2010 Ford Mustang Coupe GT, the Muscle Car

By Raj Savdhariya | Aug 29, 2010

The 2010 Ford Mustang puts a bounce in its gallop with rejuvenated styling inside and out. It also boasts larger wheels, standard stability control and more power for the V8-powered GT model. Handling has been improved across the board, and the GT benefits from suspension tuning from last year’s discontinued Bullitt edition. An optional GT TrackPack further sharpens the Mustang GT’s suspension for track duty. Additionally, Ford’s voice-activated Sync multimedia integration system is now available for the Mustang.

From the driver’s perspective, the 2010 Ford Mustang is a tale of two engines. The base Mustang with its aged V6 is a truck in sport-coupe clothing, a debatable 20-dollar upgrade at the Hertz counter. The Mustang V8, on the other hand, is a barrel-chested beast that lives to make stoplight mincemeat of similarly priced import sport coupes. But even the base Mustang V6 benefits from the numerous exterior and interior styling updates for 2010, and new optional features like Ford Sync are undeniably alluring. On this view, the 2010 Ford Mustang actually offers something for everyone: a rowdy V8-powered performance car for enthusiasts and a distinctively styled six-cylinder coupe for those whose tire-squealing days are behind them.

Let’s start with the Mustang GT, a rambunctious purveyor of burbling exhaust pipes and smoking tires that can nonetheless tackle a twisting mountain road with admirable poise. Its non-independent rear suspension might not be the most technologically advanced design on the planet, but the GT makes up for it with a combination of a sweet 4.6-liter V8 and shrewd suspension tuning, both of which have benefited from a raid on the discontinued Mustang Bullitt’s parts bin. The V8 gains 15 horsepower and 5 pound-feet of torque this year, thanks in large part to the Bullitt’s cold-air induction system, and the springs and shocks have also been dialed up to Bullitt levels of stiffness. For those who aren’t sufficiently impressed by the GT’s improvements, the TrackPack option package tightens up the suspension even further.

The Mustang V6, on the other hand, is saddled with an ancient V6 that’s intimately related to the venerable Ford Ranger pickup’s optional 4.0-liter power plant. It continues to sell well because of its eye-catching retro styling and considerably lower cost, but in our opinion, there are simply better choices. The Mustang V6′s base price makes us think of numerous other desirable sporty cars we’d rather spend that money on the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T, to name a couple. However, we will confess that the Mustang V6 convertible would be our rental ragtop of choice, easily beating out the monumentally boring Chrysler Sebring.

Notwithstanding the Mustang V6′s mediocrity, the V8-powered GT is certainly an enticing proposition. It’s more nimble than the Dodge Challenger, and while the Chevrolet Camaro SS puts up competitive numbers, the smaller ‘Stang GT is more maneuverable and fun to drive. One might also consider the Hyundai Genesis Coupe V6 and the Nissan 370Z, though neither can match the Mustang’s melodious V8. All said, the Mustang V6 may be the dog of this show, but the GT is a thoroughbred pony that offers one of the best sub-$30,000 rides in the business.

2010 Ford Mustang Base Coupe Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

4,009 cc 4.0 liters V 6 front engine with 100.4 mm bore, 84.4 mm stroke, 9.7 compression ratio, overhead cam and two valves per cylinder 99N
Unleaded fuel 87 and petrol
Fuel consumption: EPA 08 city (mpg): 18, highway (mpg): 26, combined (mpg): 21, 541 and 336
Multi-point injection fuel system
16.0 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 13.3
Power: 157 kW, 210 HP SAE @ 5,300 rpm; 240 ft lb, 325 Nm @ 3,500 rpm

2010 Ford Mustang Base Coupe Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

ABS
Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Immobilizer
Spacesaver steel rim spare wheel
Stability control
Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, beam rear suspension rigid with coil springs

2010 Ford Mustang Base Coupe Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features

Painted front and rear bumpers
Driver and passenger power black door mirrors
External dimensions: overall length (inches): 188.1, overall width (inches): 73.9, overall height (inches): 55.6, wheelbase (inches): 107.1, front track (inches): 62.3, rear track (inches): 62.9 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 33.4
Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
Metallic paint
Fixed rear window with defogger
Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,401
Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe

2010 Ford Mustang Base Coupe Interior Standard Features

12v power outlet: front
Air conditioning
Fixed mast antenna
RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player
Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 13.4
Clock
Floor console
Delayed/fade courtesy lights
Cruise control
Front seats cup holders
Floor mats
Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
Bucket driver seat with height adjustment manual, bucket passenger seat
3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
Front seat center armrest
Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats
Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.5, rear headroom (inches): 34.7, front hip room (inches): 53.4, rear hip room (inches): 46.8, front leg room (inches): 42.4, rear leg room (inches): 29.8, front shoulder room (inches): 55.3, rear shoulder room (inches): 51.6 and interior volume (cu ft): 83.3
Low tire pressure indicator
Remote power locks includes power windows
Power steering
Front power windows with two one-touch
Front reading lights
3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side and passenger side
Two symmetrical bench/sports front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
Rear view mirror
Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional upgraded cloth/velour
Seating: four seats
Front side airbag
Four speaker(s)
Plastic steering wheel with tilt adjustment
Tachometer
Driver and passenger vanity mirror
Ventilation system

The Price for 2010 Ford Mustang are as Below.

2010 Ford Mustang		Drivetrain	Engine	Trans.	Fuel Econ.	MSRP
	V6	RWD	4.0L V6	Manual Auto	21 mpg	$21,395
	V6 Premium	RWD	4.0L V6	Manual Auto	21 mpg	$24,395
	GT	RWD	4.6L V8	Manual Auto	19 mpg	$28,395
	GT Premium	RWD	4.6L V8	Manual Auto	19 mpg	$31,395