Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1996
In 1996 Ford retired the old 302 ci (3.94 CMC) engine from the Mustang GT. It was produced for more than three decades, and the new 4.6-liter was better.
The Mustang's third generation was introduced in 1993, and it came right after the Fox-body Mustang, a car that almost ruined the nameplate. But Ford recovered well and introduced a car that changed the course of the pony-car.
First of all, the fourth-generation Mustang was the first that was not available as a sedan anymore. It was built only as a fastback (hatchback) or convertible. Unlike its predecessor, it was designed with curved lines and swept headlights. The black, trapezoidal grille featured the silver running horse in the middle. The carmaker installed a small wing in the back and a special set of light-alloy wheels with five spokes instead of the previously used three, double-spoke, ones on the GT version. The taillights featured three vertical lamps instead of the previously used three horizontal ones. It was closer to the original 1964 ½ design.
Inside, the Mustang GT featured leather upholstery and front bucket seats with higher bolstering on the sides. The six white dials on the dashboard and the design inspired by two-seat race-cars made the car more appealing. It was not a revolution on the inside since Ford put its efforts into the drivetrain.
There was a completely new engine with OHC (on-head cams) instead of the older pushrod system under the hood. It offered the same power and torque as its predecessor, but it was lighter. The front suspension was improved with the addition of a reinforcing cross-car brace between the struts towers. From the performance-wise, it was not such a big gain, but the fuel-efficiency was increased.
ENGINE SPECS - 4.6 | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 4601 cm3 |
Power: | 160 KW @ 4400 RPM 218 HP @ 4400 RPM 215 BHP @ 4400 RPM |
Torque: | 285 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 386 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | Manual, 5 Speed |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 181.5 in (4610 mm) |
Width: | 71.8 in (1824 mm) |
Height: | 53.2 in (1351 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.5/59.2 in (1,537/1,504 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 101.3 in (2573 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.2 in (132 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3411 lbs (1547 kg) |