rhumb

Here's another rendering and speculation on what the 2009 Stang mid-life freshening might look like.

• Pic: www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/09-mustang_render.jpg
• Story: www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/2385

Sounds fairly plausible in general terms of scale and scope -- basically an easy freshening of the current body with just a bit more steam in the engine bay but nothing too much beyond that.

If fairly accurate, would this be enough to go up against the Camaro and Challenger? I imagine what Ford's battle plan might be is to stake out the bargain basement end of the pony car class and leave the two new competitors to battle it out a rung or two higher on the price/content/performance ladder rather than going totally head-to-head against them.

unnoticedtrails

already started..sorry rhumbhttp://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=57497

jsaylor

I like everything about this rendering with the exception of those very busy headlight buckets. I love the smushed shape of the buckets themselves which giving the car an angrier appearance. But they can keep the multi-element "I was a camera lense in my past life" look, at least on a Mustang. I'd rather see a larger headlight where the top looks a bit "cut off' by the shorter opening. I don't mind having the turn-signal's in there, in fact I'd love it, but they need to be less obvious with the headlight itself taking center stage.

As for the Mustang's "bargain basmement positioning". I'm not sure it's Ford changing where they position their pony car here. After giving it some thought, if GM can position a 400hp, 6.0L, LS2-powered, 6M and IRS equipped Camaro directly against a ~27k Mustang GT I'll be very impressed indeed. I'll also be surprised since that would have to be a major slap in the face to GM's turbo twins, the Sky Redline and Solstice GTP.

Maybe GM is trying to move the entire school of fish upstream. But even if they are I have to wonder how easy a V-6 powered Camaro which would likely sticker for almost what a Mustang GT does decently equipped is going to be to sell. And if GM is making the Camaro a more expensive car, wouldn't it really be GM and DCX who apparently don't want top try to go head to head with the Mustang since that is the existing entry?

Twin Turbo

Nice

I'd like this front end:





With this rear end:

unnoticedtrails

whos drawing is that on the bottom?

Twin Turbo

Mine. Only joking!! It's a still taken from one of the Giugiaro concept videos. This sketch is MUCH better than the final concept, in my opinion.

Hollywood_North GT

Given what's leaking out from the recent journalists/dealers Ford Employee Preview, the next major redesign of the Stang will be a 2010 car available in late 2009. From what I'm reading and being told, it will be built on the current platform, but will bear more than a passing resemblence to the Guigario Mustang shown in LA.

Meanwhile, the '08 Mustang will get the refresh - mostly minor stuff like tweaks to the front end sheet metal.

jsaylor

If Ford does employ styling from the Guigario car I can only hope that those hideous front headlight buckets don't make it.

GTJOHN

I like the front end of that car(Guigario)! It looks mean! Add a slight American touch to it, and it would be great!

jsaylor

To my eye the front clip is the worst part of the car, by far. In fact, I rather like everything else.

Hollywood_North GT

I'm told it will look like this >>

COMMENTS: The [2010] Mustang will not be exactly like the [Guigario] Italian concept. The interior...NOTHING like it. Put the front end of that car on a current Mustang, slightly round the rear...and there you have it.

SuperMach1

I agree the front is prettty ehh ugly

jsaylor

Dang, here's to hopin' your source is wrong. Cause if the 2010 pony looks like that I'm gonna need something strong to start thinking she looks good.

Moosetang

/shrug I like the Guigario's front end. Lets reserve the heavy drinking until we see the thing in the flesh.

jsaylor

Ah, I might have been laying it on a bit thick. I'm willing to wait for a production version before I go on any self-pity binges. Although I think those crazy sedan rumours may have been resposible for an upsurge in spirits sales come to think of it.

Bluejoker

The Guigario concept was awesome. We can only hope to see the elements in that concept put into the next mustang. The car is simply mean.

kjacobson351

I still like the 2005 mustang concept the best, that looks well at home the the modern vintage styling of the Camaro and Challenger, but since that will never happen, I like the front end of the "motor trend car" and the tail lights from the sketch. The taillights from the guigario concept were terrible

Topnotch

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showpo...4&postcount=98