Why I Drove the Final Fifth-Generation Mustang

When I traveled to the U.S. for coverage of theLos Angeles Motor Showheld in late November, and considered how I would get around locally, the first thing that came to mind was wanting to drive a Mustang convertible.

As you may already know,the sixth-generation new model Mustang was announced on December 5th(it was surprisingly stylish, and I was instantly smitten), but at the time of the LA Motor Show coverage, it was just before that. However, Ford had already announced the December 5th reveal, so I also wanted to experience the final model of the current generation one more time.

Nevertheless, the new sixth-generation Mustang will be presented as a 2015 model in North America, so market introduction is unlikely before late 2014. Its arrival in Japan will be even further out, meaning there's still a chance to purchase the current model. After all, even though the new model has been unveiled, we still have to wait a bit longer for the official production model announcement.

And on April 17th, a grand 50th-anniversary birthday event is scheduled. In other words, 2014 is a Mustang-centric commemorative year, but it's also true that it will take some time to get our hands on the anticipated new model.



There's another reason I chose the Mustang convertible. This particular vehicle is actually a rental from Hertz. In the U.S., where air travel is common, rental cars are widely and readily accepted. Of course, being an automotive nation, there are enthusiasts who drive their beloved cars across the country from coast to coast over several days, but for busy travelers, flying and then renting a car is the most reliable option.

Just like typical rental car companies in Japan, in the U.S., cars are usually categorized by class, such as 'compact' or 'intermediate,' but you don't know what car you'll get until you arrive. However, with Hertz, you can choose cars by category and class, and for some models, you can even select the specific make and model.

The Mustang convertible is one of the models available for pinpoint reservation by specific model. Since I was in California, wouldn't it be a small, understandable indulgence for any car enthusiast to want a sports car for their travels rather than a boring one?

The Mustang's Strengths That European Car Enthusiasts Should Know

While the Mustang is perceived in Japan as a sports car for American car fans or connoisseurs, it's incredibly popular in California. In fact, during my travels, I saw Mustangs, and convertibles at that, here and there among oncoming traffic. The number I saw daily far exceeded that of its rival, the Chevrolet Camaro. Some were in flashy body colors rarely seen in Japan, and the owner cars here are truly rich in individuality.

Even driving alone 6,000 km away from Japan, I felt a sense of camaraderie (unilaterally, of course) with fellow enthusiasts, and just seeing them made me happy.



While the convertible model sold in Japan is equipped with a V8 engine, the V6 model is apparently more popular in the U.S. The engine, like that in the V6 coupe, is a 3.7-liter unit producing a maximum output of 227 kW (309 hp) and a peak torque of 378 Nm (38.7 kgm).

While not tuned for the instantaneous response often advertised in modern sports cars, stepping on the accelerator delivers the intended power immediately, allowing the driver to control the car precisely as intended. There's none of the sluggishness often associated with American cars. On the contrary, because the torque delivery isn't abrupt, you can confidently press the pedal and feel a strong sense of control over the vehicle.



The steering offers a smooth, tactile feel, and the car faithfully turns its nose inward in proportion to how much you turn the wheel. In corners, the nimble handling, without making you conscious of the car's weight, is a pleasure. In fact, the body weight of this V6 convertible is only 1,656 kg.

Despite its macho styling, it's surprisingly well-composed for its size. The driving dynamics resulting from its relatively light weight are quicker and more controllable than you might expect. Many European car enthusiasts might think, 'American cars are floaty and comfortable, but you can't possibly drive them sportily.'—These are the merits of the Mustang that I'd like to share with them.

A Wild Horse Loved for 50 Years

Although convertibles inherently have less body rigidity than coupes, the steering feedback is precise, hinting at a surprising level of mechanical accuracy. With a coupe, you'd also get a more taut body, allowing for a drive on winding roads (while being mindful of its size) with a considerably high average speed, precisely as intended.

For reference, the Japanese-market convertible measures 4,815mm in length, 1,880mm in width, and 1,415mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,720mm. While it might seem large at first glance, considering today's larger D-segment sports cars, it's not an excessively large sports car, much like its weight.

The grip of the front tires and the road conditions transmitted through the steering wheel felt exactly as I expected. The feeling of controlling 300 horsepower myself was an indescribable pleasure. To use a worn-out phrase, it's a sense of 'human-horse unity.' The assessment of American cars being crude simply doesn't apply to the Mustang here.



Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the current model's unveiling at the 2004 Detroit Motor Show. While it's true that the convertible shows its age in some aspects, such as needing to release the locks above the windshield to open, compared to modern fully automatic convertibles, the current final model, refined through meticulous improvements since its debut, has reached a mature state in its driving, design, and quality.

The soft top is sufficiently thick, ensuring practical levels of quietness when closed. The LED taillights, which are red normally and turn white when reversing, are also an excellent design feature. Incidentally, the North American specification taillights are unified in red, which adds a superb accent to the sporty form.

The first Mustang was born in 1964, a time when, as depicted in films like 'Always: Sunset on Third Street,' Japan was just recovering from the war and beginning to look forward with the construction of Tokyo Tower and the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics. At that time, America had already created the 'specialty car' category, and people were enjoying a life with cars, regardless of gender, by driving Mustangs.

However, even without considering such logic, a Mustang parked in California, especially along the coast, simply looks cool. Its appearance is the very picture of the sports car everyone dreams of.

Driving the current, refined model for three years before switching to the upcoming sixth generation—is not a bad way to fully enjoy an American sports car. The history and the enduring appeal of the Mustang, loved for 50 years, are what allow for such daydreams.

Ford Mustang V6 Premium Convertible
Body Size | Length 188.5 x Width 73.9 x Height 55.8 inches (4,788 x 1,877 x 1,417 mm)
Wheelbase | 107.1 inches (2,720 mm)
Tread Front/Rear | 62.0 / 62.9 inches (1,575 / 1,598 mm)
Trunk Capacity | 9.6 ft² (272 liters)
Weight | (MT) 3,630 lbs. (AT) 3,652 lbs. ((MT) 1,647 kg (AT) 1,657 kg)
Engine | 3.7-liter V6 DOHC
Compression Ratio | 10.5 : 1
Bore x Stroke | 95.5 x 86.7 mm
Maximum Output | 305 ps / 6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque | 280 lb.-ft (380 Nm) / 4,250 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed MT / 6-speed AT
Drivetrain | FR

*Above figures are for U.S. specification models