When I told people that I was going to have the chance to check out the 2010 Ford Mustang, a few looked slightly baffled. What, they would ask, could Ford possibly do to make the current Mustang any better?
I agreed -- that is, until I got behind the wheel of the 2010 model.
While you may not always be able to see the differences with a quick glance, you can certainly feel them.
During a brief press preview of the vehicle, we were given the opportunity to drive a 2009 Mustang GT for about a half an hour. Then we hopped behind the wheel of a 2010 model and peeled out of the parking lot.
Immediately my driving partner and I noticed the difference in ride and handling. The steering is a bit more nimble, the ride was smooth, and the 18-inch tires that are standard on the GT model were incredibly grippy. In straightaways, pure acceleration was neck snapping, and aggressive maneuvers through corners were downright fun.
My partner happened to be a contributor for Car & Driver, and he pulled very few (if any) punches during our twisty-turny road coarse. With gradient changes and blind curves, he had just the right amount of acceleration and braking to leave me laughing with glee as my stomach dropped. With anyone else, I would have been clutching at the dashboard, but my partner was a pro, and it was a joy to see him wring every possible ounce of performance out of this car.
Driving at a more sedate clip, I was timid at first as I was getting a feel for the car. Plus, I had bad memories of tail slippage from the previous model. But I quickly started to push the corners just little and to downshift on straightaways to hurtle forward. The steering is definitely a bit tighter, and the tail end stayed pretty much in line.
To put it succinctly: I loved driving this car.
And the Mustang engineers and designers put a lot of effort into making sure you do, too.
First, Ford has made AdvaceTrac electronic stability control standard across the lineup. Since Mustang is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, this really kicks in and keeps the vehicle under control when slippage may normally occur. We were driving on dry pavement during the test, so we didn’t have the chance to test inclement conditions, but we were pretty aggressive with some turns and curves, and the tail end stayed where it should.
Second, the 4.6-liter V-8 engine in the GT models gets a 15 horsepower boost, so the new horsepower rating rings in at 315. The 4.0-liter V-6 remains the same at 210 horsepower. While I never thought the previous GT was sluggish, this new model with the additional power boost is that much quicker … and that much more fun.
The transmissions stay the same for the 2010 model year. The base transmission is a five-speed manual, and the five-speed automatic is a $995 option. Regular fuel is recommended in the Mustang, and you’ll get an estimated city/highway fuel economy of 16/24 mpg in the GT model. Though premium fuel is not required, Ford execs state that you’ll fatten the torque curve by about 10 pound-feet if you opt for premium fuel.
The current generation Mustang launched in 2005 with a retro theme and modern technology. For 2010, both the design and technology get a bit of an edge. Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager Tom Barnes stated that while the 2005 model was a real benchmark, the 2010 model is simply more.
Some of the “more” comes in the form of technology. New standard tech features include the Easy Fuel capless fuel filler system and the SOS Post Crash Alert system. Some Mustang-first optional features include dual-zone automatic climate control and reverse camera system, both of which are only available on the Premium models. Plus, the 2010 Mustangs have the second generation Sync system (standard on Premium models) and navigation with Sirius Travel Link (available as an option on Premium models).
Most of the “more,” however, comes in the form of subtle yet substantial design changes. In fact, everything except the roof is new for 2010, and Ford only kept the roof because it wanted to carry over the glass roof option, which is new for 2009.
The subtlety of this new Mustang is in the details. The washer fluid nozzles have been removed from the hood. The dash materials are real aluminum. The pony emblem on the front of the GT model is black chrome. My favorite detail, however, is the sequential turn signals that hearken back to a different era. This is a feature that appeared on the 1960s Mustangs and hasn’t appeared since until now.
While virtually everything is new, it’s not unfamiliar or even drastically different. The exterior design is a bit more chiseled with an angled tail end and new wheel designs and fog lamps, but the 2010 Mustang maintains the same basic shape. According to Mustang Chief Nameplate Engineer Dave Pericak, however, that kind of seems to be the point. As he put it: This new Mustang is an evolution not a revolution.
So, you’ll see the design tweaks, upgraded interior materials, technological advances and a much improved driver experience, but you won’t see a radically different Mustang. Thank goodness.
Another big change you’ll notice for 2010 comes in the form of interior quietness. From material usage to the actual contours of the car, several things were altered so that what’s on the outside doesn’t transfer inside. The goal was to lose the noise you don’t want, like wind and tire noise, but keep the noise you do want, like the low growl of the engine during acceleration. During the brief test drive, I have to say Ford was incredibly successful in this endeavor, and even the ffwap sound emitted by the air vents when cranking up the HVAC is greatly reduced.
Barnes pointed out that the mantra at Mustang is “fast, fun and affordable.” And this definitely rings true with the new model as we’re looking at horsepower increases in the GT and handling improvements that allow you to drive a bit more aggressively without slipping out of control. Tack that on to a base price that sticks close to $20K, and they’ve hit all three.
For 2010, the model structure remains the same with V-6s and GTs both having coupe and convertible models at base and premium levels. The base price of the V-6 Coupe is $21,845, and the Mustang GT Premium Convertible tops out at $36,845. Though the 2009 model is still hot off the assembly line, we’ll see the 2010 model start to show up in showrooms this spring.
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