Ford Mustang Coupe

'America's favorite pony car' gets some more modern upgrades for 2008 while remaining unabashedly old-school in other respects (mainly its live rear axle, but rear-wheel drive and that V8 soundtrack are hard to ignore). The 2008 model year sees front-seat side airbags as standard equipment with HID headlights and optional interior ambient lighting as options, and there are three new exterior color options. On the V6 coupe, 18-inch wheels are optional as is a limited-edition Warriors in Pink Package in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It features unique pink exterior and interior design accents.

The ambient lighting option goes well with what the Mustang has offered in years past, namely a choice of 125 different color backgrounds for the instrument panel, even if you only get seven with the former.

Trims include V-6 Deluxe, V-6 Premium, GT Deluxe and GT Premium. On the GT Premium model, a California Special package is available that includes 18-inch wheels, side scoops, unique tape stripes, rolled bright exhaust tips, black leather trimmed seats with unique 'Cal Special' contrasting Dove or Parchment leather inserts, a larger air intake, a chin spoiler (1.5 inches lower than GT), and unique front and rear fascias. Then there is an appearance package available for the Mustang GT featuring rolled exhaust tips, an engine cover with a Pony emblem and a hood scoop. The Shelby GT (nee GT-H, but close) is also part of the line-up, albeit with slightly more power (320hp) and other performance goodies.

Engines include a 4.0 liter V6 that's made in Germany and good for 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 240 lb-ft @ 3,500 lb-ft. Purists will opt for the 4.6 liter V8 that makes the Mustang experience authentic thanks largely to its 300 hp (at 5,750 rpm) output and 320 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Five-speed manual transmissions unique to each engine are standard, with a five-speed auto optional on each.

To reign in all those ponies, twin-piston aluminum calipers clamp down on 12.4-inch ventilated front brake discs on GT models. The rear brake rotors are 11.8 inches in diameter on all Mustangs. A four-channel anti-lock brake system with traction control is standard on GT models and available on V-6 models.

A special-edition Mustang Bullitt honoring Steve McQueen's antics in the 1968 flick of the same name is part of the Mustang range, as is a new Glass Top variant.