Malibu, California lies along the Pacific coast, and her nearby foothills are known for their beauty, Castilian architecture, and free-spirited-feelings as captured by the blue sky and colorful canyons. It was into this type of setting that I recently drove the 2010 Ford Mustang GT.
The Ford Motor Company has captured this essence by introducing this car with a time-honored brand called Mustang. The new Mustang has returned much of the traditional posturing, but added several new dimensions that make the Mustang look more powerful-even menacing.
Flared hindquarters and a steep hood add flair to the front of the Mustang’s body, and an air of confidence and arrogance to its rump. Shrouded fog lights give the appearance of a no-nonsense squint.
The steering appears quicker and more confident; and the suspension quality lessens roll through corners and over-swagger posture during acceleration along winding road curves.
Ford engineers worked hard to reduce wind noise, paying special attention to the side mirrors, and by repositioning the antenna to the rear. They also hid the windshield squinters and flattened the squinter blades. Inside door and window seals have been redone with sound deadening techniques that lesson air vibration and exterior noise. In fact, so much quietness grips the Mustang GT that engineers had to pipe some of the V-8’s rumble back into the vehicle with a sound tube that bridges the bulkhead. With the rumble on smoking Pirellis, you have the traditional sound of the Mustang Muscle Car.
The 2010 Mustang will be on sale in the United States this spring.
Base Price: $28,845
Size: Front Engine, RWD, 4-pass or 2 door coupe
Engine: 4.6L/315-hp/325-Lb-FT SOHC 24-Valve V-8
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Length-Width-Height: 188.1 X 73.9 X 55.6 inches
0-60 in 5.2 seconds
EPA: city/hwy: 16/24 mpg (est.)
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .
