More pix at the source.

Source: Autoblog

On the first pic it looks like the new camaro... Seems like they didn't change the styling a lot.

I think it's going to be very similar to the 2005 model but with a little more aggression.

Agreed, it looks much of a muchness to me.

Waiting for the full view... hope it will look good! =)

I'm definitely spying more aggressive haunches:

Somewhere halfway between the '05 and the Giugiaro concept is my first impression.

I'm liking where this update is going a lot.

I'm looking to upgrade to the 2010 GT Mustang GT.
My 2006 has all of 8,790 miles on her now, I figure 12K when I trade her in...

I love the color of the teaser...

i dont even notice a difference

The differences are very subtle.

^ While it's obvious that it's a variation of the current theme, I think it'll be markedly different. I think the current 'Stang looks a bit like a brick. The '10 model will be more muscular, with more curves and character lines.

I also think that the overall effect is going to be dramatic--particularly the inclusion of large haunches in the rear.

I like your new avatar, BTW.

I saw that coming,

Changed it already?

^ No one told me the Panamera teasers were coming out today...or that what they'd reveal would be this good looking.

will it have independent rear suspension finally?

^ No.

The Ford Mustang will remain the budget option, and the best straight-line bang for the buck. The new Camaro will be the sports car of the group, by far handling the best, but it's probably going to be significantly more expensive than the Mustang (especially since even the base model has a direct-injected DOHC V6 with variable valve timing). The Challenger's high curb weight is going to hurt both its handling and its straight-line acceleration, but it's by far the best looking (in my completely subjective opinion), is the only one with an adult-sized rear seat (from what I've read), and will probably feel the most solid and substantial on the road.

Just my speculation, of course.

Aren't the Mustang GT and Challenger R/T within spitting distance of each other when it comes to pricing? Either way, last time I checked, in the UAE the GT costs as much as a VW Golf R32, Lexus IS300, Evo (at least the pricing for the IX), quite a bit more than a Lumina SS (think G8 GT), and a shitload more than an S2k. Yet they're still very popular here...my conclusion...the 'Stang will remain a strong seller as long as Ford can keep it fresh and fashionable. After all, it is a coupe.

seriously no IRS? common this is 2010 model and we are still making "sports" cars with live axles.......

The Challenger RT is about $2500 more than the Mustang GT here...$30k even versus $27,500 (before rebates and incentives). The R32, Lexus IS250, and EVO GSX are all in the ballpark of $32k here (before you start adding options), and the G8 GT starts at $30k.

The price gap would be bigger if Ford didn't set MSRP anticipating several thousand in incentives. Maybe this help salesman close the deal on uneducated buyers with "prices below invoice" and all, but it sure does skew things the wrong way for those of us who comparison-shop.



Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a live rear axle actually better than an independent rear suspension at the drag strip? Of course, it's much worse on a twisty road, that's a given.

Yes, most drag cars prefer to have solid rear axles since they are pretty much bomb proof and can take a lot of abuse.

Live axle suspension are also much cheaper to manufacture, but they are rather crude.

They put IRS in the '99-'01 Cobras and people actually took them out in favor of solid axles.

really? I have read that those SVT cobras had very good weight distribution and handling.

But for a lot of Americans, "racing" means quarter miles, not autocross. Balanced handling doesn't mean shit in Nebraska. Putting power down off the line does.

I personally prefer a good-handling car to a good drag racer, but I live in Oregon, not the midwest or Texas, where the nearest twisty road is 300 miles away.

^ Austin's got some great roads...I remember some in particular from when I used to live there.

I have a great "twisty" road which is about 40 miles from my home. Its called Motorsports ranch.

Fair enough. Texas is a massive state and it's not all uniform. I was just making a point that while, for example, most rural British people deal with windy narrow roads on a daily basis as the rule, not the exception, for "middle America," long straight roads are the rule, not the exception, and drag-racing is popular. The independent rear suspension and open rear differential of, say, a 3-Series works great on a twisty road but is crap at a drag strip. The exact opposite is true of a live rear axle. Different tools made for different environments.

The IRS that Ford put into the Cobras back around 2000 were, by all accounts I've read, not very good. They were basically SVT kits that they bolted in on the assembly line and were not included in the original design of the car. They couldn't get a particularly good suspension geometry going due to the space and packaging issues existing in the chassis, which is much of the reason why people ditch their IRSs for live axles in that car mostly. Those issues would not have existed if the IRS had fit into the chassis design from day one, and I suspect that if Ford were to include an IRS in the new Mustang's design early one then only the most hardcore drag racers would complain.

I think it's going to be really interesting to compare Mustang and new Camaro sales. Will Americans pay significantly more for (1) IRS, and (2) higher-tech engines? Or are Americans going to stick with cheap straight-line speed? I really don't know whether the majority of American pony car buyers are going to shun the Mustang as "cheap crap" compared to more sophisticated Camaro, or shun the Camaro as "fat" and "massively overpriced" compared to the Mustang? I guess only time will tell.

PS--I have never, ever used the adjective "sophisticated" to refer to the Camaro before.

I don't think it's fair to call the Camaro overpriced compared to the Mustang...Chevy claims "low 20s" for the V6 model, which even if that turns out to me $24k is still pretty fair. Ford's gonna have to bump up the Mustang up a grand at least, I figure, with this redesign, which would mean about a $3,000 gap from Mustang V6 to Camaro V6...which is very very close when you see the gap between the carryover 4.0 Mustang V6 and the nice shiny new 3.6 DI Camaro V6.

I guess I'm just skeptical that Chevy can offer a RWD car with a modern Holden platform and the upgraded engine from the CTS while keeping the price in the low $20s. I know that's what they've promised, but I just can't believe it. Remember that the CTS 3.6L DI starts at $36,720...and that's with leatherette upholstery.

Honestly, I'll be surprised if a Camaro 3.6 DI ends up being any cheaper than a similarly-equipped Mustang GT.

The striptease continues...



and spy shots

I like the new dash. I still dislike the fact that the plastic steering wheel spokes extend halfway around the rim (less comfortable to grip than leather). Door hardware, vents, and headlight switch look like VW pieces.

They may be sourced from the same manufacturer. I think I'd have to drive it to determine what I thought of the plastic bit on the wheel. My gut says no thanks.

I wasn't trying to suggest that they are the same pieces VW uses, just saying that stylistically they're very similar.

It apprears that the radio controlw are now mounted on the steering wheel (right side) the cruise control on the left.

The spy shots show a more aggressive stance, especially the GT 500.

I'm sure the Mustang GT premium will be similar the GT 500.

The 2010 Mustang should be at the New England Auto Show in November.

I still love mine, but I could trade up into the 2010.

My 3 year old stepniece, who we are foster parenting temporarily calls my Mustang "Uncle Ron's go fast car!"

FTW.

I think it's December this year, chief. Either way, let's go on the same day this year and have the first and only DS Northeast Meet

in LA in November i believe