S197 Mustang (fifth generation)
2005–2014
The retro redesign that brought the Mustang home to its 1960s roots. Built on Ford's new D2C platform, the 2005 S197 traded the SN95's "New Edge" look for an unmistakable long-hood/short-deck fastback shape with tri-bar taillamps, and it was named Motor Trend's 2005 Car of the Year. It kept a solid (live) rear axle throughout, paired a V6 with a 4.6-liter 3-valve V8 in the GT, then took a major leap for 2011 when the 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 (412 hp) arrived alongside a new 305-hp V6. The generation hosted a deep performance bench — the Shelby GT500, the Boss 302, and the GT500's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 — and was offered only as a coupe or convertible.
Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
2005–2014
Overview
The retro redesign that brought the Mustang home to its 1960s roots. Built on Ford's new D2C platform, the 2005 S197 traded the SN95's "New Edge" look for an unmistakable long-hood/short-deck fastback shape with tri-bar taillamps, and it was named Motor Trend's 2005 Car of the Year. It kept a solid (live) rear axle throughout, paired a V6 with a 4.6-liter 3-valve V8 in the GT, then took a major leap for 2011 when the 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 (412 hp) arrived alongside a new 305-hp V6. The generation hosted a deep performance bench — the Shelby GT500, the Boss 302, and the GT500's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 — and was offered only as a coupe or convertible.
Milestones
Highlights
- All-new retro S197 on the Ford D2C platform; Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2005.
- Retained a solid (live) rear axle for the entire generation.
- The 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 and a new 305-hp V6 arrived for the 2011 refresh.
- Performance halo cars included the Shelby GT500, the Boss 302, and the supercharged 5.8-liter GT500.
- Coupe and convertible body styles only.
Model years in this generation