2010 Mustang

The new 19-inch wheel package, and the Shaker 500 audio system. It was perfect for our drive through the Los Padres forest and its tightly winding roads.

Heading out of Malibu, we enjoyed a bit more of PCH until we picked up the 33  (that's how they say it in Cali-no "I" before the interstate number) and wound our way north toward Ojai, where we'd stop for the night. The route took us through the mountains, where we experienced many elevation changes and tight, winding roads. The GT's revised suspension and 19-inch Pirelli's kept the car glued to the road, and we could maintain a nice conversation at regular room level while stirring the shifter to whatever gear required by the 3.73s to keep the car around 3,500 rpm for a blast through the twisties. It was a great road and a great ride that really taxed the new car's suspension, and it handled the road with aplomb.

On day two it was more of the same as we headed out of Ojai toward Willow Springs, though we did have a bit more open road to really stretch the Mustang's legs. We had our GoPro video camera mounted on the rear quarter of our GT during this part of our drive (be sure to check out our website for videos of our driving route), and even at triple-digit speeds our video was smooth and stable, a testament to the ride quality the engineers tuned into the GT.

After a nice lunch at Willow Springs, another technical presentation was given to us on the new Track Pack option. Ford had a small sample of Track Pack-equipped GTs for us to track with at Streets Willow. We were able to try the Track Pack option with the Advance track in Normal, Sport, and Off modes, and if you had the courage and the driving skill to put the GT at its limits, you could really tell the difference. This was yet another testament to the time the engineers put into the product. More than once I could feel the Advance Track reel me in from the edge while navigating the course. Putting the GT through its paces at the same rate with the AdvanceTrac off put the car sideways through several of the turns, but the Mustang was still very controllable. Just a light lift of the throttle and some counter steer brought the steed right back in line.

All in all, we have to say  the 2010 is going to be another  grand slam hit for Ford, just like the '05. Right now Ford needs every time at bat to be an out-of-the-park hit. Pricing for the 2010 Mustang will start at $20,995 for the V-6 coupe and heads north to $35,995 for the Convertible GT Premium. Our Grabber Blue GT Premium Coupe with Comfort Group, Shaker 500, 3.73 Axle Package, and 19-inch wheels was priced at just under $35K. Tick off the Glass Roof and Electronics Package and you'll be a sneeze away from $40K. That's getting up there, but it's nice to know you can finally have your Mustang optioned with many of the goodies your neighbor's import has had for years.

2010 Mustang

On sale Spring 2009

$20K-$45K

4.0L SOHC V-6 or 4.6L Three -Valve V-8

Coupe or Convertible/ Base and Premium offerings

Five-speed automatic or five-speed manual

3.31/3.55/3.73 gear ratio packages

(3.55/3.73 with manual only)

17-,18-, and 19-inch wheel and tire packages (seven total)

Four interior colors (Stone, Charcoal Black, Saddle, Brick Red)

Two accent colors (Cashmere, Grabber Blue)

Nine exterior colors (Red Candy Metallic, Kona Blue, Grabber blue, Sunset Gold, Sterling Gray, Brilliant Silver, Black, Performance White, and Torch Red)

Major Options:

Glass roof

HID headlamps

Comfort Group

Electronics package

Shaker 1000

Rear video camera

PROS:

Great new styling

Upscale interior

Plenty of options

Best handling Mustang GT yet

CONS:

Some options only available in Premium Package

Jury still out on rear styling

Some of us still want more power
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