Doug "Burningman" Schramm and I had a chance to get a sneak peek of a Tungsten Grey 2006 Mustang V6 Convertible with Pony Package last weekend. We weren't allowed to take photos, but Doug was able to recreate what we saw.

The first thing you'll notice is the new grille. The Pony also has a new lower grille, but Doug and I forgot to inspect that. The standard wheels on the 2006 Pony are the same 17" wheels that were the standard "Bullitts" on the 2005 Mustang GT. I believe they are standard on the 2006 Mustang GT, but we'll have to see. The V6 Pony has a large pony & tribar fender badge, and I do mean large. It's 4" tall. The tape stripe on the rocker panel is the traditional thin-thick-thin design we've seen in the past (compare to standard V6).

FORD MUSTANG – THE HOTTEST CAR IN AMERICA – GALLOPS INTO 2006 WITH MORE CHOICES, NEW V-6 “PONY PACKAGE”

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

DEARBORN, Mich., June 9, 2005 – Ford Mustang – the hottest car in America – gallops into the 2006 model year with new product improvements announced today at the Mid-America Ford Performance & Shelby Meet in Tulsa, OK. For 2006, Ford Mustang will offer customers more customization potential with the all-new "Pony Package," providing Mustang V-6 customers a GT-inspired suspension with larger wheels and tires, custom grille with fog lamps and other enhancements.

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

"Over the years, Mustang’s success has always been tied to our customers’ ability to customize 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 customization 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. At a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,195, the Mustang V-6 "Pony Package" offers tremendous performance value, adding the following equipment:

• Customized "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 stabilizer bar, the addition of a rear stabilizer bar and P235/55ZR 17-inch tires on painted cast aluminum wheels with bright machined rims and unique tri-bar Pony center caps – the largest wheels and tires 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 customize the interior of both the Mustang V-6 and GT models with an Interior Upgrade Package, Interior Sport Appearance Package and the Interior Color Enhancement Package.

More Wheels for Your Pony

Mustang GT also enters the 2006 model year with two new 18-inch wheel and tire combinations – the largest tires 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 tires receive recalibrated shocks and struts to compensate for the unique handling characteristics of Mustang’s shod with 18-inch rubber.

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

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

Sales, Share and Production Gains

Since its launch in the fall of 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, with sales to individual retail customers up more than 44 percent.

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, Chrysler Sebring and Hyundai Tiburon.

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.

 

Hyundai Tiburon? What are they smoking in the press office??

 

Thanks for the post Brad

 

Ford was just saying what other cars are in that class of cars.

 

thanks for the info, brad

 

Good info... Just wish we could see the 18 inch rims!

 

Thanks for the info. Any pictures on the wheels?

 

Unique suspension tweaking? Does that mean we need to adjust or replace anything if we upgrade to 18" rims?

 

Mmmm. A larger front stabilizer bar PLUS a rear bar for the Pony version. Icing on the cake of cool option package.

Glad I'm ordering one.

OK, how 'bout them photos!!!!

 

I likey!

Can't wait to see real pics of it. And I was hoping for something other than the Bullitt wheels for the pony package, but it still looks good. Bullitts are getting old though. :sleep:

 

well the chop looks pretty darn good.

 

ewww....that front grill is gross IMO.

 

that front grill is CLASSIC Mustang!

 

Thought I would like the "Pony Package" grille...........Don't like it, very happy with the 05 V6 grille, plain, simple.

I wanna see one in person before I really decide.............

 

Thanks for info brad...

Would you know if there going to offer some type pony package in canada?
Did you get to see a vista blue mustang?

 

They didn't mention anything about Canada, and yes, I have seen a Vista Blue 2006 Mustang GT Coupe with 18" Fanblades, but it was under unnatural lights and it was hard to grasp. It's a little darker than Sonic, but with no purple.

 

I'm curious about the suspension tuning. What'd/how'd they tune? If the overall tire diameter is the same...why tune it? Smaller sidewalls so adjust for the stiffer ride?

 

I am just curious why there have not been any photos released of any of the '06 cars/features yet. I mean everybody knows what the options and colors for '06 will be but why if Ford keeping them under wraps? I know there have been a few color samples but why not any full car shots with the new colors, rims, and pony package. Any ideas?

 

Maybe so they don't hurt sales of 05 units.......just kidding!

 

Weren't the Bullitts standard on the 2005 GT and the Machined aluminum the upgrade??

Just wondering

Ryan