What Is An SN95 Mustang?

The SN95 Mustang is the fourth generation of the Ford Mustang, introduced in 1994, and used Ford's Fox chassis platform. The SN95 Mustang spanned between 1994-2004 and included the popular "New Edge" Mustang from 1999-2004.

What Does SN95 Mean?

SN95 stands for Specialty/Sporty North American Market Project #95.

• S = Small Specialty Market That The Mustang Competes In.
• N = North American Operations
• 95 = Sequence Number In Ford's Numbering System For Approved Programs

Big Changes For The Fox Body Platform

Building on the Fox platform, Ford reserved $700 million to redesign the 1994 Mustang. The main focus of improvements was to give the Mustang a more modern look while improving handling and NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness). While the chassis stayed the same, the SN95 got new suspension, exterior styling, interior features, engine offerings, and new technology. While the SN95 spans 1994-2004, this article will touch on the 1994-1998 Mustang. To read more about the 1999-2004 Mustang, check out our What Is A New Edge article!

SN95 Engine Options

Throughout the 1994-2004 Mustang lifetime, a few various V6 and V8 options were available including a supercharged V8! Here we lay out the various engine options for the SN95.

SN95 Exterior

The most noticeable difference for the new 1994-1998 SN95 is the sleeker, more modern body style. 1993 was the last year of the box-shaped Mustang and only a convertible and coupe option were available. The front end took on a smoother look with two-piece headlights and a running pony grille emblem. The SN95 hood took a smoother shape compared to the previous generation fox platform while maintaining the small cowl styling of the previous generations. To keep the body lines flowing, Ford added side skirts and a side scoop to the side of the Mustang which would carry through later models as well. Moving toward the rear, the SN95 featured a stylish spoiler and two different style taillights, horizontal lenses for 1994-1995 and vertical lenses for 1996-1998.

SN95 Interior

With the new body style, Ford also modernized the 1994 interior by going to a dual-cockpit dashboard setup. They ditched the sharp edges of the Fox Body interior in favor of a more contoured and rounded design similar to the Thunderbird of the early 90s. While the base option included carry-over functions from the earlier Fox Bodies, upgrade options included power windows, door locks, and mirrors. Cruise control, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, and a trunk cargo net were offered as well. Leather and cloth seating options were available in tan, black, red, white, and a few other one-off patterns. A new stereo system named Mach 460 was added to the SN95 and featured a 230-watt multi-speaker sound system with a CD player.

SN95 Suspension

While the Mustang's MacPherson suspension setup remained in place, the SN95 body got longer lower control arms, new spindles (sought after by Fox Body owners for 5-lug swaps) anti-roll bars, upgraded shocks/struts, and few smaller changes. Ford's focus on reducing NVH and improving the car's handling led to these improvements and gave the SN95 better handling over the Fox Body.

SN95 Cobras

With the popularity of the 1993 Cobra/Cobra R, Ford and SVT continued the Cobra lineup into the SN95 with the release of the 1994 Cobra and 1995 Cobra R. The Cobra boasted a higher horsepower than the GT pushing it to 240HP while the Cobra R got a huge increase to 300HP. The Cobra lineup continued through 1999, skipped 2000, and came back in 2001. While many protest that there was no 2002 Cobra, there was a limited run built in Australia. 2003 saw a return of the Cobra in the States with the code name "Terminator". What are the 03/04 Cobras called Terminators? While SVT has not given us a specific reason, we do know that they code-named it Terminator during the development process and it has stuck since.

SN95 Vs New Edge

While the SN95 stretches from 1994-2004, there was a new body style in 1999-2004 that was nick named "New Edge". While there is debate where this name came from, most agree that it is derived from the new edgier body lines. Technically it is an SN95, but most enthusiasts refer to 1994-1998 as SN95 and 1999-2004 Mustangs as a New Edge.