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With the 45th anniversary of the Mustang fast approaching and the Camaro and Challenger due to be resurrected, there have been rumors circulating that Fords engineering team has been testing the 2009 Mustang in the Arizona desert.
The new Mustang will be based on the current S197 platform and will not be completely redesigned from the ground up. A complete redesign would prove too costly, so Ford intends to make any necessary improvements with the current platform to compete with the Camaro and Challenger.
When it comes to appearance, the 2009 Mustang will not disappoint. While, the wheelbase and overall dimensions of the car probably wont change much, the 2009 Mustang will be more aggressive and audacious in its styling. With modern body lines, more pronounced front and rear flanks and a proportionally smaller glass area, the 2009 Mustang will have a sleek, yet aggressive appearance. Its expected that retro styling will continue to dominate the theme of the car, but there are certainly going to be some modern details included, such as projector beam headlights in its newly designed front facia.
The heart of 2009 Mustang GT will most likely beat through Fords new 3-valve 4.6L V8, although there has been some speculation that it could see either the 4-valve 4.6L V-8 or the 3-valve 5.4L V-8. Whichever engine Ford decides to plant under the hood of the 2009 Mustang, one thing is for sure, displacement on demand (DOD) technology will be used. This feature allows the engine to shut off four of the 8 cylinders to improve fuel economy when the engine is lightly loaded. By using the DOD technology, a more aggressive engine tune may be possible which could give the Mustang a potent 325-340hp. All this power will likely be harnessed through a 5 speed gearbox, unless the competition forces Ford to do drop a six-speed in.
Although its expected that the 2009 Mustang will ride on a refined version of the DEW-lite chassis which is currently used in the S197 Mustang, one possible change could be an independent rear suspension in place of the solid rear axle. The Camaro and Challenger are both expected to sport an IRS, so Ford may be forced to follow suit.
The interior of the 2009 Mustang will likely be just as bold as the exterior. Look for improvements such as a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and door panels which will continue to give the Mustang a retro look, yet modern feel. One feature that will surely be dropped from the 2009 Mustang is the My-Color instruments, which allows the color of the instrument panel to be changed to suit the drivers styling needs. This option has proven costly for Ford and removing it should help keep production costs down.
With the Camaro and Challenger hitting the streets in the near future, the 2009 Mustang Concept certainly proves that Ford is not waiting around for the competition to catch up. As we can see, the Mustang once again aims to be a leader and not a follower.
The new Mustang will be based on the current S197 platform and will not be completely redesigned from the ground up. A complete redesign would prove too costly, so Ford intends to make any necessary improvements with the current platform to compete with the Camaro and Challenger.
When it comes to appearance, the 2009 Mustang will not disappoint. While, the wheelbase and overall dimensions of the car probably wont change much, the 2009 Mustang will be more aggressive and audacious in its styling. With modern body lines, more pronounced front and rear flanks and a proportionally smaller glass area, the 2009 Mustang will have a sleek, yet aggressive appearance. Its expected that retro styling will continue to dominate the theme of the car, but there are certainly going to be some modern details included, such as projector beam headlights in its newly designed front facia.
The heart of 2009 Mustang GT will most likely beat through Fords new 3-valve 4.6L V8, although there has been some speculation that it could see either the 4-valve 4.6L V-8 or the 3-valve 5.4L V-8. Whichever engine Ford decides to plant under the hood of the 2009 Mustang, one thing is for sure, displacement on demand (DOD) technology will be used. This feature allows the engine to shut off four of the 8 cylinders to improve fuel economy when the engine is lightly loaded. By using the DOD technology, a more aggressive engine tune may be possible which could give the Mustang a potent 325-340hp. All this power will likely be harnessed through a 5 speed gearbox, unless the competition forces Ford to do drop a six-speed in.
Although its expected that the 2009 Mustang will ride on a refined version of the DEW-lite chassis which is currently used in the S197 Mustang, one possible change could be an independent rear suspension in place of the solid rear axle. The Camaro and Challenger are both expected to sport an IRS, so Ford may be forced to follow suit.
The interior of the 2009 Mustang will likely be just as bold as the exterior. Look for improvements such as a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and door panels which will continue to give the Mustang a retro look, yet modern feel. One feature that will surely be dropped from the 2009 Mustang is the My-Color instruments, which allows the color of the instrument panel to be changed to suit the drivers styling needs. This option has proven costly for Ford and removing it should help keep production costs down.
With the Camaro and Challenger hitting the streets in the near future, the 2009 Mustang Concept certainly proves that Ford is not waiting around for the competition to catch up. As we can see, the Mustang once again aims to be a leader and not a follower.
more torque = better launch of a car.
). Obviously, the Germans and Japanese care more about horsepower than torque, so they make smaller, higher-revving engines than Detroit does...but if they felt like it, their engines could easily out-twist their american counterparts. 
I'd like an Evo from that list personally, but the Stang is super nice, especially when you consider the $25,000 base price(GT). If you have a D-Plan, you'll probably be able to get a nice one for that base price. Discounts on Mustangs probably isn't too big yet.
