What term did J Mays use for the fifth-generation Mustang's styling?

J Mays used the term “retro-futurism” for the fifth-generation Mustang’s styling.

The S197 Mustang was developed in the early 2000s under Ford design leadership associated with Mays. Its appearance deliberately revived cues from the first-generation Mustang, including a long hood, short rear deck, fastback-inspired profile, and a strong interpretation of the classic grille and three-part taillights.

“Retro-futurism” describes the design’s combination of historical references and modern execution. The car was not a literal copy of the 1960s Mustang: it used contemporary proportions, engineering, safety equipment, and manufacturing technology. The styling helped distinguish the 2005 Mustang from the softer, more rounded fourth-generation model.

A common mix-up is confusing this phrase with Ford’s later design languages. “New Edge” is chiefly associated with late-1990s and early-2000s Ford styling, while “Kinetic Design” became a later Ford theme. “Flame surfacing” is a separate automotive-design description, not Mays’s term for the S197 Mustang.