This is Ford’s facelifted Mustang, or as it’s known Stateside, the 2010 Mustang. Unveiled today at the LA Auto Show, it’s a significantly revised version of today’s car with more V8 power, sharper looks, and still that live rear axle.
Tell me about the Ford Mustang’s new looks
Even the badge is redesigned on the new ‘Stang. So while the overall silhouette of the car remains the same, a creased bonnet, a larger front grille, slimmer headlamps and LED taillights help make the car look more lithe and muscular. Ford calls it ‘One Sinewy Steed’.
Ford claims these changes are also functional, helping to improve fuel economy, downforce and overall performance.
Is the interior any better?
‘Everything about new Mustang’s interior is first-class,’ says Peter Horbury, Ford’s US director of design. ‘It’s a step improvement, like going from dial up to high-speed digital.’ Fords says the interior is significantly improved with soft-touch plastics and metal rather than plastic trim. CAR will be poking around the new ‘Stang later today so we’ll let you know how true that is.
The overall design of the dash has been tweaked, apparently to leave a clean and uncluttered area in front of the centre console for shifting that five-on-the-floor.
Inside the new Mustang you’ll also find Ford’s SYNC communication ad entertainment system and the switchable MyColor instrument dials package that lets customers choose from over 12 background colours.
>> Click ‘Next to read more about the new 2010 Ford Mustang
I shouldn’t talk about it in this day and age but what about the performance?
The engine line-up is relatively unchanged. The 4.0-litre V6 is still rated at 207bhp and 240lb ft, while the 4.6-litre V8 now kicks out a few more ponies: 311bhp, along with 325lb ft. Those gains come from a new cold-air induction system, while each engine is hooked up to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The exhaust tips are now larger, measuring 3.5 rather than 3 inches across (anoraks take note). Expect smaller capacity turbocharged engines to join the line-up in 2011.
Any other performance tweaks to the Mustang?
Ford claims to have learned lessons from the Bullitt and Racing ‘Stangs and transferred that know-how onto the 2009 car (MY 2010 for Americans). There’s a new skid control and traction control system, a Bullitt-inspired strut brace, and the suspension has been thoroughly revised. Standard wheels on the V6 are 17s, 18s on the V8 and a 19-inch Pirelli performance tyre is on the options list.
And as the Mustang has always been about personalisation, there are a few performance packages available, including a basic Track Pack with recalibrated electronic systems, a revised rear axle and new front brake pads, or an advanced option that adds bigger wheels and many GT500 bits and pieces.
Does the V8 still burble?
Ford says yes. The old Mustang sounded pretty good, but the Blue Oval has apparently spent lots of time on NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), trying to eliminate unwanted sounds while still letting a burble at idle and a roar at speed enter the cabin. Even storage compartments and the doors have been tweaked to help out, while the aerial has been moved from the front to the rear of the car. Plus the sound of the engine is piped directly into the cabin by a Induction Sound Tube that Ford is calling an industry first.
Unfortunately, there are still no plans to officially sell the Mustang in the UK through official channels.