Bold Moves: 2010 Ford Mustang makes first official appearance at Road America

[David Burkart]

It has been the subject of a plethora of spy photos and spy videos, but on Saturday, the 2010 Ford Mustang made its first public, although camouflaged, appearance. As the staging ground for “Ford Mustang Day,” the Kohler International Challenge in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin was the perfect setting for the public debut of the next model.

The new steed acted as the pace car for the event throughout the weekend. All Mustangs were allowed free entry to the event and took part in a “Mustang Corral” down the straightaway. Other new offerings from Ford paraded the track as well, including the 2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt and a 2009 Ford Fusion.

Ford also allowed attendees to get behind the wheel of their new releases at the Briggs & Stratton track inside the Road America track. Included in this bunch were the 2009 Flex, Escape, Edge, Fusion, and Focus coupe.

“One of the key components of our program is to meet our customers face-to-face, and the Kohler International Challenge provides an excellent opportunity for Ford to interact with a group of dedicated, knowledgeable enthusiasts,” said Robert Parker, Car Marketing manager, Ford Division. “Road America and the vintage weekend provides an opportunity for customers to get behind the wheel and for Ford to show off our new product line, while still highlighting the fact Ford has been involved in racing since the inception of our company more than a century ago.”

Off-track, enthusiasts enjoyed other spectacles on display, including the Mustang GTP car that came out on top in the race 25 years ago. At the time of its inception, the vehicle was part of the new Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) program at Ford.

Throughout the event, enthusiasts could also enter to win a Ford GT hot lap every hour or even purchase a lap for a $50 charitable donation to Wisconsin Multiple Sclerosis Society of the Vince Lombardi Titletown Champions foundation.

The event concluded with the entrance of four Shelby Cobras to the Historic Grand Prix, the first time Shelby Autos has entered racing with Ford since 1968.

For more photos of the event from Ford, check out the reply below.

[Source] Media.Ford.com

[David Burkart]

Check out the thumbnails below. Enjoy.

[Photo Credit] Media.Ford.com:

[65black]

Here's some closer look's of the 2010 from this last saturday..

[roush427R]

WOW thanks for snappin those photos 65. That might be the closest up I've ever seen of the 2010...how'd you get that close to it?!? Cant believe they let you...very cool. Thanks again

[65black]

A good friend of mine had a ride in it!! When we did the promotional filming (2 laps around the track I was standing next to it, so snap went the shutter..)

[2007GTCS]

I hate to say it, but I don't like it at all. It looks like they are using (too much of) the Giugiaro Mustang concept car.

(In my opinion), I think they should have gone (even) more retro like (dare I say it?) the Camaro and Challenger. (When I see those cars, I can actually picture their vintage predecessors in my head. When I see this new Mustang, I can only picture the illegitimate child of a Mustang II and 1999 Mustang.)

I'm going to have a hard (impossible) time trading mine in for this new model, I'm afraid it's going to look too modern.

But they still use the old window mounted truck mirrors???? Move the mount down on the door and use a (completely) painted mirror like the 69-73 Mach One's...

The new headlight opening looks terrible (along with the angle of the pillar between the headlight and grille opening), why not go with the twin headlight style like the 69's, just make them low and meaner looking, and have a front fascia more like the current GT500.

I didn't like the fake scoop on the rear fenders of the 69's (if it doesn't work, I don't want it on my car), but I like the smooth bulge (in the hips) on the rear fender of the 70's. Add the 1970's rear fender and a lip on the deck lid which would look great without a spoiler, but it you choose to add one, it could be like the (adjustable) 69-73 Mach One's. I just designed the 2015 Mustang for Ford, so if you're (Ford) listening just ask me and I will tell you where to send the check.

Even with the higher output engine, the looks of this car will make me run like a Frenchmen from a cap-gun....

Ford has so much to build from if they just went back to their roots... They did an unbelievable job on the new GT(40). Why couldn't they just follow the same concept here?

(I will get off my soap box now, thank you for your time.)