If there's one constant in life it is change. As much as you might like that favorite sandwich at the corner deli, there will come a day when you walk in and sit at your usual spot, and when you go to order you'll get "I'm sorry, we took that off the menu last week." Sound familiar? Naturally, some people embrace change and others fear it. The same can be said about Mustang owners. Some love a certain generation and think Ford can never make a better car, while others look forward to what Ford does with each new redesign.
We'll be the first to admit that some years hold a great place in our hearts and others we look at and think, What was Ford thinking? By now you've most likely seen some online images and comments on the new 2010 Mustang. We've read them all as well. Some people think Ford went too far with the whole retro thing and others think Ford didn't do enough to the new car.
The original S197, when it arrived in 2005, was a hit straight out of the park and deep into the parking lot. The 2010 is more than a reskin. The new car has so much more technology and quality and fit and finish to it that it feels like a completely new car to us. The jump from the '05-'09 to the 2010 is akin to the '94-'98 to the '99-'04 changes. It's essentially the same car, but the progression of improvements is what makes the car ride, handle, and feel so much better.
This past December Ford invited Mustang scribes like us to California to get to know the new Mustang on several levels: From the basic walk around and technology pony show, to a day trip through the tight, winding roads of the Los Padres National Forest ending in a second day of on-track testing at Streets of Willow at Willow Springs Raceway. We've gone over every inch of the car, driven it in heavy California traffic as well as at speed, enjoyed every minute of the car's great new interior, learning about it's improved performance and handling capabilities (and the limits of our own driving), all so we could share out thoughts here in this first look. Is the 2010 Mustang all it's been hyped up to be? Keep reading to see what we found.
A Fresh Face
Upon first blush it would seem that Ford's stylists did a little tweak here and a pinch there to the Mustang's sheetmetal. In reality, the 2010 Mustang has a completely new skin. Every panel is new, designed with the Mustang's heritage in mind, except for the roof panel. The roof is the same as the current car, mainly to allow the '09 glass roof option to be available at Job 1 for the 2010. More muscle was given to the 2010 design by Chief Designer Doug Gaffka and Design Manager George Saridakis by referencing classic Mustang design.
Vancouver B.C. Car Info
vancouvercarinfo.com/
Wpg Auto Dealer
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Winding Roads. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Winding Roads. Mostrar todas las entradas
sábado, 9 de enero de 2010
lunes, 28 de diciembre de 2009
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
Vancouver B.C. Car Info
vancouvercarinfo.com/
Wpg Auto Dealer
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
Vancouver B.C. Car Info
vancouvercarinfo.com/
Wpg Auto Dealer
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)