Jalopnik Snap Judgment: The dash actually looks pretty good — a helluva lot better than what we've come to expect from late-model Mustangs. We'll have to see it in person, but so far, we're digging it.

SALEEN INCORPORATED REVEALS LIMITED EDITION “DARK HORSE” VEHICLE

It has been an incredible year for Saleen, Inc, America’s premiere niche vehicle manufacturer, with the elite 25th Anniversary Sterling Signature Edition, the unveiling of the S5S Raptor at the New York Auto Show, production of the Dan Gurney Edition, release of the Racecraft brand and the much anticipated reveal of the 2009 Dark Horse Extreme Edition. With a limited production of 25 coupes being built, this has become a classic round up of high end performance at Saleen.

The Product
The Dark Horse provides 620HP with 600 ft.-lbs of torque with Speedlab SuperShaker option supplying exclusive styling while enhancing performance. “The vehicle takes advantage of the ram effect into the SuperShaker air box,” states Dan Agnew, Powertrain Engineering Manager, “It increases pressure in the air box, which adds boost by 0.5 psi and holds air charge temperature relatively constant even with the higher boost.”

Styling
This 25 unit special run combines the power and handling of the Saleen Extreme and the exclusive Heritage body style with interior and exterior cues found only in the “Dark Horse”. The elite Flat Black Exterior graphics and identification, Saleen serialized engine plaque, Navigation System and sport leather seating with Alcantara inserts adds to the exquisite style of this limited edition vehicle.

Content
“The Dark Horse provides the capability of extreme horsepower and provides the detailed look our customers expect. By merging the Super Shaker with the Extreme powertrain we have created a no compromise solution for people looking for both performance and classic Mustang looks,” states Marc Musial, Chief Powertrain Engineer.

The Dark Horse includes:

* Saleen Port Matched Series VI Integrated Screw type supercharger
* Forged aluminum pistons
* Forged steel connecting rods
* Forged steel crankshaft

The composition of the Dark Horse provides the most intense Saleen ride yet.

Production
The production of the Dark Horse begins November 2008.

[MustangBlog]

The vinyl top looks fairly recent, so most likely this car is undergoing one of those very slow restorations and being used as a driver in the meantime. Perhaps it will become a trailer queen once the project is done, but for now it shares the road with Tauruses and Sentras.


The GT option package got you a 289 V8, disc brakes (which were still quite exotic for a Detroit car at the time), fog lights, and stripes. The most powerful engine option was a 4-barrel 289 with 10:1 compression, good for 271 horsepower. The 2,690-pound '65 Nova could be had with a 300-horse 327, giving the Chevy a slightly better power-to-weight ratio than the 2,465-pound Mustang.

The new-style headlights tucked deeply into the sharply angled curve portray the nose we were expecting and, in profile, the beltline has a kink that is reminiscent of the 1967 Mustang convertible. The revised steering wheel conforms to what we've seen and the GT badge isn't much of a surprise. The new GT wheels carry over the classic 'stang five-spoke design but add a deep well and more effects along the edge. Stay tuned to Jalopnik as this slow and painful Bataan Mustang death march continues until the LA Auto Show in November.

[Source: Ford]

We just got a new look inside the 2010 Mustang, and this prototype's dash was completely uncovered and uncamouflaged. This is the first time we've gotten a truly clean and unencumbered look at the new 'Stang's redesigned interior. The new dash design appears to utilize a number of the current Mustang's parts to save cost, but the main dash face, the center console, gauge-package, and steering wheel have all been restyled to give a more refined, upscale look while maintaining the simple, retro feel.

But the cosmetics are still what makes this one-off car something special. Ford's turned this $80,000 Shelby into KITT thanks to a sweet-looking black-on-black paint job, the addition of 20" Shelby "Super Snake" wheels, 90% tinted windows all-around and of course, the Auto Indulgence 15" LED "Knight Rider" security scanner lightbar. Sure, it's all stuff you can buy off the rack — but when combined together, it makes this "King of the Road" look bad-ass.

But what's great about this customized Shelby is when the novelty of cruising around in KITT wears out, and you've turned the lightbar off, you remember you're still driving a Shelby GT500KR. That said, there's now even greater incentive to pull to a stop, shift into first and floor it. Because when you do, your world shrinks into a tunnel of motion with only a pinpoint of clarity ahead, wild-eyed narration provided by an unnatural banshee wail emanating from the supercharger. You watch, almost from outside of your body, as time dilates and you are no longer subject to the rules of physics. You feel as though this motor will pull the stars from their places in the heavens. And then the rev limiter brings it all back to reality.

A sideways grin spread across my face as my autonomic nervous system registers how close I just came to some form of fiery death. The manic rush, instead of acting like a deterrent, plays a powerful stimulant, and you do it again, and again, and again.

That's because the GT500KR is a much better car than its predecessor, the Mustang GT500. The GT500 is a mean and nasty car, operating at the limits of the chassis — it's twitchy, overpowered and hard to live with. Driving it always makes you feel like you're toeing the line of control, even when toting the groceries. To be perfectly honest, the notion of driving a GT500 with more horsepower was, at the outset, mildly terrifying. But the GT500KR is much more refined — the extra power is met with a much better suspension thanks to upgraded KR-only dampers, springs and shocks. All of it works together to provide a far more confident drive than the GT500. No more skipping across expansion joints at speed on a sweeping freeway corner, only planted, firm and predictable driving over the bumps and potholes of Michigan roads. But, then why the taken-to-the-limits feeling? It's because that added confidence is underscored with the notion that instead of being more controllable, the razors edge has just been raised to a new and more frightening level.

In spite of this knowledge, you smile like any man charming a Cobra; resigned to the danger, but addicted to the exhilaration of it. It doesn't matter if the car handles incredibly well for a solid axle design on a heavy car with monster mill, it doesn't matter if the interior has no upgrades over a standard 'Stang, it doesn't matter that the windows are tinted so dark you strain to see headlights in the night because none of that changes the mechanical the wail of obscenities the supercharger hurls at you as it takes over your world.

People point. They stare. The silent back and forth sweep of the red light draws the questions of curious passers-by. Camera phones are wielded, friends are called over and disbelief removed. But in the face of the crushing power of this car, the tight hold that childhood memories maintain over the aura of KITT shrink, and become insignificant as you pull runs — again, and again, and again. The show may be in need of some "Turbo Boost," but this GT500KR has all the boost we need.

Photo Credit: Alex C. Conley

Mustang enthusiasts,

The time has come to start talking about the new Mustang. But, we're not the ones that will be doing the talking!

We want to hear your stories, because we all have a story to tell about Mustang. What is yours?

Today, we launched www.the2010mustang.com which will be the home for the official countdown until reveal of the 2010 Mustang. We wanted to give you a first look at the website to help spread the news to Mustang Nation and the millions of enthusiasts that are waiting on the edge of their seats for any news about the new pony car.

The "Mustang Stories" contest begins on August 27th, so for now you just get a teaser of what's to come, but use the time wisely to think about your favorite Mustang story and be sure to come back and submit it for a chance to win your own 2010 Mustang.

Don't forget to also keep up-to-date on the latest Mustang news, including racing results, at: http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/mustang/

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.

[Source: Ford]

Last month, one of our photographers caught a 2010 Mustang Convertible, and now - another one of our sharp-shooters photographed what appears to be the 2010 GT (coupe).

Sources are telling us to expect 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 - like the last one we saw - was completely covered up to conceal any and all changes.

This cloaked prototype, with dual exhaust - appears to be the GT model. Without going into too much speculation - it appears to be sporting GT500 tires and wheels...
Look for production on the revamped Pony car to begin in early 2009 - with sales starting sometime during the first quarter of the year.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company