this angle it looks more likely to have a mid-engine layout than the classic front-engined Mustang.

Here we see several of the classic Mustang design cues including the forward-leaning shark-nose, long-hood/short-deck proportions and side scoop. The extremely short overhangs give the car an extremely short appearance although if this car retains the 2+2 layout, those suffering from claustrophobia would probably want to avoid the small, windowless rear.

Combining lines reminiscent of the 1960s Shelby Cobra Daytona coupe with Mustang cues including the side scoops, and GT500-style central driving lamps, this theme would have been a very different take on retro design.

Here we see one of numerous sketches that incorporate the “New Edge” design language Ford used in the late-1990s and early-2000s. The concave rear fascia and tri-bar taillamps are strongly reminiscent of the 1969 Mustang tail although the rest of the lines are much more modern.

The first of several views of this design theme shows a very blocky nose with a trapezoidal grille and a circular interpretation of the tri-bar taillamps.

Another view of the same theme from early 2000, this time showing a contrasting color blade behind the side-scoop. This theme features a very compact greenhouse without rear quarter windows.

This early 2000 theme gets the track oriented Cobra R treatment with an orange and black Trans Am Boss 302 color screen.

This theme incorporates a front-end look reminiscent of the 1970 Boss 302 with the headlights moved inboard flanked by the twin horizontal slats.

Another extremely blocky design theme based on the New Edge design language. While it has Mustang cues, it doesn’t really say “Mustang.”

Another straight-edge approach, this time with large round headlamps. It still looks more like a tank than a Mustang.

This Mustang sketch is strongly influenced by the 1995 Ford GT90 concept.

A mid-2000 sketch that finally begins to show a look that is very clearly Mustang. Here we see the first real hints of the 2005 Mustang. The twin horizontal turn-signals adjacent to the headlamps evoke the 1970 Mustang, an idea that would reappear in 2013 with the LED signature lighting.

A theme sketch that much more an evolution of the New-Edge 1999 production Mustang but with large round headlamps.

The beginnings of the 2005 Mustang are clearly visible here with both the side “hockey-stick” curve, the rectangular grille and the bucketed headlamps.

An exaggerated, stubbier looking version of what would eventually become the production 2005 Mustang.

The classic Mustang cues including side scoops, tri-bar taillamps and forward leaning grille in a very modern interpretation.

Another very modern Mustang, this time with horizontal tri-bar lamps previously only seen on the 1994 Mustang.

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This very early sketch bears many of the hallmarks of 1990s design with what appears to be a very cab-forward layout and steeply sloping hood. From this angle it looks more likely to have a mid-engine layout than the classic front-engined Mustang.

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