The biggest change to the iconic muscle car is its new interior, which sports a more athletic look and hunkered down stance. The front end on all models is lower and appears wider with strong wheel arches pushing up and out of the muscular fenders. Dynamic character lines emerging from above the grille sweep rearward into a more powerful, sculptured hood.
The aggressive look is enhanced by larger grille openings flanked by slimmer headlamps, which now incorporate integrated turn indicators. Designers have also integrated some modern touches include LED tail lamps and HID head lamps.
The team further enhanced the agile design by stripping away unnecessary clutter. That included minimizing overhangs, eliminating the rear key-hole cylinder, chamfering the rear corner and simplifying the pedestal spoilers to a more compact design. The antenna, previously on the front fender, is now much shorter and relocated to the rear of the 2010 Mustang. The result is a clean, sporty design that looks smart and efficient.
As for the powertrain lineup, the 2010 Mustang will be available with a 4.0L V6 engine, which is rated at 210hp and 240lb-ft of torque, and a 4.6L V8 engine, which is rated at 315hp and 325lb-ft of torque. Each is mated to five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.
Horsepower gains on the V8 are achieved by a new cold-air induction system pioneered through Ford Racing Technology. The intake is tucked behind the driver-side headlamp, mounted in an air box specific to the Mustang. The redline for the V8 is also increased 250rpm to 6,500.
Both the V6 and V8 engines also have larger exhaust tips, growing to 3 and 3.5in, respectively, up 0.5in from the previous model. The V8 exhaust features polished tips.
Other parts of the mechanical package include a three-link rear suspension with a panhard bar as standard on all models. New for 2010, also, is Ford’s AdvanceTrac traction control and anti-lock brakes. AdvanceTrac uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When it senses wheel slippage, it reduces engine torque and applies the brakes as needed.
Ford engineers also adjusted the springs, stabilizer bars and shocks to better balance the ride, steering and handling for all models.
Tires are increased by an inch across the Mustang line, with 17in tires standard on the V6 and 18in tires standard on the V8. A 19in Pirelli Summer tire is late available as an option for those seeking higher performance.
Inside, the manual model features a genuine polished-aluminum transmission knob and a leather-wrapped shifter, which support a short-throw performance original designed for the Bullitt model.
The instrument panel and console now flow as one shape, and the seats and arm rests have softer materials with high-quality stitching. The new center stack design adds the latest version of Ford SYNC, with new features 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. Drivers also can customize their ambient and instrument lighting through the My Color system, which features 125 color options.
The 2010 Mustang will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, and will go on sale towards the end of the year.
Reader Comments
Tue Nov 18 2008 6:37 AM
Bryan says
What a let down it looks way too similar to the current model out.
Tue Nov 18 2008 8:04 AM
Gus says
Well, I have the current model, and so I'll say this:
The new headlights on the GT with the turn signal inboard look good. The V6 with the turn signals on the outside don't.
The tail doesn't appeal to me, I've never been a fan of the Acura TL / Porsche Boxster sloping rear ends.
The sloping nose looks good, but I still like the look of the nose from the GT500 better.
The radio stack now has waaay too many buttons. I prefer the three simple dials of the current one, especially on a convertible where an automatic climate control system is constantly confused.
That dark tan seat color is a beautiful choice.
I like the radio controls on the steering wheel, wish mine had that.
I'm not sure Sync will work with the cabrio, how will it hear you with the top down? My handsfree feature in my nav system is disabled because it's a convertible.
19 inch wheels with summer tires is good, wish I had that option. As such, I guess I can always install them aftermarket.
Everything else looks pretty much the same, including the engines. Mine has 300 horse, but there is a cold air induction kit available from Ford that bumps it to 315, but I'm not sure it's worth it for only 15 more ponies...
I'm sure it will sell well, as it already does. Nice job of freshening up....
Tue Nov 18 2008 8:07 AM
Gus says
And why, oh why does Ford still not choose to put in a rollover pop-up rollbar in the convertible?
If a convertible flips with nothing but a windshield frame, it's not pretty...
Tue Nov 18 2008 8:40 AM
mburleigh8 says
Looks a little better.
Tue Nov 18 2008 10:51 AM
john m says
Well the car looks better than I thought it would. There's some nice improvements to the interior. I had a feeling the engine line up would be the same but STILL NO 6 speeds. And I've seen photos on autoblog of the rear suspension......it still looks like a solid axle....uh....were'nt they supposed to have an independent rear suspension on this new model?
Tue Nov 18 2008 11:57 AM
james says
first i'm proud to say that i love this refresh - it has increased my opinion of ford's design team. it is a logical and aesthetically beautiful progression of the current design. for anybody who has not seen the video on the mustang's website - it's a must see for mustang fans. it'll get you pretty pumped.
second, i have one question: why is the bumper different on some of these? some of them have air intakes that have one hole and some of them have 3. does the gt have 1 and the regular one have 3? to be honest, i like the regular one's look better in that case
Tue Nov 18 2008 12:07 PM
NoNameDenton says
Not bad, but need better engines and transmissions.
Tue Nov 18 2008 2:17 PM
Layne says
Uggh. Still no IRS? Oh well at least it now has that kick up at the rear quarter panels. Looks way better than the straight body line on the current ones. Front looks surprisingly dynamic and upscale too. Nice job on the redesign Ford!
But seriously, please at least release IRS as an extra-cost option or something. Live axle is just unacceptable in my book, and many other enthusiasts for that matter.
Tue Nov 18 2008 2:23 PM
NoNameDenton says
Ford does not have the money to replace the live rear axle so don't complain, they do however have better engines they can use and trasmissions.
Tue Nov 18 2008 7:49 PM
InkMaster says
I rather like the updated front - looks much more mature then the old gen but the back... looks a little off with the bottom sticking out. But it's nice to see that they updated the interior too, while its not perfect anything is better then the plastic thing that was called the "interior" in the old gen...
Tue Nov 18 2008 7:54 PM
Gus says
Well, the live axle I have works quite well. As well as many IRS systems at half the cost, so maybe I just don't know what I'm talking about.
Many people complain about it without driving it, so what to do?
In any event, the car sells out with it, so why change it?
And a six speed is really not needed with the V8, I'm not sure about the V6, I haven't driven it. Again, it would add cost to the car, and it sells with the 5 speed, so why change it?
Did I mention it sells? I think that's the point a lot of the people who think it needs to meet European or Japanese standards forgets. Many companies with far more sophisticated cars wish they had the sales record of this car...
Tue Nov 18 2008 10:50 PM
azlan says
i think this new model is alot better even just the little details always make it, the current shape is great so they shouldnt mess with that too much, the interior is a big improvement except for the center dash:its plastic and crap compared to the rest of the interior. well thats my say, hopefully when they make the gt500 that they not only make it faster but improve the brakes and suspension which they must have forgot about in the current model because it handles like a south african sea snake.
Thu Nov 20 2008 2:34 PM
Gus says
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure Azlan. Unless you've driven a GT with the 18 inch wheels, you don't know how it handles.
The car is very predictable, corners well for it's considerable size, and with summer tires can really grip the road.
Buy the Ford handling package for another few thousand dollars and it will become a cheap, fast track car.
Of course it will never be an S2000 or a Boxster, but a Boxster can't do this:
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/MustangRack1.jpg
I didn't just buy it to outcorner everything, it has to do a lot for me as a daily driver, notice the car seat in the back? :)
Sat Nov 22 2008 7:26 PM
crazychicken says
Skip this and buy the new Camaro. Better performance and better styling, as always.
Sun Nov 23 2008 10:42 AM
Gus says
Until GM sorts out it's problems, buying a Camaro is as risky as buying an Alfa in the 80's...
But besides that, this Mustang is a 6 year old car with a fresh body design. The Camaro is all new, and I wouldn't touch it for at least 2 years lest I'm at the dealership every three weeks for a new "technical service bulletin" - if there is even a dealership to go to...
Mon Nov 24 2008 5:34 PM
oldskool says
Why is the video at the bottom so poor? My brother restored 'stangs and I have the love in my blood.
And yes. as stated above why not have a roll bar like the '68 shelby?
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