For 2010, Ford’s taken the old Mustang and bolted on nicer suspension, a new intake and exhaust, given it a more svelte body, a nicer interior and called it day. ROUSH has taken a slightly more aggressive approach, adding huge amounts of power, heart-stopping brakes and the blackest black-on-black paint scheme ever. But it’s the suspension that really makes a difference.

Cruising down I-94 at paralegal speeds, we slide over to the interchange onto I-696. The little yellow sign warns us to knock it down to 35 MPH, but everyone knows those are simply warnings. We toss the car into the left handed banked sweeper, but I get an immediate pucker-moment and my heart jumps into my throat. My sense of speed must have been off, we're rocketing around the embankment with the g-forces doing their best to pull our faces clean off. Surely, we've overcooked the turn and my time on this cruel planet is over. Can someone remember to feed my goldfish? But wait, nothing bad happened. No tire squeal, no crunch and I'm not eating dirt through the convertible top. The Blackjack took what seemed like a kamikaze corner without even sweating. Maybe Blackjack is code for black magic, as there is seriously some kind of witchcraft going on in the undercarriage. What seemed liked a simple spring/strut/swaybar hop-up package actually acted as a total revamp of the pony car's driving dynamics.

The ROUSH Mustang Blackjack is no mere sticker-and-fiberglass-only pretty kit. The engine is a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 producing 430 HP. The Stage 3 suspension, available on the entire line-up of ROUSH Mustangs, is a complete replacement, including reimagined struts, much tougher and lower springs, gigantic swaybars front and rear and a wheel-hop elimination kit. The brakes are a lesson in pure ridiculousness: the fronts are two-piece 14" rotors and four-pot calipers with a smaller slotted rotor and pad upgrade in the rear. The tires are absolutely massive BFG KDs, rivaling the rubber fitted to the 2008 Dodge Viper in both size and composition. The exterior is fitted with a seven-piece body kit and a mile-wide flat black racing stripe. The interior is the only place we find to be gravely lacking compared to the 2010 Mustang - The Blackjack only received some minor suede inserts and a shiny dash appliqué. For $62,000, we would've liked to see some grippier sport seating, as we flew into the center console and door panels many a time. The gun-bolt-like shifter was one of the best we've ever had the pleasure of rowing through, albeit a bit too tall.

The proof of this laundry list of go-fast parts comes in the driving experience. It's easy to sit street side and bullshit about who's got the bigger supercharger or the suedeist seats, but it is on the pavement where the Autozone customs are separated from the engineering masterpieces. Where the 2010 Mustang GT has picked up a couple of extra horses, a solid suspension upgrade and a cabin that doesn't make you bleed from the ears, it's still just an improved version of an aging chassis. For the Blackjack, this goes double. There are certain things you can't easily ignore, like the improperly geared 5-speed, far too soft clutch, portly sheetmetal and Fisher Price interior. Although these shortcomings can be remedied with cubic dollars, the price tag would be shot right past the already shocking $62,000 entry fee. If you're looking to buy your way into exclusivity, there are only 100 Blackjacks slated to be sold, so you've got the 2010 GT on that front.

The question you ask yourself is, "Do I really need 430 HP and a track-ready suspension in a silly, old chassis?" The answer is a resounding yes. This obscene ride is what American tuning is all about: Take a slightly apt set of wheels, remove all of the fluff while saving cost on the bits that don't make you go any faster and set it forth to destroy some namby-pamby ricer ass. Although there are some aspects we'd change in the pursuit of greater and greater speed, it's nothing the common enthusiast wouldn't be capable of taking care of himself in his own driveway. So if ridiculous is your middle name, the Blackjack may be the car for you.

Photo Credit: Alex C. Conley

The powerplant of this titan only visually resembles the stock three-valve found in the Mustang GT. This mill holds a completely forged rotating assembly, including new pistons, H-beam connecting rods and crankshaft. A new clutch and an ECM specifically tailored to this combination keeps everything in control and transmitting torque to the pavement.

Six-piston brakes bring the whole thing to a slamming halt from 60 faster than Ford can release another version of the 'Stang. And that's fast. A ROUSH Stage 3 suspension keeps the whole ordeal firmly planted on the tarmac whether you're cruising this Hoonfather around your favorite race track or hitting the local drags. For tires, the P-51B rocks the stickiest of the icky: Cooper RS3's.

This package seems spectacular until you get to the hefty recommended price tag of $65,800, which includes your destination charge and gas guzzler tax. At this price point, one could purchase a 2008 Corvette Z06, Porsche Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 or a Lotus Exige S 240. Just sayin'.

However, as far as Mustang customs go, you'll be hard pressed to find many more capable unless you're willing to play in the arena of the super snakes from Shelby.

Here it is fan-boys, this is a photo we've waited patiently to see for what seems like an eternity. This photo of the threesome of new muscle cars from Detroit is the first time the 2010 Chevy Camaro RS, a 2009 Ford Mustang CS and a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 have all been captured in the same photo. Yes, we traveled a great distance, risked a great deal and received quite a mouthful from one snarling PR person in order to bring you this first shot of the trio. Although well worth it, at least one staffer on site wasn't as happy to have a picture of Chevy's new muscle car taken as we'd hoped he would be. Whatever. Credit Ford and Dodge for being pleased as punch to welcome back the Camaro to the muscle car war block in the best way they know how — by letting us rev the engines of their latest entries hard outside San Diego's Hard Rock Hotel. They would have preferred to do a burnout, but there were too many law enforcement officers around. Check back later on tonight for the full story, complete with video as we show just how hot these muscle car wars are getting! Many thanks to the Craig from Streetfire, Garage419 and Ned Hepburn!

ROUSH® STAGE 3™ SUSPENSION AVAILABLE TO ALL MUSTANG OWNERS WHO WANT TO PULL Gs

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 31, 2008) - One of the things that sets the ROUSH®
Stage 3™ Mustang apart from the competition is the road-hugging,
highly-tuned suspension package. Previously, this vaunted suspension
package was only available as part of a ROUSH Stage 3 vehicle build, but
now anyone with a 2005 to 2009 Ford Mustang can feel what a 1G lateral
skid pad rating can give you on the daily drive.

Developed by some of the top chassis engineers in the industry, the
ROUSH Stage 3 Suspension Package is the result of hundreds of hours of
testing and thousands of miles on both the street and racetracks across
the country. Tests, including slalom, lane change, skid pad, and were
performed on a wide variety of road surfaces to provide the best
combination of ride comfort and road handling. Data was captured and
evaluated using a DIVAS Data Acquisition System, the same equipment used
by the Ford vehicle engineers. Overall, it took more than six months of
non-stop research and development to create one of the finest
suspensions available today.

The complete kit includes springs, dampers, jounce bumpers and
anti-roll bars which work together in harmony and provide optimum
performance on the street or track. The suggested retail is $1,499.00
(part number 401761), and when installed will lower the car
approximately one inch for a more aggressive stance. All instructions
and necessary OEM-grade hardware is included.

The front anti-roll bar is more than 45 percent stiffer than the stock
unit and is a solid material, unlike most others on the market which are
hollow. This helps to significantly reduce body roll, and ROUSH takes
the additional step to forge and machine the bar ends so that all the
joints are parallel and surfaces match for joint integrity. The rear
anti-sway bar is also solid and is heavier to help balance the vehicle
and remove some of the understeer that is a characteristic of the
Mustang.

The twin-tube shocks have a unique valving and will keep the maximum
tire contact patch on the ground, even while driving over uneven
terrain. They were developed in part with an advanced 7-post shaker rig
like many of the NASCAR teams now utilize to hone their chassis setups.
Like all the metal components in the Stage 3 Suspension Package, the
shocks are powder coated for corrosion resistance. The springs
themselves are cold wound and made from high chrome silicone steel. They
are pre-set so they won't sag.

The ROUSH engineers paid particular attention to the bushings and
jounce bumpers, areas other companies tend to overlook. The bushings,
though stiffer than OEM, are a bit softer than other third-party pieces
which allows for more compliance over low speed bumps. There is a unique
spiral groove cut in the front and rear bushings which helps to keep the
grease in place and quiets the unit. The jounce bumpers were actually
designed to act as a spring assist, and are constructed from an
OEM-quality, micro-cellular material.

"ROUSH has always been known for being the best in powertrain
components, but we also have some of the most knowledgeable chassis
engineers in the auto industry on staff," said Jack Roush. "I
continually challenge them to design suspension pieces that offer
tremendous performance enhancements yet don't make sacrifices when it
comes to ride comfort. With the ROUSH Stage 3 Suspension Package they
have met this challenge, and even exceeded my expectations for what a
performance enthusiast would want on his Mustang."

The Stage 3 Suspension Kit works with any type of wheel combinations,
but for optimum performance it is suggested that the ROUSH RR03 forged
wheels (part number 402422) and ROUSHcharger™ be utilized as well. The
suspension was specifically designed with the weight of these components
in mind.

ONE-OF-A-KIND MUSTANG AV8R TO BENEFIT YOUTH PROGRAM AT WORLD-FAMOUS AIRVENTURE 2008

DEARBORN, Mich., July 23, 2008 - The numbers tied to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh are impressive, if not overwhelming - but there's one statistic especially worth eyeing.

Some 2,500 show aircraft and 650,000 visitors are expected at this year's meet, which runs from Monday - Aug. 3. An estimated 10,000 airplanes are expected to fly in to the airport in east-central Wisconsin. And here's the kicker: The event will feature one cool Ford Mustang.

A special one-of-a-kind AirVenture Mustang, the Mustang AV8R, will be unveiled on Sunday. The classic American car was named after the famous P-51 Mustang fighter, which played a key role in World War II as a bomber escort. Several P-51s are slated to be at Oshkosh, according to the show's web site, www.airventure.org.

The team at Ford Racing helped develop the aviation-inspired Mustang AV8R. Special features on the 2009 Mustang GT include a glass roof, which is a new option on Mustangs this year; special front and rear fascias; integrated spoiler; and Shelby GT500 wheels. Ford Racing's contributions include a handling pack (dampers, lowering springs, anti-roll bar kit and strut tower brace), supercharger and tuned exhaust that will generate 400 horsepower from the aluminum block 4.6-liter, 24-valve V-8 engine.

The Mustang AV8R is painted in Satin Silver matte paint with Black Gloss accents. The interior features distressed "bomber jacket" leather inserts and trim panels along with a "Bullitt" aluminum instrument panel appliqué and shift knob. It also has an appliqué autograph area for the aviation legends and notable enthusiasts scheduled to be in attendance, who include Edsel B. Ford II, Chuck Yeager, Jack Roush, Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Morgan Freeman and Jim Lovell.

Douglas Gaffka, the chief designer for the Mustang, took a restrained, modern approach for the Mustang AV8R.

"We chose anodized silver for the body sides and high-gloss black for the hood, which flows through the glass roof - it was almost like having a canopy," Gaffka said. "We also embedded the Air Force star in the glass."

Collectors can bid on the car. Perspective owners should contact Matt Miller at 1-800-236-1025 for details about the July 31 auction. Auction proceeds will benefit the EAA's Gathering of Eagles program, which helps provide scholarships for young people interested in aviation careers.

Donating the Mustang AV8R is the latest example of Ford's continuing commitment to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Last year, Ford donated two tickets to the finals of "American Idol," which sold for $16,500. Ford and Shelby Automobiles donated a Mustang Shelby GT-H in 2006, which sold for $250,000.

"The Mustang AV8R is the latest commitment from Ford in support of EAA's effort to build the future of aviation," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president. "This stunning, one-of-a-kind automobile will be a very special addition to our Gathering of Eagles fund-raiser, which supports EAA's aviation education and preservation work throughout the year."

More likely they know, probably from people drooling over 2010 Ford Mustang headlight shots, that it isn't going to sell as well as this past year. So rather than produce a ton of cars they're going to have to discount like day-old bagels priced to move after the introduction of the new Mustang they're instead going to try and actually satisfy perceived market demand. That would be a nice change.

Of course another possibility could be the need to re-tool the production lines to get ready for the 2010 model year. Either way we're speculating, because who knows what really lurks in the minds of Ford's crack team of product planners. And by crack, we're pretty sure we mean the drug. But again, who knows? [The Mustang Source via AutoBlog]

This particular model is one of the glass roof Mustangs, which let in all that natural light. If you look at the interior pic you'll also notice "Mustang" printed on the previously mentioned deluxe cloth seats. Say it with us — Deeeeeeluxe! (Hat tip to James!)

We all expecting a mid-cycle facelift for the 2010 model year, but by the looks of this heavily camouflaged prototype - the 2010 Mustang will be sporting an all-new front and rear fascia - including grille, headlamps and taillights! In addition, the interior will also be updated - although this prototype's interior was also heavily covered and we couldn't get any clues.

Our shooter stumbled upon this prototype when he made a wrong turn in ...well, that doesn't matter ... but he found this while making a U-turn (which explains the lack of sharpness in some of the photos). Sharp or not - Mustang enthusiasts will examine every inch of these photos!!

...yet another SE from Dearborn next year for the '09 model year. Apparently the chatter is we'll potentially be seeing a Diamond-flavored special 'stang — specifically, a Mach 1 Mustang. Even more specific might be a Bond Mustang Mach 1 modeled after the "Diamonds Are Forever" Mustang. Another guess is a Boss 'stang, but the folks at ME seem pretty hard up on the D.A.F. Mach 1. We guess we'll just have to wait and see. [via Mustang Evolution]