Autoblog

UPDATE: The cat's out of the bag, so click here for our full post on the 2010 Ford Mustang with analysis of the new pony car and lots of high-res images.



Everyone here at Autoblog has been patiently counting down the seconds until 12:01AM EST tonight when Ford's embargo lifts on the 2010 Mustang. At that time we can tell you all about the new 'Stang as well as share our official high-res images and live shots that we took when invited to see it behind closed doors last week. Well, thanks to Ford itself we don't have to wait that long to give you a full featured sneak peek. The Blue Oval has already updated its official micro-site for the 2010 Mustang with a few wallpaper images (see gallery below), a CG video and the pony car's official order form that gives up the entire goods on each model, their standard features and optional equipment. You can try out the car in different colors.

We're still going to wait until 12:01AM EST to release our mother load of Mustang content (at least for now), so come back at midnight to read all about the changes to America's favorite muscle car and view our high-res galleries. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 Mustang teasers

Can't make it out to the L.A. Auto Show to see Ford's new pony car? No worries! The Blue Oval and SPEED TV have teamed up to provide live coverage of the 2010 Mustang's unveiling next week. The cameras will be rolling next Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. EST, so either put it on your schedule or set your DVR. Of course, we'll also be there with cameras in hand, so be sure to check back here for plenty of photos and all the latest news on the Mustang and the rest of the LA Auto Show.

[Source: SpeedTV.com via MustangBlog.com]

Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Mustang teasers

A tease is only fun for a short while, and we're ready for this one to be over. Ford's unveiling of the 2010 Mustang has been unbearably slow, and the only reason we aren't going crazy right now is because we will have seen the car in person by this time next week. The latest (and final) tease to come from Ford shows most of the updated rear end. We really like what we see, especially the rear spoiler which now has a ducktail design instead of being raised from the rear decklid. The taillights maintain their classic three-pillar design, although they now have a more tailored look that flows along the line of the rear bumper. According to Ford, there will also be an option for a rear-view camera, although we don't know exactly where the camera will be placed. We'll bring you all the details and plenty of photos next week from the LA Auto Show, but until then enjoy one last look at the gallery of all ten teasers below.

[Source: Ford]

Click above for a higher resolution image of the ROUSH P-51B Mustang

ROUSH wowed us last year at SEMA with the P-51A, an aviation-themed Mustang that combined Jack Roush's two favorite things: planes and cars. Customers apparently like the car too, because the initial production run of 51 was bumped up by 100 to accommodate the additional interest. The P-51 is back for a another year, now with a 'B' designation, along with a few new features to differentiate it from the previous model.

ROUSH has upgraded the 14-inch front brakes to include six-piston calipers, and the wheels are now painted in black chrome and wrapped with Cooper RS3 high performance tires. Inside, ROUSH has added one of their vent pod gauges to show boost levels. The rest of the P-51 remains relatively the same, including the 510 horsepower supercharged V8, full ROUSH suspension, and fighter plane design scheme. Full details are in the carefully worded press release after the jump, and we'll try and get the guys over at ROUSH to send some more photos.

[Source: ROUSH]

Click above for high-res gallery of live shots of the FR500CJ Cobra Jet Mustang

Ford apparently brought the FR500CJ Cobra Jet Mustang to SEMA straight from one of its testing sessions, because there was still plenty of shredded Goodyear rubber lining the fenders behind the rear wheels. The graphics package looks fantastic in person, and we're jealous of the 50 lucky owners who have already placed their orders for the car.

Many of you have been wondering, and we've asked the question ourselves, why the Cobra Jet is "only" rated at 400 horsepower. After all, the GT500, which also features a 5.4L supercharged V8, puts out 500. We asked around at Ford and found that the Cobra Jet has been de-tuned to meet specifications needed for NHRA's AA Stock class. The official horsepower figure has yet to be finalized, but expect it to be right around 400 as quoted before.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ugliest Mustang Ever

We called it the Ugliest. Mustang. Ever. Our readers called it a pony with rabies, a monstrosity and an abomination. Many of you didn't even believe the car was real. For some reason the guys over at Rich Evans Designs were willing to once again face public humiliation and brought out what they call the "Hardcore Knight" Mustang to SEMA once again. We thought we noticed some differences, and looking back at the photos from last year, we can see they added a few extra spikes (for good measure) to the roof line and the mirrors. Everything else remains relatively the same, including the belief that they can actually sell versions of the car to the public. Rich Evan's web site claims that they will be producing 100 limited edition cars and up to 1000 of the 19-piece component kits to make your own. We wish him the best of luck.

Click above for high-res gallery of the FR500CJ Cobra Jet Mustang

The introduction of Ford's new FR500CJ Cobra Jet Mustang was no surprise, as we have already seen the photos and even video of the purpose-built drag Mustang in action, but we now have full details on the car as well as a few more photographs. Joining the other FR500 Mustangs in the Ford Racing catalog including the FR500GT, FR500C, and FR500S, the FR500CJ is a race-only model that will be limited to a production run of 50. You're already too late if you're thinking of ordering one through your local Ford dealer, as the initial allotment of cars has already been bought up at $69,900 each, but Ford insists there will be additional Cobra Jet Mustangs to come. Each car comes standard with a 5.4L supercharged V8 producing 400 horsepower, 6-speed manual transmission (optional automatic), and a drag race wheel/tire combination. Follow the jump for additional information in the press release including the history of the Cobra Jet, and check out the new photos in the gallery below.

[Source: Ford]

So, this would appear to be a big weekend for die-cast reveals of cars that are debuting at the LA Auto Show later this month. Yesterday, it was Tomica's 2010 Nissan Cube on eBay. Today we get the new 2010 Ford Mustang GT in the form of a Hot Wheels prototype, again on eBay. There in all its 1:64 scale glory is Ford's pony car with its new fascias and substantial power dome hood, but without mirrors. Hey, shipping's only $8.50 from Kuala Lumpur. If you're a hardcore collector, bid away. Us? We'll keep an eye on the store shelves at Target and pick up the final product for a buck. Thanks once again to Galvin for the tip!


[Source: eBay]

Ford's agonizingly slow reveal of the 2010 Mustang continues today with the fourth last teaser image revealed to be the lower part of the center console and full view of the gear shift. The short shifter with the metal ball grip can be seen rising from its leather boot in a chrome-trimmed rectangular recess, while buttons for the trunk release, traction control and hazard lights are embedded close by. We also see the HVAC controls are situated at the bottom of the center stack (seat warmers, yay!) below the stereo controls. There are only three more locked slots left to reveal on Ford's mini-site for the 2010 Mustang before the car itself is revealed in full at the LA Auto Show next month. Spy shots have mostly given up the goods on both the new exterior and interior (see after the jump), but we still want to see the damn thing in person and some high-res glamour shots of its best angles. Stay tuned, they're coming.


[Source: Ford]

The Giugiaro Mustang concept has been around since the 2006 LA Auto Show, and damn if it doesn't still look great. In fact, spy photos of the next-gen Mustang show plenty of Giugiaro cues, especially at the front end. It makes sense, then, that the Fabrizio Giugiaro-designed pony car concept has been out on the street being driven since its debut. Last year, Mr.Giugiaro messed up a rim while (poorly) parking his creation in Bulgaria, and we just found this YouTube video from last February of the Italian Stallion doing donuts in a parking lot. Based on our experience, most concept cars don't even run under their own power, and those that do are usually limited to low speeds. That is to say, concept cars aren't usually seen doing donuts in a parking lot. Follow the jump to view the rubber-ripping video for yourself, and if you speak the language of the yahoos behind the camera, let the rest of us know what they're saying. Thanks for the tip, Mike!


[Source: YouTube]