• All-new for 2006 model year "Pony Package" offers Mustang V-6 customers a GT-inspired suspension with larger wheels and tyres, custom grille with fog lamps and other notable enhancements.
• Mustang GT now available with four distinct wheel and tyre combinations, including two all-new 18-inch wheels and tyres complemented by unique suspension tuning.
• Two new Mustang colours debut – Vista Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Tungsten Grey Clearcoat Metallic, first shown on the 2004 NAIAS Mustang show car.

Ford Mustang – the hottest car in America – gallops into the 2006 model year with new product improvements announced last week at the Mid-America Ford Performance & Shelby Meet in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For 2006, Ford Mustang will offer customers more customisation potential with the all-new "Pony Package," providing Mustang V-6 customers a GT-inspired suspension with larger wheels and tyres, custom grille with fog lamps and other enhancements.

Mustang GT customers can now also choose between four different wheel and tyre packages – the most ever offered on a V-8 powered Mustang – including two new 18-inch wheels and tyres complemented by unique suspension tuning. In addition, two new Mustang colours – Vista Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Tungsten Grey Clearcoat Metallic – join the colour palette for 2006.

"Over the years, Mustang’s success has always been tied to our customers’ ability to customise their car direct from the factory," says Robert Parker, Ford Car marketing manager. "For 2006, we’re taking a page from the Mustang history book and are offering customers increased customisation potential with the exciting new "Pony Package" on Mustang V-6 models. In addition, we’ve added two 18-inch wheel choices for our performance-minded GT buyers."

Ride Pony, Ride

From sporty two-door coupe to high-performance hot-rod, Mustang has fit the needs of America’s sports-car enthusiasts for more than 42 years.

For 2006, Ford debuts the new "Pony Package" on V-6 coupe and convertible "Premium" models. The Mustang V-6 "Pony Package" offers tremendous performance value, adding the following equipment:

• Customised "Pony" grille encompassing GT-model-like round fog lamps and a chrome bezel around the traditional Mustang prancing horse
• GT-inspired suspension featuring a larger front stabiliser bar, the addition of a rear stabiliser bar and P235/55ZR 17-inch tyres on painted cast aluminium wheels with bright machined rims and unique tri-bar Pony centre caps – the largest wheels and tyres ever fitted to a V-6 Mustang
• Pony front fender badges, lower door tape stripe and carpeted front floor mats with special brushed chrome "Mustang" logos and a rear spoiler
• 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control

Customers also can continue to customise the interior of both the Mustang V-6 and GT models with an Interior Upgrade Package, Interior Sport Appearance Package and the Interior Colour Enhancement Package.

More Wheels for Your Pony

Mustang GT also enters the 2006 model year with two new 18-inch wheel and tyre combinations – the largest tyres ever fitted to a production V-8 Mustang since the 2000 SVT Cobra R model – and unique suspension tuning calibrated to the larger treads. Customers who order Mustang GT with the larger wheels and tyres receive recalibrated shocks and struts to compensate for the unique handling characteristics of Mustangs shod with 18-inch rubber.

Mustang GT customers can now choose from the following four wheel and tyre combinations:

• Standard P235/55 ZR17 Pirelli "PZERO" tyres on painted aluminium wheels
• Optional P235/55 ZR17 Pirelli "PZERO" tyres on bright machined-aluminium wheels
• Optional P235/50 ZR18 BFGoodrich "Touring TA" tyres on polished aluminium wheels
• Optional P235/50 ZR 18 BFGoodrich "Touring TA" tyres on premium aluminium wheels

Sales, Share and Production Gains

Since its launch in 2004, the new model Mustang has quickly become the hottest selling car in America. Sales of the new 2005 model are up more than 25 percent this year.

Increasing sales gains have also been accompanied by share gains. Nearly one out of every two sports car sold in America this year has been a Mustang, with the car garnering more than three and a half times as many sales as its closest competitor in the small specialty segment, which features sports coupes such as the Pontiac GTO, Nissan 350Z and Chrysler Sebring amongst others.

In March, the company announced that it will take production of the hot new Mustang to more than 192,000 units in 2005 – an increase of more than 70 percent, or 80,000 units, from the previous year.