Top Gear has decades of retro material on rotation, occasionally re-releasing a classic automotive review from decades past for the nostalgia factor. This time, Richard Hammond is shown taking a 2005 Ford Mustang for a spin, and he offers up an honest – if not slightly critical – review of the fifth-gen pony car.
The review, which originally aired on December 12th, 2004, puts Hammond behind the wheel of a fifth-gen Mustang. Being in the UK, Hammond doesn’t have access to the Mustang’s natural habitat, the “Nevada highway,” so they go for a trot on the next best thing: the A15, which is the straightest continuous road in the country. Hammond cheekily remarks that he’s a bit concerned about how the American car will handle a dreaded corner, then hits the road.
Hammond says that the 2005 Ford Mustang represents a shift in the muscle car’s trajectory, turning “the pony back into a stallion.” Even so, it’s not overly impressive. Its naturally aspirated 4.6L V8 engine is rated to produce 300 horsepower, which isn’t a poor number by any means, but it’s slightly disappointing compared to, say, German eight-cylinders. It “doesn’t feel rapid,” says Hammond, criticizing its basic suspension and its live rear axle.
Hammond makes a quick stop at a diner, letting the 2005 Ford Mustang rest in the parking lot – and that’s where it really starts to shine, at least among a class of Euro-boxes. “It might be a bit of a simpleton, but it’s really started to regain some of the spirit of the old Mustang,” Hammond remarks.
In all, Hammond thinks the 2005 Ford Mustang isn’t much of a looker, but it’s got spirit, charm, and “drama.” Moreover, it’s relatively affordable (or, at least, was) compared to other vehicles in its class. It’s loud, it’s aggressive, and it’s distinctly American.
Hammond apparently can’t get enough of The Blue Oval. A few years ago, he put a Ford Ranger Raptor to the test, dubbing it his midlife crisis ride and taking it on a soft-road jaunt through mud and water.
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