The 2009 Mustang, available as a coupe and convertible, is a carryover design from 2008. 2009 marks the last year before a 2010 redesign, which will be the first since the Mustang gained its retro look back in 2005.
The base engine for the Mustang is a 4-liter V6 that puts out 210 horsepower and 240 pound feet of torque. The Mustang GT is powered by Ford's 4.6 liter V8 that generates 300 horsepower and 320 pound feet of torque, thanks in part to variable-valve timing with three valves per cylinder. The Mustang sends power to the rear wheels via a Tremec 5 speed manual transmission. A five speed automatic is optional. Like all Mustangs, the GT is equipped with McPherson Struts up front, coil springs in back, four wheel disc brakes and power rack and pinion steering. The GT adds a stabilizer bar in the rear.
Fuel economy for the Mustang ranges from 15 miles per gallon city, up to 26 miles per gallon highway.
The GT Deluxe trim comes standard with fog lamps, 17" painted cast aluminum wheels with performance all-season tires and a rear deck spoiler.
The GT Premium adds 18" aluminum wheels, leather surfaced sport bucket seats and a Shaker 500 audio system.
All of the new Mustangs have a nostalgic profile that borrows heavily from several years of Mustangs from the 1960's. The large grill and singular round headlights are reflective of the 1967-1969 Mustangs while the triangular rear quarter windows are a direct reference to the 1966 Shelby GT350 Mustangs. You'll feel the retro flavor of early Mustangs in the cabin where the dual-hooded dash and large diameter speedometer and tachometer look tastefully vintage without looking dated. Even the typestyle used for the numbers is purposely old school.
Base MSRP for the 2009 Ford Mustang is $20,430. A fully loaded Mustang GT Convertible will top out at just under $40,000. The Mustang is backed by a 5-year/ 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
There's no debate that the new Mustangs are almost as big a hit as their 1964 and a half ancestor, which single-handedly created a whole new genre of "personal" automobiles. For 2009 Ford continues to grow the Mustang herd as it did so successfully over 40 years ago, offering a Mustang for just about any taste...whether mild...or wild.