2010 Ford Mustang GT Premium: Pony express

By Bill Visnic, Motor Matters

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 12:02 PM

Oh yeah, there was worrisome hand wringing amongst the Mustang faithful when Ford announced plans to restyle its legendary model for 2010. After all, 2005's brilliant Mustang redesign hit almost all the right buttons with the sharky front and grille recalling the muscular 1967-1969 vintage, while the profile was pure first-generation 'Stang.

The faithful needn't have worried. Although the 2010 Mustang has just one piece of carryover sheet metal (the roof), the restyling didn't mess up a thing.

That aggressive forward lean is still going on at the front and the new "powerdome" hood is magnificent. I figured the trimmed and tapered new rear might compromise the "muscle" part of the equation, but the Mustang's stylists pulled that off, too.

It all gels. The new 2010 Mustang manages to look meaner and slightly leaner, while plying all the nostalgic design cues, yet presenting them as a modern and evolving design.

Ford also spent resources to upgrade the Mustang's interior for 2010. Back in 2005, it seemed all the attention - and investment - was centered on nailing the exterior styling, leaving the interior improved, but lacking.

For 2010, the Mustang's innards are immediately noticeable as a nicer place. The instrument panel now is a soft-touch material and the chrome rings around the gauges and other details look like they fit better.

The 2010 interior is plenty nice - your job is to decide whether upgrading to the Premium trim is worth the $3,000 asking price. There is a lot of content: leather-wrapped steering wheel, Sirius satellite radio, Ford's SYNC onboard connectivity system for portable electronics, a sweet aluminum shift knob and aluminum pedal covers and a special six-gauge instrument cluster.

The still-bigger decision is whether to dish out for the GT. It's an extra $7,000 commitment over the standard V-6 car, but one that transforms the 2010 Mustang from pleasant pony car to real-deal muscle car.

Most of that sizable upcharge goes for the engine. The GT uses Ford's modular 4.6-liter V-8 and its upgrades are largely borrowed from the former Bullitt model. There now is a total of 315 horsepower, a useful 15 horses more than before.

The growl, howl and burble of the V-8 is one of the GT's chief attractions; whether it's at idle or a 6,000-rpm gearshift, the symphony coming from the engine and the python-thick exhaust tips is never less than achingly special.

Those nostalgic for the original muscle car can block out the Mustang's not-so-memorable points, and focus instead on the Mustang's excellent new styling and the scrumptious sounds and performance delivered by that silly-fun V-8.

EPA fuel economy:

City: 16, Highway: 24

Base Price (for GT Premium model):

$30,995 (as tested, $34,420)

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