Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford
Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Mustang GT caught... parked
by John Neff on Oct 20th 2008 at 8:29AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT
Spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang are an easy thing to come by lately, as Ford has seemingly taken to driving prototypes around Detroit just for fun. We've shown you the base V6 model wearing little camo, the GT500 and even the car's interior. Now we bring you shots of the '10 Mustang GT model that were recently snapped in the parking lot of a strip mall. The shots show of all the goods, including the new front end inspired by the Giuigiaro Mustang Concept that debuted in 2006 at the LA Auto Show.
The refreshed '10 Mustang GT has a much harder job on its hands than did the 2004 model that kicked off the modern Mustang era. That car enjoyed a rear-wheel-drive muscle car segment of just one – itself – for years. The new Mustang, however, will find the Dodge Challenger and brand new Chevy Camaro waiting for it next year.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang GT - spy shots VI
[Source: Great Lakes 4x4 via Mustang Evolution, photos by Caleb Tipton]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gregg 8:51AM (10/20/2008)
It will be interesting to see how the 10, which looks like the 05 with some styling tweaks, will fare against the others--especially since initially the engines will be carryovers. The Ecoboost is needed to compete against the 3.6 Camaro, but the much weaker old Mustang 6 will have to soldier on for at least another year. The Mustang aura is still worth something, but with the economic downturn, it is anyone's guess how it will do in the sales wars.
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Andrew L 8:55AM (10/20/2008)
It looks more agressive, I like it too bad it wont have the new engine choices though
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Frat Stud 8:56AM (10/20/2008)
Wow, that really doesn't look much different than the '09. The current Mustang is a good looking car that didn't need a massive redesign, but I guess I expected a bit more sizzle now that the Challenger and Camaro are out there.
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garlinski 8:58AM (10/20/2008)
I like the tail end a lot more than the recent car... Almost looks like someone said "go park it in the lot over there and see if someone takes pics". weird...
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Benfolio 2:06PM (10/20/2008)
I'm sure they were there on purpose for the adult section in the back of the video store.
RIFRAF 4:47PM (10/20/2008)
Im not too sure if I like that back end. It looks to jutt out too far, like as if it has an oversized bumper. Plus the tail lights are too far in.
MajorGeek 9:01AM (10/20/2008)
Seen enough of it really, what I find fascinating for some reason is how hard they are working to show the camoed up car. Don't recall any car being seen so much. Can't say that I blame them.
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Nateb123 11:09AM (10/21/2008)
I think that's about the only way they can generate interest for a car that's had minimal styling tweaks and is called "new" again. This is like the spy shots of the last few generations of 911: vestigial. So little has changed, why bother?
Nellydesign 12:21PM (10/21/2008)
I am really sick of this "minimal styling tweaks" crap. This is a mid cycle refresh of an extremely popular design. Would they be smart to completely change it to something different and alienate their fan base?
Take all the comments about "minimal effort" from Ford with this car and contrast them with the fact that this mid cycle refresh has ALL NEW sheetmetal and an ALL NEW interior, and will be getting ALL NEW engines. Doesn't sound like a minimal effort to me.
Engine wise, Ford has it a lot tougher than GM and Chrysler who just had to throw already existing engines into their pony cars. The Mustang's new engines really will be all new.
feeboo 9:02AM (10/20/2008)
i wonder if it will still have the suspension of an ox cart. it's amazing how every journalist in the world ridicules ford for being so mentally challenged with regard to offering this car without a proper suspension and yet they continue to keep offering it with a live rear axle. i've never seen such ineptitude in a car company.
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Mike 9:44AM (10/20/2008)
" journalist in the world ridicules ford "
I bet you are also one of those guys who care what the rest of the world thinks about the US. The thing is that the solid rear axle seems to be fine for most Stang owners. In fact the car tears it up in road racing events so what's your point? Oh that's right just so we can impress journalists.
jcar302 9:29AM (10/20/2008)
Probably because people still buy them with the live rear axle.
Don't get me wrong, i see what you are saying, but mustang sales over the years prove that what the enthusiasts want, isn't necessarily required by the average buyer.
Me personally i think the mustang should have the 400hp 5.0 engine out of the Saleen PJ car, as it's new standard engine, and an independant suspension.
But if they keep selling without those items, i'd expect not to get it.
Stuka 10:33PM (10/20/2008)
Your are aware that a solid rear axle is the absolute best option for a pony car right? IRS has trouble getting power to the ground due to track and camber changes as the rear suspension compresses. A solid axle never changes track or camber, so the tires stay perfect flat on the road, getting the maximum amount of power to the ground.
Oh, and Ford just won the GT4 championship using... solid rear axle mustangs!
MajorGeek 9:03AM (10/20/2008)
I take part of that back. While the headlights might look minor, I don't think we are giving the hood much credit. Checking some of those angles, considering it is under camo, should make for a mean and aggressive looking front end.
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Foose1397 9:06AM (10/20/2008)
It is a little weird that this was in a random lot....
These changes look good however still one thing that the mustang has....the live axle. I don't care how good you make it look it still will not perform as well as the Camaro (better buy for your money). Unfortunately Ford only looses in the end.
Here is a hope too: maybe the 10 will have less special editions......making them...well........special
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Mike 10:17AM (10/20/2008)
I don't know, the Camaro starts and finishes several thousand dollars and several hundred (from 300-400) lbs more than the Mustang.
In a time when everyone's says they've had enough of the weight gain, everyone complains that the Mustang didn't get a heavy IRS, yet it still holds true that the Mustang has done really well in stock bodied road racing competition against much more expensive cars with IRS.
I bet if someone lied and said the Mustang had IRS when it didn't, many (not all, but many) of the naysayers wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between the cars with and without IRS (anyone drive a 99-04 Cobra vs a stock GT- can you tell the difference in handling?). It's like the Emperor's new clothes.
Foose1397 11:36AM (10/20/2008)
What cars are racing in that stock body competition?
Granted an experience muscle car driver could maybe throw this stone aged car around a track. However its 2010, if i wanted that i would get the gorgeous 69 mach 1 and have my fun.
The Camaro may be slightly heavier however the v6 puts out a lot more horsepower (300 hp is more than enough for the weight). Since Ford doesn't have plans yet of dropping the eco-boost engine into this it is going to be a tough argument.
SneakyE 10:56AM (10/21/2008)
Here's the manufacturer/model lineup for the GT4 European Cup:
Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24
BMW Z4 Coupe
Chevrolet Corvette C6
Ford Mustang FR500C
Lotus Sport Exige
Maserati Trofeo Light
Nissan 350Z
Opel GT
Porsche Cayman
Who says you can't race with a solid axel?
Curt 9:09AM (10/20/2008)
Can someone explain to me if they "don't" want these test mules to be noticed why they paint them like this. I understand its to throw off the lines etc in the event they are photographed - but it seems like the camo increases there chance of actually being photographed GREATLY. Paint it in rental car fleet metallic red and call it a day.
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duncanator 2:15PM (10/20/2008)
Yeah, you have to wonder if they just drove it without the disguise if it would even get noticed.