2010 Ford Mustang Review
The 2010 Ford Mustang is expected to introduced
in spring 2009, just as Ford did when it introduced the 19641/2 Mustang in April of that year, which then dovetailed into the '65. The Mustang has been a hit since its re-launch in 2005, and it will now get its first refresher. The basics will remain the same, but the work-over will be thorough. Coupe and convertible body styles will still be offered, with V-6 and a likely variety of V-8 power-trains. The Mustang’s long hood and short rear deck capitalize on more than 40 years of pony-car heritage. The current Mustang features classic design cues that have defined Mustangs since the 1960s: C-scoops in the sides, three-element tail lamps and a galloping horse badge in the center of the grille. Still, the Mustang is a thoroughly modern car. The Mustang is fast and agile, more so than any past Mustangs. It delivers the bold styling, rear-drive performance and affordability that have been Mustang hallmarks for decades, but it's smoother and quieter and better built than older models.
Interior
The new Mustang has a thoroughly updated exterior and an improved cabin. The interior breaks away from the current cabin, which drew inspiration from the classic 1967-1968 Mustangs. The new IP will be more driver-centric and leave more room in the center stack for a larger navigation screen and audio gear. The interior looks like a throwback from the '60s, and for the 2010 seat fabrics and colors also will be shuffled. A navigation system is available and it works well. The Mustang's trunk is as large as those in some more overtly practical sedans, even without folding the backseat. The standard sound system that comes in the Mustang is good. The 500-watt upgrade is reasonably priced as part of the premium package, and adds a six-CD changer. The 1000-watt upgrade will impress most audiophiles, but the extra subwoofers in the trunk steal a good chunk of cargo space. Front side airbags come standard on all Mustangs, and high-intensity discharge headlights and interior ambient lighting are newly available.
Exterior
The Mustang is available as a coupe or convertible. There will be a variety of trims and options. Ford will factory-offer, as an option, a large glass roof panel that'll stretch from the windshield header to the leading edge of the rear window. It won't be a single, sweeping piece of glass as shown on the Italian-built concept for reasons of cost and structural rigidity, but the effect is much the same. The heavily tinted, fixed glass panel replaces most of the current metal roof stamping, creating an airy feeling from inside. The biggest news from a design standpoint will be the addition of a muscular-looking shoulder hump just aft of the door openings. The doors remain the same, as do the roof and the fixed, triangle-shaped windows in the sail panels. The new kink is said to resemble that worn by the Dodge Charger, but a bit more flowing line. Front and rear fascias also get a tuneup. Out back, the taillights are massaged a bit, and the rear bumper gets a 45 degree bevel job, adding more surface detail to the current rear's squarish lines. Expect new colors and wheel designs, too.
Handling
The wheelbase is relatively long, six inches longer than the previous generation (pre-2005), and that makes a difference in terms of ride quality. The ride is fairly smooth, even with the available 18-inch wheels. The rear suspension uses coil springs and a lightweight three-link design with a Panhard bar to keep all motion under constant control. It's about as good as a solid-axle suspension gets, and it does a good job of controlling skipping and bouncing at the back of the car. By their nature, convertibles don't offer the chassis rigidity of hardtops. Cars that cost five times as much as the Mustang tend to get shakier when the fixed roof is removed to design a convertible version. In the Mustang convertible, you will notice some shimmy in the windshield frame that you'll never see in the coupe, but overall rigidity is impressive.
Powertrain
Don't expect any changes in today's, base 4.0-liter V-6 offering, as its prime purpose is motivating low-end and rental-fleet Mustangs. But the Mustang GT model's V-8-currently a 4.6 liter, SOHC, three-valver will likely be replaced by a new 5.0-liter engine that's essentially an evolution of the old architecture. Final powertrain
has yet to be decided for the 2010 Mustang, but Ford has been
testing supercharged versions of the new 5.0-liter V-8 to see
whether it makes the horsepower needed. There is a rumor that Ford is seriously contemplating fitting the new twin turbo EcoBoost V-6 to the 2010 Mustang. As they try to figure out how to meet 35mpg CAFE by 2020, Ford engineers are wondering whether the V-8 has a long term future. The EcoBoost engine, which is currently scheduled to debut in a performance version of the Fusion, could be the more fuel efficient alternative for Mustang in the long term. Depending on spec, the EcoBoost is capable of up to at least 415hp, and has the torque to match a regular V-8.
The Mustang remains one of the most widely recognized, respected, and desired nameplates in the automobile business. The Ford Mustang looks and feels like an all-American car, and that's a good thing. It's quick and fun to drive and offers combination of style, performance, and handling that's hard to beat for the money. The V6 Deluxe is a stylish, sporty cruiser. The GT and Shelby GT are serious performance cars. And the Shelby GT500 raises it to near Corvette performance levels. Prices for the 2010 will start in the low-$20,000 range for a basic V-6 version and rise well over $30,000 for a loaded-up GT.