LA 2008: the 2010 Mustang colonizes the interwebs
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang
There isn't much more to say about the 2010 Ford Mustang, so we'll keep this brief. The new coupe and convertible, as standard versions, will get some of the upscale Bullitt treatment from the current Mustang, so life should be even better for even more. We'll let the press release after the jump, our definitive overview, video synopsis and the gallery of high-res shots below do the rest of the talking for us.
Gallery: LA 2008: 2010 Ford Mustang LIVE
Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang
Live photos copyright ©2008 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
2010 FORD MUSTANG DELIVERS MORE REFINED RIDE
* All 2010 Mustangs benefit from performance enhancements born from the 2008 Mustang Bullitt and Ford Racing Mustangs
* Wide range of performance options available so customers can personalize their 2010 Mustangs
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2008 – Thanks to Ford's extensive racing and special program initiatives, customers can look forward to a nimbler, more-responsive Ford Mustang.
Extensive improvements to the next-generation Mustang, readily apparent on the exterior design and interior content and material upgrades, will be felt in the ride and handling of the 2010 model. Taking a cue from the successful Mustang Bullitt and Ford Racing vehicles, many of those enhancements are carried through the full Mustang lineup.
Standard on all models is a three-link rear suspension with a panhard bar.
AdvanceTrac®, new for 2010, traction control and anti-lock brakes also are standard. 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 AdvanceTrac senses wheel slippage, it reduces engine torque and applies the brakes as needed.
AdvanceTrac can be run on or off with the V-6. In the GT, AdvanceTrac, can be run in on, off or Sport mode, which allows drivers to push it more while still retaining control.
"We adjusted the springs, stabilizer bars and shocks to better balance the ride, steering and handling for all models, which results in a more engaging driving experience," said Vehicle Engineering Manager Tom Barnes. "The 2010 Mustangs feel more controlled for steering and handling, yet retain a good ride balance."
Tires are increased by an inch across the Mustang line, with 17-inch tires standard on the V-6 and 18-inch tires standard on the V-8. A 19-inch Pirelli Summer tire is late available as an option for those seeking higher performance.
The proven chassis from the Bullitt series serves as the base for the GT. A tower-to-tower brace pioneered on the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis to improve cornering for those selecting the 19-inch tire.
"You're getting the best-handling, best-balanced Mustang ever as the base GT," said Chief Nameplate Engineer Paul Randle.
Design and engineering teams spent a lot of time honing the aerodynamics of the 2010 Mustang, ensuring that both the aerodynamic drag and lift balance were improved for better overall efficiency.
"We've reduced the drag coefficient, which measures the ability of the Mustang to slip through the air, by 4 percent in the V-6 models and 7 percent in the GT models," said Product Design Engineer Steve Parks. "In addition, we reduced the front aerodynamic lift for the 2010 Mustang by 37 percent for V-6 models and 23 percent for GT models, which significantly improves steering feedback and driver confidence at higher speeds."
As always, extensive option packages are available for the 2010 Mustang.
Options include:
GT Track Package I (manual only)
Performance front brake pads
3.73 axle ratio
Recalibrated AdvanceTrac®
GT Track Package II (manual only, late availability)
Performance front/rear brake pads
GT500 Sta-Bars and rear lower control arms
Retuned struts and shocks
19-inch Pirelli Summer tires
3.73 axle ratio with carbon plates in the differential
Recalibrated AdvanceTrac®, traction control and anti-lock brakes
"With the new tires, the new shock tuning, some new spring setups and new stabilizer bars, 2010 Mustang customers will get an even better driving experience," Barnes said.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
catgirlshyla 5:05PM (11/19/2008)
Rather have the Mustang III Concept than this rehash.
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Randy 8:43PM (11/19/2008)
Ya know what? I just got out of the Asylum and recovered from not ever getting the Mach III concept in my driveway, you HAD TO SAY ITS NAME... Now I have to go back on medication to forget that beautiful machine... sniffle sniffle... PROZAC .. SOMEONE PROZAC .....
Torrent 5:06PM (11/19/2008)
Why does it look lifted in pic #5?
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Ben Poese 5:16PM (11/19/2008)
So they can sell suspension packages that lower it back down.
PhattyDre16 10:21PM (11/19/2008)
Because they use black plastic on the ground effects which makes it look higher than it really is. I drive a 2005 Mustang GT and I truely believe the new one looks like garbage.
Joe 5:07PM (11/19/2008)
That track pack II looks very nice. I wonder if that will have a LSD or an open diff. Odds are, open diff, and if that's the case, I'd rather piece the components together one by one and add a Torsen with 4.10s.
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mcfandango 5:15PM (11/19/2008)
3.73 axle ratio with carbon plates in the differential
Those "plates" would lead me to believe clutch type LSD.
Joe 9:19AM (11/20/2008)
Not necessarily. My dad's old Silverado had carbon plates in the diff, but it was open.
TheRedMonkey 5:19PM (11/19/2008)
This updated version looks great as a convertible. There was something about the last one that when the top was down, it just did not sit right with me. The lines were off.
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pirate 6:26PM (11/19/2008)
+1
Murray 5:19PM (11/19/2008)
Rumor is the mysterious 54U - V8 Upfitters Pkg is the place holder for the 5.0L V8 option later in the 2010 model year. :)
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drbyers 6:41PM (11/19/2008)
Ford execs are on Capital Hill begging for a billion-dollar bailout because no one wants to buy gas-guzzling dinosaurs. Then they drop another retro Mustang rehash on us.
Good going Ford. Stoopidity is job 1...
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Torrent 7:08PM (11/19/2008)
It should have the same exact fuel economy as the last gen. And while the fuel economy wasn't stellar, it wasn't bad either.
Joe 9:21AM (11/20/2008)
I know people with V8 models (manual trans) that get 30 MPG highway, and 24-26 MPG around town, which is more than I can say for my 3.0L automatic Taurus. I get 28 highway and 21 city.
Not bad.
Mobius_1 5:45PM (11/19/2008)
Can't wait for the 2011 Mustangs with those new engines (especially EcoBoost)...
...and the consequent endless barrage of teasers from Ford, posts on Autoblog and special editions.
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chance 6:16PM (11/19/2008)
This is ugly. :-(
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Tagg 6:29PM (11/19/2008)
I think Ford did a good job on the refresh. No amount of tweaking will ever please those who simply don't care for Ford or the Mustang model. But for those who are Ford fans or just are not anti-Ford or anti-Mustang I think it will sell well because it always has.
Plus, if you watched the premier last night the winning short movie in Ford's contest showed this car has the ability to garner affection across continents. If you didn't the winner was from England and it was about a old man and his son repetedly test driving an old Mustang. The pair go back to the dealer the final time and the salesperson said it was sold and the old man about cries. He then finds out his son bought it for him.
I doubt we will ever see such a story about a Celica.
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The Luigiian 6:34PM (11/19/2008)
I like the new design. Early shots made me nervous. The Giugiaro Concept made me nervous. The final product is pretty much untouched from the older model, except that by 2010 it'll have better engines. I would have liked a fastback or even a hatchback like they had in Mustang IIs and the fox bodies, but what came out for this design isn't that bad.
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JDMlover 10:51PM (11/19/2008)
The coupe model looks the best.
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xiwhang 11:29PM (11/19/2008)
If they sold as many Mustangs as there are stories about them on Autoblog, Detroit would be swimming in money.
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