Episode 2823, Episode 2840
Like any winner, the trick to a car staying out-in-front of its rivals is a constant series of careful nips, tucks, and updates. Now, it’s been less than five years since Ford completely redesigned their original pony car, the Mustang. That rework produced a totally modern sport coupe that quickly became an industry benchmark. A benchmark that a lot of others are now taking an aim at. So, it’s time for a nip, tuck, and maybe a whole lot more.
With the 2010 Mustang, Ford has actually gone far beyond the typical mid-cycle freshening. The result is a totally up-to-date interpretation of the original pony car, with a trimmer, sharper, more muscular form.
The effort readies the Mustang - coupe, convertible, and glass hardtop - to face-off against a herd of rivals like the new Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and even the Nissan 370Z.
While the platform is largely unchanged, the new Mustang is wrapped in new and much sharper sheet metal. The result is more revisited ‘69 than ever.
A more swept back front end and narrower grille are adorned by an energized pony logo - charcoal on our GT, chrome on the V6. On the GT, the grille is also home to retro fog lamps, flanked by turn signals, and classic round headlamps at the edges, and the long hood is now landscaped with chiseled lines and a Ford signature power dome.
The new Mustang’s more svelte profile is punctuated by finely drawn wheel flares and a more defined character line that slices rearward.
The fastback greenhouse still leads back to rear quarter windows and chopped corners. But around those corners sit new taillights with sequential turn signals, a novelty not seen on a Ford product since the 1970’s, all finishing with bolder rear badging, and on the Mustang GT, a deck lid spoiler, and rolled chrome exhaust tips.
All wheels are new and up an inch, ranging from 17s to 19s.
This revisionist dream really picks up speed inside where the classic twin-co*ckpit cabin is far more refined, dare we say less “domestic” than before.
While the new one-piece instrument panel downplays the classic twin-co*ckpit theme, it plays up softer touch points, and vastly improved fit and finish. Chrome-ringed round gauges and added aluminum trim highlight the upscale appearance, as does the pony-stamped steering wheel with aluminum spokes and cruise plus available audio controls.
The circular center air vents have been replaced by rectangular ones, which are positioned atop an all-new center stack.
Here you’ll find user friendly-technologies such as the latest version of Ford Sync with 9-1-1 Assist and Vehicle Health Report, as well as an available eight-inch navigation screen with back-up camera.
This year MyColor expands beyond the gauge cluster, allowing adjustable ambient lighting from cup holders to sill plates, using a palette of 125 hues.
As before, the rear seat remains 2+2 tight, but retains its split fold to add versatility to the 13.4 cubic foot trunk.
The new Mustang sees far less change in the engine bay, but that’s okay. The base 4.0-liter V6 remains at 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The GT’s standard 4.6-liter V8 gets a slight boost thanks to a cold air induction system similar to the Bullitt, and now rates at 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet.
But if monster performance is what you seek, Ford has also announced a 2010 Shelby GT500. Its supercharged 5.4-liter V8 is expected to make a whopping 540 horses and 510 pound-feet of torque.
The standard Mustang pushes power rearward through a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The manual’s upgraded shifter has a more solid feel - less clunky, if you will.
The same goes for the suspension, which has been retuned for better ride and handling. Springs and shocks have been adjusted, but it’s still defined by the same MacPherson strut design up front, and a three-link geometry live axle with panhard rod in the rear. A stiffer suspension package using GT500 hardware and summer performance tires will be available shortly.
We sorted out a Mustang GT by carving up the canyon roads around Malibu, California. It certainly is tighter and more balanced than ever before. Both body roll and understeer have been minimized, all while enhancing ride quality, which is not just smoother, but also quieter, that is until you test the V8’s wonderful throttle volume.
Electronic stability control joins traction control and ABS as standard. The stability control can be turned on and off, and has a Sport Mode on the GT.
Pricing for the 2010 Mustang is up slightly but still covers a moderate spread, from $21,845 for the base V6, to $28,845 for the V8 GT. Convertible base prices are 2 grand higher.
But this new horse does have to be fed. Government Fuel Economy ratings are 16 city/24 highway for the V6 automatic, and 15 city/22 highway for the GT V8 automatic.
The 2010 Ford Mustang is more of a looker and doer than ever. The original pony car has answered its critics with a leaner and meaner makeover, adding both a vastly improved interior and driving experience. This steed is nicely done, and clearly ready for the pony car wars that are sure to follow.
Specifications
- Engine: Gt 4.6-Liter V8
- Horsepower: 315
- Torque: 325 Lb Feet
- EPA: 16 MPG City/ 24 MPG Highway
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You Don’t Have To Go Full EV To Live The EV Lifestyle
Episode 4338
You’ve heard us say many times that PHEVs– plug-in hybrid electrics– rather than BEVs– pure battery electrics– are a sound choice for many folks thinking about owning an electric vehicle. Well, buyers do seem to have gotten the message, as while recent sales of all-electric BEVs are down, PHEVs are suddenly skyrocketing. So, we thought we’d give you a close look at the range of PHEVs that are available today.
An EV when you want it, a fuel-efficient hybrid when you don’t; that’s the reason that PHEVs are so appealing, and why we feel they’re the perfect starter vehicle for this time of transition from internal combustion to all-electric. So, buckle up for an alphabetical rundown of all the mainstream PHEVs that are currently available.
BMW has many plug-in options, starting around $46,000 with the 2.0-liter I4-based 330e sedan and its 22 miles of EV range. There’s also a 750e sedan with more than 30 miles of EV range, and an xDrive50e X5 utility with closer to 40 miles of EV range, plus a high-performance XM with 738 horsepower. For partner Mini, a small 1.5-liter I4-based setup is available in the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 utility with 18 miles of EV range, going for around $42,000.
Ford has been in the plug-in game for some time, and currently gets a great 37 miles of EV range out of their 2.5-liter I4-based setup which is available in both the Escape for about $36,000, and in its upscale Lincoln Corsair counterpart which goes for around $55,000.
Hyundai offers a pair of plug-in SUVs, the Santa Fe priced at around $43,000 and the Tucson which goes for about $40,000; both use a 1.6-liter I4 turbo engine. It shares with their corporate cousins over at Kia. The Sorento, which starts around $51,000, and the Sportage, beginning at $40,000, along with Kia’s Niro at $35,000. All get more than 30 miles of EV Range.
For the high-rollers, Land Rover has a six-cylinder P550e plug-in option for both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport with 51 miles of range, starting around $119,000.
Mazda is very new to the plug-in game, with their inline-six based setup just recently becoming available in the new CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs, both with 26 miles of electric-only range, starting at $41,000.
Mercedes-Benz has offered quite a few PHEVs over the years, though currently their lineup only consists of the $70,000 GLE450e SUV with a 2.0-liter I4 and 48 miles of EV range; and a $128,000 3.0-liter I6 S580e sedan with 46 miles of range. Though a high-performance 671 horsepower AMG C 63 S E Performance will be blasting onto the scene soon.
We’re very familiar with this second-gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, having had both generations as part of our long-term fleet. The current Outlander PHEV goes for $41,000 and gets 38 miles of EV range from its 2.4-liter I4-based setup.
Stellantis has a wide array of PHEVs available across their many brands, starting with the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar-packing Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. It arrived way back in 2017 and currently delivers 32 miles of EV range for $40,000.
More recently, they’ve added the technology to the Jeep brand with 4Xe versions of the Jeep Wrangler for $52,000 and the Grand Cherokee at $61,000. And their most recent setup has just arrived in the compact crossover segment with 33 miles of battery in both the $45,000 Alfa Romeo Tonale and the $42,000 Dodge Hornet R/T.
All of this started with the Toyota Prius of course, which you can now get a Prime version of for $34,000 with a 2.0-liter I4 and 40 miles of range. The RAV4 Prime goes for $45,000 getting 42 miles. Plus, there’s a trio of Lexus PHEV’s rolling with bigger batteries on board, the NX450h+, the RX450h+, and the TX550h+, starting around $58,000.
Volkswagen PHEVs stick to their premium brands, starting with the $58,000 2.0-liter I4-based Audi Q5 55TFSI e quattro SUV with 22 miles of battery range.
Bentley adds electric-motor assistance to a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 for both the $206,000 Bentayga SUV, which gets 18 miles of EV range, and the $217,000 Flying Spur sedan, which stretches it to 21 miles. That same setup is available at Porsche in E-hybrid versions of both the $93,000 Cayenne SUV and $110,000 Panamera sedan, getting up to 19 miles on battery power.
Finally, Volvo has had a plug-in version of their turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 since the T8 arrived with the XC90 back in 2016. Now with a Recharge label, an updated version is available in just about every vehicle in their lineup; the S60 and S90 sedans, XC60 and XC90 SUVS, and yes even in the V60 wagon, starting around $53,000 with up to 40 EV miles.
So, there you have it, the Bs-to-Vs of PHEVs. They really are an easy way to live the EV lifestyle today, without going all the way.
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