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It’s hard to imagine the level of care required of the Mustang’s designers when penning the 2010 makeover. Some very stiff competition had arisen in the form of the Challenger  and Camaro  -- but Ford's revised superstar still had to carry that signature Mustang look. One wrong swipe of the pencil would put fans, loyal owners and the general public into a state of upheaval.
The Mustang beat Dodge and GM to the modern retro-rocket scene by a few years to say the least, but its look was starting to grow a bit old. Accordingly, the car is now all dressed up for the re-emerging muscle-car battle. The 2010 Mustang looks sharper, more alert, more three-dimensional and more detailed than the outgoing model.

A controversial butt
Some like it, others don't. Fans comment on the new changes as quickly as they notice them-- and the majority will express mixed feelings about the newly sculpted rear end. It seems the jury is still deliberating on whether the new angularity drawn into the hind-portions beats out the simple, flat-back look from a year ago. The sequential taillamps are almost universally loved, though.

Most agree that the 2010 model is unquestionably confident, muscular and sleek. It remains recognizable as a Mustang from any angle, even if there's no 'Mustang' badge anywhere on the body.

Roof down, stereo up
The tester was a GT Convertible, featuring a motorized fabric roof that retracts after a quick unlatching procedure and holding a button for a few seconds. Ford's cell-phone pairing 'Sync system was fitted to stream music, make voice-dialed calls and even read incoming text messages. Call quality was exceptional even with the roof down, and the Shaker audio system delivers any type of music with a nice punch.

Color-selectable ambient lighting highlights the cabin after dark, and Mustang’s 'MyColor' instruments have been considerably enhanced, too. One could spend hours fiddling with the various light effects to find the perfect color scheme for their mood. It's quite possibly the coolest instrument clusters on the road.
Seats are gorgeous, as is the center console which flows down into the shifter and towards the rear. The cabin looks fantastic after dark, and it's all slightly more modern and dynamic without losing its character. Materials quality has been notably improved too, and the dashboard no longer feels like a missing piece of a plastic patio set.

Typical complaints of the car remain. Rear seats are for kids or child-seats only, roof-up visibility is limited, and the front quarters don’t feel quite as roomy as the body's size lets on. Additionally, the high-mounted 12-volt power outlet leaves your charging cable dangling in the way of the stereo controls.

Bullitt-based motivation
Minor modifications have sent output from the powerplant a bit farther north, and the 4.6 litre V8 is now rated at 315 horses on regular fuel.

Turns out that last-year’s Bullitt model was a great preview of the 2010 Mustang GT's powertrain setup, since the same style of intake, engine controller, and various other tweaks were carried over. The two-stage octane detection system is here too, dialing up the engine for a bit more low-end jam if you feed it high-grade fuel.

Redline is increased slightly, the exhaust tips are larger, and the sound remains 100-percent American-grade V8 beef. Mustang achieves ignition with a short snarl followed by a distinctive burble-- playing quietly if drivers are very gentle but generally snorting, howling and bellowing at any chance. Lifting off the throttle at certain RPMs even sends awesome crackling, popping sounds from the exhaust.

Ford’s left the competition no room to gain an edge in terms of sound effects.

Sharper legs
The 2009 Mustang Bullitt was a good indication of the way the 2010 Mustang GT would handle, too. Suspension modifications have been carried over, and the 2010 GT feels sharper and more precise than other Mustangs in recent memory. It’s still far from a corner-carving monster, though by Mustang standards, it’s vastly improved.

The solid-axle rear end can lead to some jiggly handling dynamics in certain situations, but it puts power down off the line very reliably. Wearing a huge set of optional 19-inch wheels, the tester boasted excellent ride comfort-- even over some nastily-deteriorated backroads.

As has been the case for decades, Mustang remains an easy-to-drive machine that’s happy to accompany you from everyday running around to weekend drag-racing and anywhere in between.

Your own Pony
Brand loyalty runs deep when one deals with machines so solidly rooted in history. If you’re a die-hard Dodge fan or have a Chevy bow-tie tattoo, the Mustang isn’t going to make you jump ship—unless you’re wife is dead-set on a ragtop.

Fans of other brands can make of the new Stang what they will-- but for Mustang lovers, the new one’s a no-brainer. It’s remained an easygoing, incredibly visible and highly rewarding car to drive.
Photos: Justin Pritchard