Official press release:

DEARBORN, MICH., June 21 — A new high-performance Mustang concept car featuring aerodynamic design and Ferguson Formula four-wheel drive was displayed by Ford Motor Company's Design Staff today at a Detroit Grand Prix press reception at Greenfield Village.

Called the Ghia Vignale Mustang, the car was designed by Ford's Ghia Studio in Turin, Italy, using a Mustang SVO platform.

"The Ghia Vignale Mustang has been developed as a concept and is not currently planned for production," said Donald F. Kopka, Ford vice president - Design.

He noted, however, that "all Ford concept vehicles — cars or trucks — are created as design examples of form and function that could well find practical application in product lines of the future."

The three-door, four-seat Ghia Vignale Mustang has flush glass, a contoured windshield with a single wiper, low-profile aerodynamic headlamps, and a partial belly pan. The side glass has an access portion that can be lowered electrically.

Excellent visibility is provided by the car's large glass areas.

The Ferguson Formula full-time four-wheel-drive conversion was done by FF Developments Ltd., Conventry, England. Major new components incorporated in the drive line include a transfer box to split the drive between front and rear wheels and a front propshaft to carry the drive from the transfer box forward to the front axle alongside and under the engine. The front suspension and steering also were modified.

A viscous-coupling-control device in the transfer box provides automatic limited slip on a third, central differential. This provides optimum traction for all road and off-road conditions without the need to operate a manual lockout.

Dimensions of the car are as follows: overall height, 53.7 inches; overall length, 180.4 inches; overall width, 68.5 inches; and wheelbase, 100.3 inches.

Features include digital instrumentation, parking and ice sensors, 16-inch cast wheels, individually folding rear seats, and tool and first-aid storage compartments on the inside of the quarter panels. The radiator intake is below the front bumper and the hand brake has been integrated into the driveshaft tunnel console.

The Ghia Vignale Mustang is powered by a 1984 Ford SVO four-cylinder, 2.3-liter OHC engine, turbo-charged with an intercooler.

Engine & performance:

Position: front

Type: Ford Mustang SVO, 4-cylinder, turbo

Capacity: 2301 cc

Power: 177 hp @ 4400 rpm

Torque: 210 Nm @ 3000 rpm

Dimensions:

Length: 4580 mm

Width: 1740 mm

Height: 1365 mm

Wheelbase: 2545 mm