By Frank S. Washington
DETROIT, MI — I’ve test driven Ford’s Mustang several times, although it’s been a while. Still, I was impressed with the way Ford has incorporated contemporary conveniences into the 2010 version of the Mustang.
Ford has managed to incorporate the latest version of its SYNC system into the Mustang which up to now I didn’t think would happen. The system included 911 assist and vehicle self diagnostics.
I could also customize the ambient lighting including the instruments backlights. There were 125 colors to choose from but I for the most part stuck with blue.
Ford has done a lot of work on the interior of the 2010 Mustang. It’s not as closeted as past models, the materials actually made me feel comfortable and there was an ambience that only a well thought out design can provide.
Even the silver satin plating on the center stack was amply used, which I hate, was attractive. It provided an aesthetically pleasing mood. The Mustang’s gauges were ringed in aluminum, the black seats had white and French stitching and the front seats were comfortable.
Anyone familiar with the Mustang knows that the back seats are for insurance companies to lessen the rates. No way, can any normal sized adult fit back there. In fact, it’s hard to imagine being able to get a contemporary child seat in the Mustang’s back seats. Although it’s not billed that way, the Mustang is a 2+2.
Handling was spot on. The suspension was firm but not stiff and the car really was fun to drive. I had trouble connecting SYNC to my phone using Bluetooth but I wasn’t alarmed. I knew the problem was on my end and not the system.
My creature comforts were impressive. The Mustang had a premium eight-speaker audio system with an in dash six disc CD player with MP3 capability and USB and auxiliary jacks. It also had voice controls and satellite radio. Although my test car did not have one, the Mustang can be equipped with a navigation system.
Though my test vehicle looked like the most recent Mustangs, the exterior sheet metal was all new. There were new headlamps, lower fascias, fenders and the grille was capped by a power dome hood that added to the muscular appearance while functionally allowing for enhanced air cooling of the engine. The washer-fluid nozzles have been tucked into the cowl and the antenna had been moved to the rear.
I had a V6 powered Mustang which at first I didn’t believe. It’s still hard to swallow. That’s because the engine was and is the gustiest, most growling V6 I’ve ever heard. The four-liter six-pack produced 210 horsepower and 240 pounds-feet of torque. It was mated to a six speed manual gearbox.
As I said, my test vehicle sounded like a V8. The only telltale sign was it seemed a little sluggish when I accelerated. Still, for a V6 it was sufficient. The car was rated at 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the HWY.
Equipment on my test car included lower tape stripe, deck lid spoiler, 18″ polished aluminum wheels, body-color exterior mirrors, unique grille, fog lamps, pony fender badge, auto headlamps, premium floor mats with embroidered tri-bar pony logo, unique chrome exhaust tip.
My Mustang V6 was not a bad package. The car had fun to drive characteristics, a V6 engine that sounded like a V8, muscular styling, and hands-free voice activated features and the price was $27,835. That wasn’t bad.
Frank S. Washington is managing partner/editor of AboutThatCar.com and AboutThatCarBlog.com.
