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.

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]

While cruising along in Southern California one morning this week, we spied what could pass for a new hero car in the next installment of the "Mad Max" movie franchise. Just check out those rows of steel studs along the hood, roof and trunk. Perhaps bouyed by the historic executive branch runs of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, the newest chapter of this apocalyptic anecdote could see the Mad Max reins being handed over to a woman. Spotted proudly piloting this studded silver V6 'Stang, we've dubbed her "Mad Maxine." Just like the car, the driver transformation hadn't been completed yet, but she definitely looked the part with her steely gaze and guard dog companion. Whatever it is, we got a kick out of this personalized pony. One word of advice though -- if you see this in your rearview mirror, kindly move aside. Come to think of it, it doesn't look too pedestrian-friendly either...

It is one of the most loved and hated cars on Autoblog.com – the Ford Mustang, particularly the latest generation produced from 2005-2009 known as the S197. Its proponents rave about its bang for the buck and handsome retro looks, while retractors nag about the ancient solid rear axle and cheap interior. Whatever your opinion, no one can deny that the latest generation of Mustangs has been incredibly popular, both with consumers as well as the aftermarket. Perhaps too popular, according to many of you. It seems that a new version of the Mustang surfaces weekly and sometimes even daily. Whether from big time manufacturers like ROUSH, Saleen and Shelby, or simply one-off "special edition" Mustangs built by random companies looking to make a quick buck, there has never been a shortage of Mustangs from which to choose.

With the new 2010 Mustang's official debut at the LA Auto Show just a few weeks away, it looks like the sun is setting on the current generation of Ford's pony car and its never-ending stream of variations. To commemorate its passing, and because it's been way too long since we had a Mustang post (at least a day!), we've decided to come up with a list of every single variant of the 2005-2009 Mustang that we could find... all of them. Follow the jump to see just how many Mustang variants were produced over the last four years.

Click above for gallery of 2010 Ford Mustang teaser photos

We now have just four weeks until the 2010 Ford Mustang is completely unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and to make everyone that much more impatient, Ford has continued its agonizing tease with this newest photo that shows a portion of the hood. The image confirms the cowl design shown by the spied 2010 Mustang hood we reported on earlier in the year. There's still no official word on whether the new hood design is functional or just for looks, but we did notice that Ford tagged the image file as "powerdome". Perhaps just a name, but we're hoping it's a sign that Ford has given its pony car a boost in power that won't leave Mustang owners too jealous of the Camaro's 400 horsepower.

[Source: The2010Mustang.com]