Topnotch

I think they'll bring The Mustang out as a MY2009.

Some Clues from articles...
1) Car and Driver changed there article from 09 to 10 sighting of prototype.

2) autos.canada.com...Ford has had little, if any, competition in the domestic musclecar category since the current-generation Mustang was introduced for 2005. But with its rivals ramping up with the Camaro and Challenger, Ford has decided to make the Mustang a moving target that will be tough to hit. For the 2009 model year, the Mustang will get a freshened body design on the current platform and GT models are expected to get at least 50 more horsepower under the hood. Ford is also thought to be working on a retractable hardtop for the Mustang -- a technology the company pioneered in the 1950s -- but whether that makes it into production remains to be seen.

3) Press Release from WEBASTO...
Like the speed of the car itself, the soon-to-be-released 2009 Ford Mustang was the inspiration for a fast-developed new glass roof option that maximizes automotive consumers' growing desire for more natural light.
America's favorite muscle car, the Ford Mustang, will make its 2009, 45th- anniversary public debut at the North American International Auto Show with an unique alternative developed by Webasto Roof Systems, Inc. -- a factory-installed fixed glass roof.....As seen in the new Mustang, designs are trending towards sleeker, more aerodynamic and more dramatic body styles. Innovative roof systems like the Ford Mustang fixed glass roof provide a feeling of openness with lots of light while maintaining a strong structural roof that passed the full battery of compliance testing.

4)NASCAR Busch series, which will be called the Nationwide series in 2008 and beyond:
A source at Ford Motor Company says the motorsports division expects the Ford Mustang to replace the Fusion in the NASCAR Busch [Nationwide Series in 2008] series.

97GT03SVT

Maybe your right, Ford Usualy introduces a new model for an anniversary year. I know people might say well both the 35th and 40th anniversary were "new edge" cars it was because the s197 fell behind schedule and was suppost to be released for 04' as a 40th anniversary tribute. Maybe Ford is saying it is an 10' just in case they fall behind again

Knight

MY2009 seems too early.. that means it shoudl be on lots within like 9 months.

just doesn't seem like we ahve seen enough leaked shots of prototype shots yet.

V10

If we don't see it at NAIAS I say it's unlikely it will be a 2009 model.
A 2010 MY introduced in mid 09 is more like it.

StangPower05

Sounds good! Hope all is true!

boduke0220

****..i fell old..i remember playin with like 1/64th hot wheels and thinkin "man why the hech are they changing the mustang body style?" and now i LOVE it. but that was only 3-4 years ago.

m05fastbackGT

The original re-fresh..was scheduled for this upcoming summer...Until Ford learned of GM's decision to move forward with it's production plans, for their upcoming 2010 Camaro..

As a direct result ! Mark Fields decided to push the re-design back from 2009MY to 2010MY..As he wanted more than just a cosmetic facelift to compete with the upcoming Camaro...

So why all of a sudden. would Ford change the timeframe back to 2009MY a full year before the 2010 Camaro launch

From a strategic point of view. this wouldn't make any logical sense, and would also give GM the advantage over Ford !

Moosetang

More likely they adjusted it to MY 2009.5, just as the origional model was a 1/2-year introduction.

MustangFanatic

Agreed, done solely for the purpose of mounting a counter offensive to the Camaro launch.

m05fastbackGT

So in other words..if they adjust it as a MY2009.5 model..Is it still safe to assume, that it won't arrive ahead of the upcoming 2010 Camaro launch ?

97GT03SVT

When is the Camaro coming out? Is it gonna be a 10' but availible in late or mid 09'?

I think that an 09' launch could actually be good for sales considering that the current gen sales have slipped dramatically. If the styling and power are right for the next restyle Ford could get at least one more strong sales year without the Camaro as a competitor. If Ford waits till 10' they will now have two strong competitors (Challenger, Camaro).

Either way I think this competiton is bad for Ford but good for the consumer. Maybe it's just me but reguardless how good or bad the new Mustang looks it will not be as difficult to purchase a new 09' or 10' GT at MSRP as it was for the 05'.

Knight

2009.5 would make sense for a perfect 45 year anniversary from 1964.5

michaelkulov

does anyone know if the refresh will have the 3.5 or 3.7 duratec for the v6? how much crank HP and TQ.... anyone???

Moosetang

Camaro is supposedly Fall '09. A 2009.5 launch for Mustang earlier, April being the month that the origional model was launched in '64.

Nothing official, 3.7 was origionally Linc-exclusive but they might still use it depending on how they react to Camaro/Challenger base engines.

3Mach1

Everything I have gathered on the new camaro is that it will begin production in the spring of 09. There is a video of Bob Lutz saying it will be out exactly three years from the date the concept was released so who knows.

Other speculation is that at minimum it will have the L76 and quite possibly a slightly detuned version of the LS3. The LS2 is out. Ford cant get the 6.2 Boss out quick enough for the trucks and mustangs.

Gas may be 7.50 a gallon by then so none of it may matter anyway.

m05fastbackGT

Just out of curiosity. If the re-designed S-197 does indeed wind up as the 45th anniversary edition, as a 2009.5 model. It would also make sense. If the timeframe for the next generation Mustang takes place, during it's 50th anniversary as a 2014.5 model.

AWmustang

I'm convinced that Ford will preview the refreshed (and later the redesigned) Mustangs at the Detroit autoshow BEFORE it goes on sale to the Public.

If it's not there in 2 weeks (which I doubt it will be) then it won't be a 2009 model. However, it could show up at next years show and be a 2009.5 model as some have suggested.

I'll be there for the first public day of the show, but by then the press will have already seen everything and we'll probably know one way or the other.

m05fastbackGT

The timeline for the re-design wasn't as a 2009MY to begin with, but as a 2010MY. The original 2009MY re-fresh, was moved back to 2010MY by Mark fields. for the sole purpose of mounting a counter offensive to the 2010 Camaro launch.

slowjoe24

Is Brad covering the Detroit show as he has done in the past years??

karman

You feel old!!!!
I remember thinking how cool that new GT40 race car looked before the first Mustang came out.