Options for the car could drive the price up another $5,000-$6,000 on fully outfitted cars, but that includes the GT Track package's upgraded brakes, lower differential ratio and tweaked stability control, plus a huge array of features found in the electronics package, including Ford's Sync system and a touchscreen satellite navigation setup, according to the MustangBlog. More details and information will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show unveiling on Wednesday. Until then, however, we have the teaser and spy photos to look at.
This final teaser image, plus spy shots posted on the Great Lakes 4X4 forums, show some of the car's highlights and hint at the slimmer styling that Ford is giving the Mustang.
The latest in the long line of teasers - 14 in total - reveals the rear fascia of the car, including the taillights and a duck-tail rear deck spoiler. Still no revolutionary redesigns, but rather a freshening of the existing car's lines. This teaser is expected to be the last to come before the car's reveal to the press at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.
The previous teaser photo shows the shiftknob as well as part of the center console, giving a good taste of the interior. The shot of the front right quarter panel in the spy photos, meanwhile, reveals that the new car will indeed try to look slimmer, though as the previous video and images revealed, a definite connection to the current car's styling will remain. Nevertheless, there are a few subtle details that have been changed.
Despite the smaller styling, the updated model will share the same the overall length and width as the current model. Speaking with Automotive News, Ford’s North American design director, Peter Horbury, explained that the new car’s lines have been designed to make it look as though the wheels are “further out, further forward and further rearward”. The new car will be on show at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
Horbury points out that the bulky and old-tech look of the Challenger, and even the all-new Camaro, will turn off customers in a climate where buying trends are largely motivated by fuel economy or at least the perception of fuel economy.
As for the engine lineup, Ford has reportedly sped up the introduction of its next-generation engines because of the tough new CAFE fuel-economy regulations. The 4.0L V6 engine will remain, however the V8 line-up could be replaced with a new EcoBoost V6 engine for better efficiency with V8 power levels, though a 5.0L SOHC V8 is also still a possibility. The 6.2L Boss V8 program has been suspended, however, making a new 'Boss' version unlikely, at least in traditional form. You can read up more details about the changed powertrain line-up in our previous story by clicking here.
Reader Comments
Mon Jun 2 2008 9:03 AM
chris says
oh my god. ok, first of all, credit: smaller looking mustang will fit well with today's crowd. it will look sportier if it looks like the wheels are further out. I'm surprised that they say that it will "look" like that.. why not chop off a bit on the front and back?
I really hope this means the all new mustang in 2012 ends up being a smaller platform. I really do. That car needs to go on a diet.
but.. if fuel econ is the name of the game.,.. WHY do you keep the 4L. WHY?! that engine is older than I am. god. 4L V6 SOHC. incredible. And this is why only certain types of young people buy mustangs. Hey, I would too if I could afford it, but I can't, and I certainly wont be able to if its still got the 4L. why not do it plain and simple. 3.5L, or 3.5L turbo. 5L V8 if you really want a rumble. plain and simple.
Mon Jun 2 2008 9:04 AM
Gus says
Until I see the actual car, there's no way to know if this is a good or bad thing.
I like my "brawny" car, but maybe that's because I don't have to commute with it...
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/Mustang-Mini.jpg
:)
Mon Jun 2 2008 9:05 AM
chris says
hahaha.. well it IS riding on donuts right gus? :D
Mon Jun 2 2008 10:53 AM
Raptor says
1. 4 L V6? Not funny at all.
2. Gus your Mustang rocks.
Mon Jun 2 2008 12:52 PM
Knight3058 says
I just hope that they don't ruin the Mustang. If they're going to make it lighter, fine, but there really is no reason to make it smaller, I like it the way it is. Gus, your cars rock.
Mon Jun 2 2008 6:55 PM
Gus says
Agreed, the 4L motor is done.
Also agree, 3 point something V6, same engine with a turbo, and a 5 liter V8 for us old torque nuts.
Thank you, the Mustang is a blast.
Some more sharing, while I'm at it:
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/slide2.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/IMG_2027copy.jpg
Tue Jun 3 2008 7:49 AM
chris says
it looks like sooooooooooooooo much fun!!! god i miss RWD
Wed Sep 10 2008 2:35 PM
Gus says
As for the updated pictures, they look pretty much the same, with some very, very slight changes.
By the way, saw my first GT-R in person today, and all I can say is yawn.
Here's a picture I took a few hours ago:
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/GTR.jpg
I was totally surprised how that car just faded into the background, no more of a styling statement than an Evo, for example. Maybe that's the point: Understatement. But for that money, there's many, many better looking and (not quite as) capable vehicles I would pick...
Wed Sep 10 2008 3:55 PM
Ken says
Love the pics!!
Re: the GT-R, I saw a bright silver one blast by me on the highway the other day. I thought they looked yucky in magazine pics, and was surprised when I had the opposite reaction - in person it looked amazing, more head-turning than anything I'd seen in some time. I think the paint quality was part of the reason it looked so good. And the effortless ease with which it squirted through traffic made my S2000 seem awfully weak.
But, to your point, it's unlikely that I'd spend that much money on a car, and if I did, it probably wouldn't be the GT-R. Like the Mustang, they are too heavy for my tastes, although I'm still happy to see either go by in traffic. It's sad that Ford might actually get away with tricking customers into 'perceiving' economy with simple appearance changes.
Wed Sep 10 2008 4:23 PM
NoNameDenton says
Technically they could do a revival of the Boss name with a 5 liter engine, I remeber the Boss 302.
Wed Sep 10 2008 4:31 PM
Gus says
Oh, don't get me wrong, I was breathless in the presence of automotive excellence, to be sure, I guess I was just expecting it's aesthetics to be as Ferrari beating as it's performance.
As far as the Mustang tricking customers, that is a game all makers play (scoops and bulges, anyone?). Let's just hope the car itself comes with more power and efficiency under the hood...
Tue Sep 30 2008 3:54 AM
HECTOR says
This is not a new Mustang, rather a face lift of the current one. My hope is that the next Mustang will experience a leap like the current Corvette did. Meaning I hope it goes from *not bad* to *damn that thing is world class*.
Can Ford do it? Yes. Will Ford do it? No.
As long as we Americans are happy with warmed over takes of a not so glorious past Ford will continue giving us exactly that.
Tue Sep 30 2008 4:46 PM
Kevin says
Those photos and the video have been up for weeks.
Wed Oct 1 2008 3:51 PM
NoNameDenton says
Negative Hector strikes again
Wed Oct 1 2008 4:40 PM
Gus says
Hector isn't negative, he's just EXTREMELY critical of anything less than perfection... :)
But he may be missing the point of that car, it's target audience, and it's price. The Corvette may be world class, but I have driven one, and the interior isn't much better than most American cars. It's worlds better than the previous one, and so is my new Mustang compared to the 2000 I had before. The point is, you have to choose, if you want a BMW interior, you have to pay (close) to a BMW price. I'm happy with my car, but I'm ecstatic about what I paid for it...
Wed Oct 1 2008 7:37 PM
azlan says
this is looking like what a real muscle car should be big cruiser that will excite you when taking off and you can smoke the crap out of when you go around a corner because they dont handle any good lol. i hope they do the interior really well not but loads of plastic everywhere! i hate that they shoudl spend abit more time on the interior and if it makes the car heavier and more expensive who cars! add more power, we all know everyone will still buy it!
Wed Oct 8 2008 4:49 PM
Gus says
I'm not sure what azlan was getting at, too much verve, not enough punctuation...
That said, the new interior looks good. I hate those louvre vents, they get so dirty and then you're sitting there with a Q-tip trying to get them clean. Im surprised Ford did that, the round vents they used in the current version (and in the trucks, and the GT) work SO well, are so simple, feel so high quality and look so good open or closed...
Wed Oct 8 2008 11:01 PM
NoNameDenton says
Nothing is perfect
Wed Oct 15 2008 8:50 AM
giovanni gambini says
Oooooh..... Ahhhhhh.... !
Just release the freckin full photos already !
Wed Oct 15 2008 4:49 PM
Gus says
Well, you have to admit they are better at the tease thing then Chevrolet. People were so used to seeing the Camaro before it actually arrived it was no big deal when it did.
Thu Oct 16 2008 6:32 AM
NaBUru38 says
How about this?
o- 2.4L V6, 280hp (either turbocharger or supercharger)
o- 3.2L V6, 360hp (twin-turbo)
o- 4.8L V8, 460hp (naturally aspirated)
The Mustang is adequately sized for an American sports car. My biggest concerns are its weight and rear suspension, though.
Mon Oct 20 2008 11:36 AM
james says
did they change the exterior at all?
Mon Oct 20 2008 2:16 PM
NoNameDenton says
Replace the 4 liter V6 with the 3.5 or 3.7 liter V6, go with the EcoBoost V6 as an alternative for the V8 and use the 5 liter V8 is a Boss 302 car and make the new Shelby a twin turbo V8.
Mon Oct 20 2008 9:04 PM
Gus says
Agree with Denton on the motors.
The new look is interesting (posting this after the cheetah pictures are up), especially the more forward raked nose.
Not sure about the swooped down back, though.
Wed Nov 5 2008 5:20 PM
NoNameDenton says
The 6.2 liter from the Ford Raptor would be nice but I have no idea what it weighs
Thu Nov 13 2008 4:30 PM
Gus says
Well, I'm not sure I like the back end, too swoopy, but seeing it in person and in it's entirety will tell all...
Thu Nov 13 2008 4:54 PM
james says
that looks pretty darn cool. can't wait to see the whole thing on the 22/23/24?
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