2010 Ford Mustang: What's New

Vehicle Overview
When it was last redesigned, for the 2005 model year, Ford’s Mustang muscle car took on a retro look with styling cues that were reminiscent of Mustangs of the ’60s. For 2010, Ford has updated many elements of its pony car, which is available in coupe and convertible forms.

New elements include a restyled exterior and interior, a more powerful optional V-8, and new convenience and safety features. The Mustang hits dealerships in spring 2009, when it will square off against the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.

It is also sold as a higher-performance Shelby GT500 variant.

Exterior
Styling changes for 2010 give the Mustang a more modern, less retro appearance. The new car features a forward-swept grille like its predecessor, but it has a compressed look and a new power-dome hood. The grille also carries a new Mustang badge, and the front fenders feature smoother styling.

The profile of the new car closely resembles the previous one, but as you move around to the back of the new Mustang there are a number of changes. The taillights have been restyled — they’re much less rectangular than before — and this really changes the appearance of the back of the car. The taillights use LEDs, which illuminate progressively when the turn signal is activated.

A variety of wheel designs are available for the Mustang. The base V-6 has standard 17-inch aluminum wheels and can be equipped with optional 18-inch aluminum rims. The V-8-powered GT uses 18-inch aluminum rims but can have 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Interior
Ford didn’t abandon the general cabin layout of the previous model with the 2010’s new interior, as the similarities are clearly there when you look at both interiors side by side. However, the new Mustang does have its own look, and it makes wider use of premium materials, including a new soft-touch dashboard surface.

Ford also restyled the Mustang’s gauges and gave it a new center control panel that houses the audio and air-conditioning buttons. The Mustang is also available with Ford’s new navigation system that features Sirius Travel Link technology. The navigation system uses a large 8-inch touch-screen, and Travel Link provides occupants with information — like local gas prices — that’s not available on many navigation systems.

Standard features include manual air conditioning, a CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack and cruise control.

Under the Hood
The 2010 Mustang’s powertrain is similar to its predecessor’s. The base engine is a 4.0-liter V-6 that makes 210 horsepower and 240 pounds-feet of torque. The optional 4.6-liter V-8 receives a 15-hp boost for 2010 thanks to a cold-air induction system; it’s now rated at 315 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard for both engines, and both are also available with a five-speed automatic.

The Mustang is one of the few cars in the U.S. still using a solid rear axle — an outdated design that has a tendency to transfer impacts from one wheel to the other. Rather than installing a modern independent rear suspension along with the rest of the updates to the 2010 Mustang, Ford retained this design.

Safety
Standard safety features include all-disc antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats and an electronic stability system, which is new for 2010. 

Shelby GT500
Following closely after the debut of the redesigned 2010 Mustang is a new version of the extreme-performance Shelby GT500. The 2010 Shelby GT500 gains the same styling revisions and interior improvements as the regular Mustang, then takes them up a notch with a variety of unique design cues. The Shelby GT500 hits dealerships in spring 2009.

The Shelby GT500 continues to wear aggressive exterior styling. The large front grille and lower bumper opening incorporate black mesh inserts, and the grille has a Cobra logo in it. The hood is made of aluminum and features an air extractor to vent the engine bay. Coupes have 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, while convertibles get 18-inch rims.

Power comes from a 5.4-liter V-8 engine that’s fitted with a supercharger. The combination makes 540 hp at 6,200 rpm and 510 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. Premium gas is required. The engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

There’s room for four in the Shelby GT500 on front and rear bucket seats finished in leather and Alcantara. The dash gets real aluminum trim, and there’s a retro ball shifter. Standard features include Ford’s Sync entertainment and communication system and customizable ambient lighting.