The all-new Mustang is ready to trot
Forget Chapter 11 proceedings, UAW calls and Senate demands for $50billion for the big three. Even Barack Obama wouldn’t say no to the big dole out if he gets a glimpse of this — the all-new Ford Mustang. Alright, it doesn’t make sense in these days of doom and gloom, but call it Ford’s big attempt to go down with a bang. Or go up. We featured it last month along with a collection of teasers, but rest assured, the 2010 Mustang as it’s called isn’t a dampener.
For the first time in 25 years, the Mustang has a new platform. The archaic rear-wheel drive Fox platform has made way for a new one. The styling is very second generation Mustang from the late ‘60s with its characteristic long nose and deep set headlamps. The indicators are now part of the headlamp encasing while the bonnet has a nice bulge in the GT version. The nose is slightly pointed and overall the car appears softer than the outgoing 2009 model, though Ford are quick to add it’s seven per cent more aerodynamic in the GT spec.
The transition from the fenders to the wheel arches is smoother, reducing some of the bulges in the process. The hangs around the tail lamps have been increased, making it appear more pentagonal, partly due to the revised rear bumper as well. On the inside, Ford have managed to thoroughly revise the instrumentation and the dashboard.
The overall quality, according to reports, seems to show marked improvement, something even we found wanting in the ‘08 GT500 Shelby we drove (BSM May ‘08). The dials for instance have a translucent arc where the numbers are — a MyColor option — while it’s black numbers on a white dial otherwise. The steering wheel’s the same but is chamfered for better grip, while the overall touch and feel across the interior feels richer and softer.
While the suspension and drivetrain are carryovers, there are a couple of changes. The 4600cc V8 from the GT sees power go up to 316 bhp and a healthy 45 kgm of peak torque. The air intake has been reworked while the overall body is substantially stiffer as well. Ford’s engineers have helped reduce the NVH as well, but not enough to drown the V8’s snarl. A smaller 4000cc V6 is also available, though it might be replaced in 2011 by a smaller but more powerful turbocharged EcoBoost variant. Ford is also offering all its Mustangs with electronic stability control, probably on the back of improved crash ratings for the European market that now mandates it for a 5-star rating.
Whether the Mustang can get its 5-star approval from the average American Joe remains to be seen.