Rarely do the words "tasteful" and "Mustang" go together. There's just something about America's pony car that brings out the worst of the aftermarket.
Thankfully, the new Mustang RTR is not one of those instances. Factory Ford drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. saw the gaping hole in the market for a modified Mustang that didn't look like it crashed into an Autozone and created the Mustang RTR.
The mechanical upgrades are mild. A cold air intake, new mufflers and a set of cross drilled Baer brakes are the biggies. There's also a set of 19-inch wheels with Falken FK452 tires and new springs that lower the car an inch and a half.
On the cosmetic side, the Mustang RTR gets a full aero upgrade that includes a deep front splitter, rear diffuser, revised sills and a mild aluminum spoiler. The interior changes are limited to adding the "RTR" logo to various parts like the floormats, shifter and speedometer.
The Mustang RTR will be available through any Ford dealer starting in February of next year for $7,800.
arumage says:
08:58 AM, 11/ 2/09
Not a huge fan of the front of the body kit. It looks like it could serve double duty as a snow plow. The rest is nice though.
compliance says:
09:02 AM, 11/ 2/09
I assume the RTR package will be an additional $7800, not the whole car.
Nothing with that splitter can be considered tasteful, but after it gets bashed in and falls off in about two weeks, maybe. I like the stripes on the sides, but hate black rims.
f1ndler says:
10:03 AM, 11/ 2/09
A kid asks his dad.
(Kid) Dad, why does Ford keep coming up with the new version of Mustang all the time?
(Dad) This is because they screwed up with all the previous versions, son?
greenpony says:
10:09 AM, 11/ 2/09
$7,800 for an appearance package (mostly) is a little much for me.
estreka says:
11:41 AM, 11/ 2/09
That front lip has lots of "curb" appeal. I do like the heritage draw from the old SVT Cobras.
hondacura4 says:
04:40 PM, 11/ 2/09
Love the refreshed Mustang but I still have a few issues:
- Live rear axle
- Retro gauges are small and cheesy
- The GT deserves a direct injected VVT 5.0L DOHC V8 w/ 400hp/370tq and a 6AT/6MT
- The base deserves a VVT 3.5L DOHC 280-300hp/249tq and 6AT/6MT
- Rear styling is not aggressive.
inlinesix says:
10:14 PM, 11/ 2/09
The RTR looks pretty damn good.
My question is how is this still part of the equation at Ford in 2009/10:
210 HP 4.0L V6 in the 2010 Mustang-18 to 26 mpg (3,400lb car)
332 HP 3.7L V6 in the 2010 Nissan 370Z-18 to 25 mpg (3,400lb car)
...and the 4.6L Mustang gets 16 to 24mpg with 315 HP
greenpony says:
10:17 AM, 11/ 3/09
hondacura4, while I generally agree with you on most of your points, the live axle is lighter and cheaper than an IRS setup... and by most accounts Ford has done a great job tuning out the live axle's typical behavior.