Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of new 2010 Mustang GT spy shots!

We haven't seen new spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang for a while, so leave it to an Autoblog reader to have his camera at the ready when one flies by on the highway. Brandon R. took these pictures on an undisclosed road somewhere in the U.S. (that should narrow it down for you) and tells us that the driver wasn't very interested in smiling for the camera. After he realized that the car was being photographed, the Mustang jockey slammed on the brakes and promptly pulled over, but not before Brandon had taken his pics and recorded video of the Mustang showing off its passing power.

It's all speculation as to what's powering this prototype, but it appears to be a GT model if wheel size and two grille-mounted fog lamps are any indication. Out back are dual exhaust pipes and what must be a rear spoiler all covered up, as well. The hood features a big bulge, but don't get too excited as we surmise it's not to make room for some monster engine but rather keep the contour of the new hood a secret. Studying the front end, we also get a clearer view of the Mustang's new headlights as well as the lower air intake. All in all, Brandon did an excellent job in his impromptu debut as a spy photographer/videographer and we hope he spends more time with the cruise control on and his camera riding shotgun. Thanks for the photos and video, Brandon!

Don't forget to check out Brandon's video after the jump.

click above for more spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Spy photographers may have lost a money-maker when Bob Lutz decreed that all Camaro prototypes must be stripped of their camouflage, but don't worry about these optical argonauts just yet because Ford is still trying to keep a lid on its refreshed 2010 Ford Mustang. Apparently, however, the automaker isn't doing that well a job, as Brenda Priddy & Co. has snapped new shots of a heavily camouflaged blue Mustang GT prototype on city streets. As we reported earlier, the 2010 Mustang GT will get front and rear fascias to help it compete with the upcoming Camaro and Dodge Challenger. We have a close up of the Mustang's new nose now in which the new headlights and some of the grille and lower air intakes are visible. Despite Ford's best attempt to keep the new Mustang a secret, we have little doubt that spy photographers will catch it sans camo sometime soon.

[Photos: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co.]

click above for more spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Spy shots of the production 2009 Chevy Camaro and 2010 Ford Mustang GT in the same day? It's like these two pony cars have started competing for mindshare before a single one's been built. All the better for us, however, as in addition to the Camaro testers that were just caught on camera, we also get to glimpse the new Mustang GT that will arrive a year after the new bow tie brawler. Ford is playing it smart and will steal some of the Camaro's (and Dodge Challenger's) limelight with this mid-cycle enhancement when it appears in late 2009 as a 2010 model. From these spy shots, however, we can see that the changes are more than a nip/tuck. The 2010 Mustang will sport all-new front and rear fascias, so expect new headlights, a new grille, new taillights, etc. In fact, from what we can see of the high-tech looking headlights on this tester, it appears that the front-end will be carrying design cues from the Guigiaro Mustang Concept, which is a good thing. Check out more angles of the car in our gallery below and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Prior to the introduction of the new-for-2004 Mustang, Ford sold about 70-percent of its pony cars with V6s, while the remaining 30-percent came with V8s. That figure shifted when the retro coupe went on sale in late '03 and Ford was forced to bump up the output of its V8-equipped models to keep up with demand.

Over the last few years, 52-percent of 'Stangs came with the 4.6-liter V8, but rising fuel prices and the fact that enthusiasts bought early has brought that number back down to 45-percent, so Ford will be reducing the number of 2008 Mustangs it builds with a V8.

We're sure the excessive amount of special edition models helped fuel the initial fire for the V8, and we expect the eight cylinder engine to comprise over 50-percent of sales once again when a refreshened Mustang hits the market before the end of the decade. That said, we recall that Ford's newish 3.5L V6 is suited to rear-wheel-drive, and expect that engine or a version of it, coupled with a six-speed automatic, to land in the Mustang's engine bay eventually. After all, Ford promised that the 3.5L V6 would power 1 in 5 of its models by 2010.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]