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New For 2003 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.
Click To View Full Screen
Photo: Ford Motor Company
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. |
 Click To View Full Screen Photo: Ford Motor Company |
| 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. |
 Click To View Full Screen Photo: Ford Motor Company |
Comments
| POWERTRAIN
2003 Specifications BODY STYLES 2-door coupe/ POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS EPA Class Subcompact Drivetrain Layout Rear-wheel drive Engine Type 3.8L V-6 Valvetrain V-6 OHV, 2 valves per cylinder Bore/Stroke V-6 3.8 x 3.4/96.5 x 86.3 V-8 3.6 x 3.6/91.4 x 91.4 Displacement V-6 232/3802 V-8 281/4605 Compression Ratio V-6 9.36:1 V-8 9.4:1 Horsepower @ rpm V-6 190 @ 5250 V-8 260 @ 5250 Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm V-6 220 @ 2750 V-8 302 @ 4000 Redline V-6 5500 V-8 6000 Recommended Fuel 87 octane minimum Fuel System Sequential multi-port electronic fuel
injection Oil Capacity with filter 5 Coolant Capacity V-6 12.6 V-8 14.8 Transmission 5-speed manual overdrive/ Final Drive Ratio 3.27:1 Gear Ratios V-6 GT V-6/GT 1st 3.35:1 3.37:1 2.84:1 2nd 1.99:1 1.99:1 1.55:1 3rd 1.33:1 1.33:1 1.00:1 4th 1.00:1 1:00.1 0.70:1 5th 0.68:1 0.67:1 - Reverse 3.15:1 3.22:1 2.32.1 Suspension Front Independent, modified MacPherson strut with separate spring
on lower arm and stabilizer bar Rear Non-independent four-bar link with coil springs on lower
arm and stabilizer bar (GT) only. STEERING Type Power rack-and-pinion Ratio 15.0:1 on center Turns Lock-to-Lock 2.74 (V-6) / 2.62 (V-8) Turning Circle, Curb-to-Curb (ft) 37.1 (V-6) / 38.1 (V-8) Traction Control Available all-speed system Brakes Brakes (system type) 4-wheel power disc with available ABS; optional
four-channel ABS Front 10.5 in. single piston caliper with solid
rotors Front 10.8 in. twin piston aluminum caliper with vented
rotors Rear 8 in x 1.5 in, drum and hub assembly (V-6) Total Swept Area (sq in) Front 230.3/ Wheels and Tires 16-in 5-spoke aluminum wheel, includes P225/55R16
tires 17-in 5-spoke aluminum wheel, includes 245/45ZR17
tires 17-in 5-spoke premium aluminum wheel, includes 245/45RZ17
tires Number of Lug Nuts 5 CONSUMER INFO Assembly Plant Dearborn, Michigan, USA Basic Warranty 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-bumper Roadside Assist 3 years/36,000 miles Air bags Driver and front
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| DIMENSIONS
Coupe Convertible EXTERIOR Wheelbase 101.3 101.3 Track f/r 60.2/60.6 60.2/60.6 Overall Length 183.2 183.2 Overall Width 73.1 73.1 Overall Height 53.1 53.2 Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3066 3208 Weight % f/r 57/43 57/43 Towing Capacity Max (lbs) 1000 1000 Towing Class Rating Class I Class I INTERIOR Seating Capacity 4 4 Legroom f/r (max/min) 42.6/29.9 42.6/29.9 Shoulder Room f/r 53.6/52.1 53.6/41.4 Hip Room f/r 52.3/47.4 52.3/41.0 Headroom f/r 38.1/35.5 38.0/35.8 Passenger Volume (cu ft) 83.0 n/a Luggage Capacity (cu ft) 10.9 7.7 Total Interior Volume (cu ft) 93.9 n/a Fuel Capacity (gal) 15.7 15.7 All dimensioins and capacities are in inches unless otherwise
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