2006 L.A. Auto Show: Mustang Giugiaro Concept

Ford has gone Italian for some inspiration. The future of the Mustang may look something like this concept designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro of Italdesign. This may be just a concept — a flight of car-designer fancy — but many think it portends the next Mustang, arriving sometime near the end of the decade. We think it looks a lot like the Chevy Camaro concept shown at Detroit last year. The designer does deserve credit, however, for making it a fully functional 500-hp Mustang that can be driven on any street.

What do you think? Check out the slew of pictures below and check back on our full L.A. Auto Show coverage tomorrow for a full report and photos of the car in the flesh.

Comments

[jim bob dunlap]

EGH! that is so a copy of the camaro! Retro is so old now, everyone has run it into a hole in the ground! Atleast the camaro doesn't look fully retro, more of a modern car with hints of background, not just a quick modernized copy of the original version.

[Lil'Tom]

I think this looks much better than the new Camaro—but that's not saying much. The only thing that makes me think Camaro is the nose. From the profile, the curve of the the roofline reminds me of the GR1 concept (I realize that's quite a stretch), but the sheet metal below it reminds me of a Tiburon. I suppose it's hard to judge from photos alone. I like the underlying idea and general direction they want to go in.

Two things that don't belong on a Mustang are the scissor doors, and the pimplicious interior. I realize the doors symbolize the Italian heritage, but I think most Mustang people will look at them and just think “rice.” I can't comprehend the rationale behind the interior, however Ford can hold on to the idea and use it whenever they feel they need to do 40s retro.

[sum dude]

I for one am glad Ford is finally deciding to do somthing new to the Mustang, even though it does resemble the Camaro. I agree with Lil'Tom that it dosen't need that interior. Sure more car companies are going retro but the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger were big selling cars for their time (from what I know), maybe bringing the styles back will help these companies, maybe it won't, only time will tell. I still prefer the Camaro over the other two.

[daniel]

That ass end with the water falling tail lights is hot. It seems he chose to forgo the trunk in favor of a seamless look. It is nice. Nice n useless. The interior is cool except for the horse hide and the classic Mustang logo in the horn area doesn't fit in with his concept. The Lambo doors are now officially bling city. I'd like to read Robert Cumberford's critique of it in Automobile magazine.

[Joe Wiesenfelder]

Camaro? Doesn't anyone see BMW 6 Series?

[matt]

i think its ugly. we just got out of two of the most displeasing mustang looks (80s-2005) and they want to change it to that!..keep it retro..keep it MUSCLE!

There are some great styling cues here. Ford would be wise to use this design as a springboard for future Mustang incarnations.

[Dave T.]

Nope, no 6 series here.

[Abhishek]

The new Mustang rocks, does look like the Cammaro, but only better. For all Mustang fans this is a treat.

[M3]

What a truly bizarre concept, an Italian-flavored American muscle car. Kind of a bastard love child between a Lambo and a Mustang. The cow-hide seats would likely lose all their fur and shed everywhere as they wear out, stick with plain leather. Ditch the utterly useless back seats and save weight and cost. Maybe make the rear hatch a single piece of glass, thus saving the styling while still allowing access to the trunk. Still, a very thought-provoking concept car.

[J]

With a Camaro's front fascia, Viper's body shape, and a Mustang's name. Way to go, Ford!

[Jess KinCaid]

I am a Mustang owner (4 of them> I think this car is Great Looking. I would but one.

[Jim Triebwasser]

What will make it to production:
The overall shape of the car is 9 out of 10.
The deck is a bit too short and the hood too long.
Good front view. Some resemblance to the Bowtie, but retains the angular Shelby shape, which does det it apart.

What won't:
Electric doors
The interior...I won't go there!
The tail end needs some work, especially the lights
Forget the glass roof

Add:
The hood needs another level AKA the 2003/04 Mach 1, and a Shaker hood

500 hp...acheivable. I'm in.

[Chris R.]

What ever it is, it's horrible. My dogs have left better looking things in tightly coiled piles on the lawn. It is an insult for that piece of fecal matter to even were the badges of a mustang. I could ram my finger down my throat and come up with something that looks better than that interior, actually better than the whole car. And I thought the MustangII was bad.

[Kane]

Ford seems to have no shame when it comes to stealing designs. And they had the nerve to unveil it like it was original. Although they did improve on the Camaro's look, it's still a nock-off.

[Dr. Johnny]

Sehr interesant, und neue aussehend. Ich denke wenn ich genug Geld haette, wuerde ich ein kaufen. Die Sitzen muessen veraendert werden. Pferd Haar? Verrueckt.

[eric]

It looks like one ugly BMW! The glass roof is awful. The rear-end is ugly. I think that it's a disgrace to the Mustang name. I love Mustangs. I've owned three different styles of the Mustang. God I hope Ford doesn't do this to such a classic car.

[Tyler Stevens]

Yea, definately a steal off of the 08' Chevy Camaro.

Pro's-
-Rear half of the car retains the classic look of a Mustang.
-Good looking tailights
-Plenty of chrome for those, "shiny look" lovers.

Con's-
-You can tell it's an italian design,
they think cowhide looks good on
everything. Which is false.
-Wheres the trunk?
-A solid glass roof, thats asking for a lawsuit from an accident victim.
-Interior should be classic colors, i.e. red,
black and maybe a deep blue, no furs.

[Jasmine Richards]

I love every thing about the car except that the interior is cow hide!!!! Ugly!

I like the rest of the interior though it is a good start just take out the cow hide. If anything you should have faux fure that is like satin or something like that!!!
Good outer "shell" I don't like the glass though.

[Bobby]

i dont like the seats everythign else is tha shizz