• 2005 Ford Mustang V-6 Coupe remains America's lowest-priced rear-wheel drive sports car, starting at $19,410 (US dollars) for the Deluxe model and $19,995 (US dollars) for the Premium coupe (including destination and delivery charges)

• 2005 Ford Mustang GT Coupe is the most affordable 300-horsepower sports car, starting at $24,995 (USD) (including destination and delivery charges) for the V-8 model

Please note: all prices in this article are expressed in US dollars (USD)

Ford has announced that the 2005 Ford Mustang – an all-new version of America’s best-selling sports car – will be priced at $19,410 for the V-6 Coupe. The V-8 powered Ford Mustang GT will begin at $24,995, making it the most affordable 300-horsepower sports car in the American automotive industry.

Mustang has thrived for 40 years by staying true to the basic formula established in 1964: great design and affordable performance. The new 2005 Ford Mustang continues that tradition with an all-new platform and clean-sheet design that makes it faster, safer, more agile and better looking than ever.

"Today, we’re delivering on the promise that we made to Mustang and sports car aficionados earlier this year," said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. "We’re delivering real value with a well-equipped 2005 Mustang V-6 Coupe for under $20,000 and the V-8 Mustang GT for under $25,000, which is quite fitting for a car that is unparalleled in so many ways."

The Mustang is part of the most aggressive rollout of new cars, trucks and SUVs in Ford history. By year-end, Ford Division dealers will field a showroom where more than 60 percent of the vehicles are all new or significantly freshened. In addition to Mustang, new products include the Ford F-150 and F-Series Super Duty pickups, Freestyle, Five Hundred, Focus, Escape, Escape Hybrid and Ford GT.

All of these designs are among the more than 65 new products Ford, Lincoln and Mercury are introducing in North America during the next five years. Next year, Ford will add the Ford Mustang Convertible, which will be unveiled in January at the 2005 Los Angeles Motor Show.

The most attainable Mustang is the well-equipped V-6 Coupe Deluxe model, which has a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19,410. This includes the destination and delivery charge. Taxes, title and license fees are not included.

Major standard equipment includes:

• 210-horsepower, 4.0-litre SOHC V-6 engine with Tremec 5-speed manual transmission

• 16-inch painted cast aluminium wheels with all-season tyres

• Air conditioning, dual power mirrors and rear window defroster

• AM/FM stereo with single CD player

• Four wheel power disc brakes, with the biggest rotors and stiffest calipers ever fitted to a mainstream Mustang

• Ford Personal Safety System^TM, with standard occupant classification sensing to tailor the deployment of the front passenger air bag

• Power door locks with remote keyless entry and power windows with driver and passenger door one-touch up/down

Major options and appearance packages available on all Mustang V-6 Coupe models include an exterior sport appearance package ($295), interior upgrade package ($450), 5-speed automatic transmission ($995), anti-lock brakes with all-speed traction control ($775), side air bags ($370), leather seating surfaces ($695) and an active anti-theft system ($255).

The industry’s most affordable 300-horsepower sports car is the Ford Mustang GT Coupe model, which has a base MSRP of $24,995. This includes the destination and delivery charge. Taxes, title and license fees are not included.

Major standard equipment includes:

• 300-horsepower, 4.6-litre SOHC 3-valve V-8 engine with Tremec 5-speed manual transmission

• Four wheel power disc brakes with four-channel anti-locking braking and all-speed traction control

• Stainless steel dual exhaust with unmistakable Mustang sound

• Front fog lamps in grille, a rear spoiler and tilt steering wheel

• 17-inch painted cast aluminium wheels with Z-rated performance tyres

• Air conditioning, dual power mirrors and rear window defroster

• AM/FM stereo with single CD player

• Ford Personal Safety System^TM, with standard occupant classification sensing to tailor the deployment of the front passenger air bag

• Power door locks with remote keyless entry and power windows with driver and passenger door one-touch up/down

The Mustang GT Coupe Premium model, which adds a Shaker 500 audio system with six-disc CD player and MP3 capability and Aberdeen leather-trimmed embossed sport bucket seats, begins at $26,330.

Major options available on all Mustang GT Coupe models include an interior upgrade package ($450), interior color enhancement package ($175), 5-speed automatic transmission ($995), side air bags ($370), 17-inch bright machined aluminium wheels ($195), active anti-theft system ($255) and Shaker 1000 audio system ($1,295).

The 2005 Ford Mustang, which will be manufactured at the Auto Alliance International assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich., will begin arriving in American and Canadian Ford showrooms in October 2004.