2010 Ford Mustang Bows Next Week

By TCC Team,November 14th, 2008

So what can we expect from the 2010 version of the iconic Mustang? Ford began this story back in 1964, when a young Lee Iacocca pushed hard to bring the concept to reality. He unveiled his masterpiece to reporters at New York's 1964 World's Fair, pointing out that there was interest in the car from around the world.

Certain elements are likely to remain in the next 'Stang. From day one, most versions of the ponycar have used a live rear axle. This strategy saves both cost and complexity, even though it puts it at odds with independently-suspended rivals like the new Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. With any luck, the simpler tech suspension should help the Mustang ring in at a lower MSRP than the aforementioned competitors, giving buyers plenty of bang for their buck.

New generation powerplants will throw all that twist to the rear. Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 is likely to make an appearance here, as is a rumored 5.0-liter V-8 (probably with Ford's 3-valve, OHC cylinder head). It seems Ford has spent the bulk of its money in the engine room, a strategy that is sure to play well to musclecar aficionados. It is fascinating to see the ponycar horsepower wars re-ignited in the midst of an economic downturn; high tech is taking the place of high-cube, with direct-injection, overhead camshafts, turbocharging, and active cylinder management stepping in to add a new measure of efficiency to high performance. But don't worry - the engineers have become quite adept at creating tire-melting torque from medium-sized engines, so even a base model needn't be an anemic performer like, say, the 1985 2.3-liter Mustang LX. Of course, if you really want to get high-cube about it, Chevrolet will be offering the Camaro in 6.2-liter V-8 flavor (with an attendant penalty in mpg).

If you want to go and catch the countdown clock on Ford's Web site dedicated to the 2010 Mustang, point your browser to www.the2010mustang.com. There you'll also see the Mustang Stories competition (won by Kory Chesher, see above), a compelling collection of stories and anecdotes about the entirety of Ford Mustang history. We'll be reporting live from Los Angeles when all of the fiction becomes fact, at or on November 18 at 12:01 a.m.

Ford has done quite the photo tease as it leads up to the grand intro of its 2010 Ford Mustang at the L.A. Auto Show. From a gas cap, big five spoke alloys, the convertible's sexy silhouette, right down to a snarling new prow, Ford has Mustang enthusiasts at fever pitch anticipating their new ponycar. Heck, they've even given one away to rabid enthusiast 22-year-old Kory Chesher, a U.S. soldier they're flying to the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 19. So what can we expect from the 2010 version of the iconic Mustang? Ford began this story back in 1964, when a young Lee Iacocca pushed hard to bring the concept to reality. He unveiled his masterpiece to reporters at New York's 1964 World's Fair, pointing out that there was interest in the car from around the world. Certain elements are likely to remain in the next 'Stang. From day one, most versions of the ponycar have used a live rear axle. This strategy saves both cost and complexity, even though it puts it at odds with independently-suspended rivals like the new Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. With any luck, the simpler tech suspension should help the Mustang ring in at a lower MSRP than the aforementioned competitors, giving buyers plenty of bang for their buck. New generation powerplants will throw all that twist to the rear. Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 is likely to make an appearance here, as is a rumored 5.0-liter V-8 (probably with Ford's 3-valve, OHC cylinder head). It seems Ford has spent the bulk of its money in the engine room, a strategy that is sure to play well to musclecar aficionados. It is fascinating to see the ponycar horsepower wars re-ignited in the midst of an economic downturn; high tech is taking the place of high-cube, with direct-injection, overhead camshafts, turbocharging, and active cylinder management stepping in to add a new measure of efficiency to high performance. But don't worry - the engineers have become quite adept at creating tire-melting torque from medium-sized engines, so even a base model needn't be an anemic performer like, say, the 1985 2.3-liter Mustang LX. Of course, if you really want to get high-cube about it, Chevrolet will be offering the Camaro in 6.2-liter V-8 flavor (with an attendant penalty in mpg). If you want to go and catch the countdown clock on Ford's Web site dedicated to the 2010 Mustang, point your browser to www.the2010mustang.com. There you'll also see the Mustang Stories competition (won by Kory Chesher, see above), a compelling collection of stories and anecdotes about the entirety of Ford Mustang history. We'll be reporting live from Los Angeles when all of the fiction becomes fact, at or on November 18 at 12:01 a.m.