As anticipation grows for the official announcement from Ford at the L.A. Auto Show about the 2011 Ford Mustang powertrain lineup, other model year details are starting to leak out.  In a recent fleet distribution news bulletin we have learned order banks open for the 2011 Mustang on January 18, 2010 and JOB 1 will be March 15, 2010.

The most important details to leak out on the 2011 model year were found while searching through the order bank computer and they include the return of the 402A Package which is the California Special (GT/CS) model and a Shelby Convertible was listed showing the 5.4-liter Supercharged 4V V-8 as the engine choice.  An SVT Performance Package (option 67F) was listed which includes 19-inch wheels, RR spoiler with GF (not sure what GF stands for), Over The Top (OTT) stripe delete and 3.73 limited slip.  The SVT Package is most likely for a Shelby model.  There is also a Brembo Brake Package (option 55D), 6-speed automatic transmission option and three different 19-inch tire options listed. 

Highlights:

• California Special (GT/CS) Returns (Package 402A)
• SVT Performance Package (Option 67F)
• Brembo Brake Package (Option 55D)
• 6-speed Automatic Transmission available
• (3) – 19-inch tire options available
• Order Banks open January 18, 2010
• JOB 1 begins March 15, 2010

Source: GMinsidenews.com

“In this 40th-year celebration of man walking on the moon, what an honor to have Buzz Aldrin circle the ‘Championship Track’ in a 1969 Ford Mustang,” Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray said in a news release. “Buzz is an American hero, and his presence at Homestead-Miami will serve as a deserving tribute to the history he and NASA made 40 years ago this year.”

Festivities begin at Coke Zero RaceFest this Thursday evening, as the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and NASA will bring the moon to the fans with a special interactive display celebrating the 40th anniversary of the moon landing–including an opportunity to touch an actual moon rock and meet veteran space shuttle astronaut Jon McBride, pilot for STS-41G aboard the Orbiter Challenger.

The Special Vehicle Team Owners Association (SVTOA), the official enthusiast club for fans of Ford SVT-produced vehicles, has adopted a new logo to coincide with the announcement of a new mailing address and a retooled business direction for the Michigan-based performance car club.

The new SVTOA logo should look quite familiar to followers of the SVT brand. That’s because it closely mirrors Ford’s own original SVT logo, incorporating the same “winding road” graphic that the niche group eventually replaced with the famed Ford oval.

“By adopting such recognizable elements in our new club logo, we’re demonstrating exactly what differentiates the SVTOA from all the other clubs out there, and that is our unique ties to former staffers and engineers of the Ford Special Vehicle Team,” explained Marcie Cipriani, SVTOA Business Director.

Ms. Cipriani secured Ford Brand Licensing approval for the new logo after discovering that many SVT vehicle owners associated the club’s longstanding checkered flag-themed logo with previous now-defunct iterations of the Ford-founded club, as well as its once-singular focus on road racing and on-track performance driving events.

Just 18 months after securing an exclusive Ford license to operate the SVTOA as an independent, private organization, club directors have now broadened the scope of the SVTOA to include all aspects of the enthusiast hobby – from providing historical information in its critically acclaimed club magazine SVT Enthusiast, to supporting car shows, cruises and now drag racing events, as well as those traditional track outings.

“There are some 200,000 owners of SVT-produced vehicles out there, and we think the SVTOA’s new direction, as personified by the new logo, will help us connect to them in a valuable way,” said Jayson Demchak, SVTOA Membership Director. “We’re in the process of re-chartering our regional chapters who still use previous versions of the SVTOA logo so that we can help them retain the use of these highly recognizable Ford trademarks.”

To better serve its growing membership base, the SVTOA has also moved its National Headquarters address to: 18524 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 – into offices next door to its previous location, and without the stigma of a “Box” number. The club’s website (www.SVTOA.com), email address (membership@SVTOA.com), and Fax phone number (313-885-3124), all stay the same.

“We applaud the SVTOA’s efforts to expand its membership appeal to the legions of SVT owners and fans,” said John Clor of Ford Racing’s Ford Performance Group. “As a charter club promoted on www.FordPerformance.com, we look forward to supporting the SVTOA’s work connecting with owners of all the great vehicles that SVT has produced.”

Club directors say the new logo, address and attitude are just the first steps in helping the SVTOA grow to international prominence in the enthusiast community. To that end, look for news about the “SVT SuperFest” 2010 National Convention that the SVTOA is planning in conjunction with other SVT-based clubs. For now, expect to see the new SVTOA logo on some cool, new apparel offered at www.SVTOAstore.com, just in time for Christmas!

For the next season of NMRA competition Roush Performance will be building two propane-fueled Mustangs to compete.  The first one being developed is a 2005 Roush Stage 3 Mustang that will be driven by Donnie Bowles with testing going this month.  The second one is a 2010 Roush Stage 3 Mustang which will be driven by Susan Roush-McClenaghan, Jack Roush’s daughter.  Both propane-fueled Mustangs will use a naturaly aspirated all-aluminum 5.4-liter V-8 that was originally designed for the Ford GT.

For more on these propane-fueled Mustangs check out the press release below.Press Release:

Jack Roush is highly recognized for generating horsepower and performance out of engines. Roush also has a long and successful motorsports history with the first of his numerous championships coming in drag racing. And today, Roush is finding great success in engineering, building and selling alternative fuel vehicles to the fleet markets.

So what do you get when you combine all three of these things? A pair of propane-fueled ROUSH® Mustang drag cars, ready to challenge for the NMRA championship next season.

The drag cars are an offshoot of the kits that ROUSH® Performance uses to convert gasoline-powered Ford pickups and vans to run on clean-burning propane. As a leader in the development of green technologies for the automotive industry, Roush sees several benefits in using propane as a “right here, right now” alternative fuel; he cites facts such as propane is the third most popular motor fuel (behind gasoline and diesel), and there are already more than 12 million propane-fueled vehicles on roads across the world.

On the topic of propane, Roush said, “It’s as American as NASCAR. More than 90 percent of the propane used in the United States is produced in North America, much of it from the U.S. natural gas supply. Propane has so many positive aspects and it is finally getting the recognition it deserves as an alternative fuel. Propane can help to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Propane can help to clean up our environment. And propane can help to create new ‘Green Collar Jobs’ for displaced auto workers who can return to the lines to build alternative fuel vehicles.”

And as a green fuel, on average propane fleet vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent and create 20 percent fewer nitrogen oxides, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, and fewer particulate emissions, as compared to gasoline. From an economic standpoint, propane used as a motor fuel can be purchased for about one dollar per gallon with applicable federal incentives.

But, one advantage that propane has, especially in a drag racing application, is that it has an octane rating of 106 (premium unleaded is typically around 93 octane). The first car being developed is a 2005 ROUSH® Stage 3™ Mustang which will be driven by Donnie Bowles and expected to be testing in mid-November. The ROUSH® engineering team is also building a 2010 ROUSH® Stage 3™ Mustang for Susan Roush-McClenaghan which should debut in February. This is Roush’s daughter who is adding the next chapters to her father’s legendary history in drag racing.

McClenaghan finished third in the NMRA Modular Muscle class this year, with Bowles one place higher. In NMCA Open Comp competition, they switched positions with Bowles finishing the season in second and McClenaghan third so both are highly skilled pilots.

Both cars will use an all-aluminum 5.4L, V-8 Ford engine that was originally designed for the Ford GT supercar. This engine will be converted to be naturally-aspirated, the compression ratio will be altered to 12.5:1, and several other changes will be required to run on liquid propane. These include CNC ported cylinder heads, high performance camshaft and valvetrain, and a wet sump lubrication system. All these changes should help this engine generate in excess of 600 horsepower.

Despite popular misconceptions, propane is actually very safe to use as a motor fuel and has a significantly lower flammability than gasoline. It is also good in cool or hot weather making it ideal for motorsports applications.

Bowles car will be on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas from November 3-5. It can be seen outside at the Cruisin’ Legends lot with the Ford Mustang corral.

Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles are designed, manufactured and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH. Follow us on Twitter @_ROUSH_ or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/roushperformance

The 2010 Roush 540H Mustang is being hailed as the ultimate sleeper Mustang with an unsuspecting 540 horses under the hood.  With an almost completely stock appearance the Roush 540H Mustang gives few hints of what kind of power it can unleash.  Roush engineers have recorded a 11.8-second at 121 mph quarter mile time during testing. 

Roush has recently released a few new photos of the 540H Mustang which can be seen after the jump along with more information about the 540H Sleeper Mustang.

 Press Release:

ROUSH’s new 540RH™ Mustang features a 540 horsepower powerplant and has limited content. Also known as the Hammer®, this car comes armed with massive horsepower, a ROUSH® rear decklid spoiler, and short throw shifter with a choice of white or black ball, the 540RH™ is a stoplight slayer.

Proving just how quick this car can be on the optional 18-inch Cooper RS3 tires, ROUSH engineers recorded an 11.8-second elapsed time at 121 mph during testing at Milan (Mich.) Dragway in early September.

“The new ROUSH® 540RH™ is really intended to be a ’sleeper’ car,” Roush explained. “It will be purposely built with minimal content as it was designed for the buyer who wanted the ROUSH® horsepower but with a blank canvas that can be customized into their own personal one-of-a-kind ride.”

The 2010 ROUSH® 540RH™ has a new suspension package which includes front and rear springs, front and rear stabilizer bars and jounce bumper, and a subtle tone-on-tone striping package. This vehicle uses the same engine that debuted in the 2009 ROUSH® P-51B™ Mustang. In order to get this type of power from the Ford 4.6L, 3-valve engine, ROUSH technicians replace many of the internal components with stronger parts including forged aluminum pistons (with an increased dish to lower the compression ratio from 9.8 to 8.6), forged steel H-Beam connecting rods and a forged steel crankshaft. The fuel rails are changed, as are the fuel injectors and an upgraded fuel pump. ROUSH® also upgrades the clutch and includes a custom-calibration for the ECM to manage the performance of the next-generation R2300 ROUSHcharger®.

As is standard with all new ROUSH® Mustangs, this car will come with the anti-wheel hop kit installed during the assembly process. This part (No. 401788) is an outstanding addition to any 2005-2010 Ford Mustang GT.

This vehicle is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and will be available with a manual transmission only.

This is probably one of the most historic Mustangs on the planet as it comes with pages and pages of documentation including a copy of the original bill of sale, reproduction window sticker, original warranty card, original owners manual, copy of original title, complete title history, restoration receipts and a letter from William Clay Ford thanking the previous owner for letting his granddaughter Kate drive away in it after her wedding.

For all the details, history and photos check out the Ebay auction.

The excitement has been building for many months about the 2011 Mustang GT’s new 5.0-liter motor and while nobody has concrete evidence on what actual horsepower numbers will be except Ford Motor Company the rumor machine keeps on chugging.  The latest rumor making the rounds on various Mustang forums comes to us from an October post over on ModularFords.com.  In the post a forum member from a respected Mustang tuner writes how the new 2011 Mustang 5.0-liter “Coyote” motor will produce an advertised 425 horsepower.  He goes on to say the engine actually made 468 horsepower on the dyno and later in the thread he says he has engine part #’s to prove it.

Is this just another of the countless rumors or does this guy actually know something.  It’s to hard to tell because the info is coming from a respected Mustang tuner who might have knowledge of Ford’s newest engines coming down the pipe.  On the other hand why would Ford ever release or let anybody have access to this type of information before they officially let the news out themselves.  Another thought popped into my head and it was so simple, is this just a publicity stunt on the Mustang tuners part to get their name in the news, maybe.  Who really knows is the big question and I say to you nobody knows because Ford is smarter than that.  I guess we will all have to wait three more weeks to find out at the L.A. Auto Show in December.

Also a few other new tidbits of information about the 2011 Mustang is there will be a few new colors, Race Red and Ingot Silver.  These colors were first reported awhile ago on Stangnet but I just came across them so I thought why not post them up.

Source: ModularFords.com

The 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang was unveiled during the SEMA show and for the most part the new exterior design has received overwhelminly high praise under the circumstances.

“Our goal was to create the most visually enticing American sports car ever,” said David Byron, design director at Saleen Performance Vehicles. “Ford provided the perfect launching pad with the 2010 Mustang, which allowed our team to create a car that’s world class and authentically Saleen. We painstakingly toiled over every bend and break in the body and every stitch and fold in the interior.”

The new Saleen S281 uses the 4.6-liter V-8 engine equipped with a Saleen series VI twin-screw supercharger and dual stage intercooler to pump out 485 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.  A new Saleen Racecraft suspension, leather sport seats with Ultra-Suede inserts and 20-inch wheels have been added to the S281. 

All the details, photos and specifications can be found after the jump…

Press Release:

Saleen Performance Vehicles today unveiled the first in its 2010 premiere line of high-performance cars, the 2010 Saleen S281. The introduction took place at the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is the second Saleen vehicle launched this year, following the 2010 435S introduced in August.

The S281, based on the 2010 Ford Mustang, displays a premium level of design consideration, both exterior and interior, with performance to match. It builds on the Saleen tradition of offering limited-edition, high-performance vehicles for enthusiasts who are looking for an exhilarating driving experience, with refined driveability for real-world road conditions.

“For more than 25 years the Saleen name has stood for excellence in design, engineering, and driving dynamics,” said Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen Performance Vehicles. “The new S281 is an excellent example of what those words mean when we craft concepts into real cars. Our team has done a terrific job; I’m proud of them and proud to be offering this car to our customers.”

The S281’s exterior design features carefully crafted sculptural detailing, with lines and forms that flow naturally and suggest suppleness, power and agility. It features an understated yet imposing grille and front fascia, and a refined treatment of the familiar Saleen extended rear fascia and trunk lid with a simple, elegant, integrated wing.

“Our goal was to create the most visually enticing American sports car ever,” said David Byron, design director at Saleen Performance Vehicles. “Ford provided the perfect launching pad with the 2010 Mustang, which allowed our team to create a car that’s world class and authentically Saleen. We painstakingly toiled over every bend and break in the body and every stitch and fold in the interior.”

The S281’s 4.6-liter V8 engine is equipped with a Saleen Series VI.5 twin-screw supercharger and dual-stage intercooler. It produces 485 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a short-throw, five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with 3.73:1 final drive ratio.

The Saleen Racecraft suspension system is new, and includes specially tuned, single-rate front and rear springs; nitrogen-pressurized front struts and rear shocks with a wide range of damping adjustments; and a specially tuned front sway bar with performance pivot bushings.

The interior features new, leather sport seats with Ultra-Suede inserts, highlighted by chevron-like Ultra-Suede red tabs in the seatback bolsters, and unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. There also are contrasting Saleen logos in the door panels, and Saleen logos in the door sill plates that illuminate when the door is opened.

Additional exterior highlights include unique, 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso high-performance tires, and Saleen S281 Supercharged fender badging.

About Saleen Performance Vehicles

Saleen Performance Vehicles is a manufacturer of limited-edition, high-performance cars and trucks, head-quartered in Troy, Michigan. Saleen vehicles embody sophistication in engineering, styling and performance, resulting in a dynamic driving experience that is both exhilarating and refined. Together with its sister companies, Control-Tec LLC, Power-Tec LLC and its subsidiary, Arrow Racing Engines, Saleen encompasses a broad range of capabilities and services in automotive design, development and manufacturing. For more information, please visit the Saleen Performance Vehicles website at www.saleen.com.

2010 Saleen S281 Specifications:

Powertrain:

• 281 cid (4.6L) 3-valve SOHC V8 engine (485 hp@ 6000 rpm, 460 lb. -ft torque @ 4250 rpm)
• Saleen Series VI.5 integrated twin-screw supercharger
• Saleen dual-stage water-to-air intercooler system
• Saleen 39 lb. fuel injectors
• Hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover
• Saleen performance air filter
• 5-speed, short-throw manual transmission
• 8.8-inch limited-slip differential, 3.73:1/3.31:1 final drive (coupe/convertible)
• Saleen Performance Exhaust System with stainless steel chrome tips

optional equipment

• Saleen Performance Cooling Package
• Saleen 3.73 Maxgrip differential

Suspension System

• Saleen Racecraft specific-rate front and rear springs
• Saleen Racecraft nitrogen-pressurized front strut and rear shocks, wide-range adjustable damping
• Saleen Racecraft front sway bar and performance bushings

optional

• Saleen Racecraft front strut tower brace

Braking System

• Power-assisted, 4-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS and traction control (14 in. slotted front rotors with 4-piston calipers)

optional

• 15 in. slotted front rotors with 6-piston calipers, 11.8 in. slotted rear rotors

Wheels and Tires

• Saleen 20-inch, 7-spoke Speed Star silver wheels (20×9 front, 20×10 rear) with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires (275/35ZR20 front, 275/40ZR20 rear)
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Saleen valve stem caps

optional

• Saleen 7-Spoke Speed Star chrome wheels (20×9 front, 20×10 rear)
• Saleen 5-spoke forged chrome wheels (20×9 front, 20×10 rear)
• High-performance Pirelli P-Zero Rosso 305/35ZR20 rear tires

Interior

• Saleen leather sport seats, front and rear, with Ultra-Suede inserts and custom-embroidered head restraints
• Saleen short-throw shifter with leather-wrapped, comfort-grip aluminum shift knob
  Unique, Saleen black-faced gauges, including 200 mph speedometer
• Saleen twin-gauge pod (boost pressure and air inlet temperature)
• Custom center console finish in Piano Black
• Saleen serialized console plaque
• Saleen steering wheel badgev
• Saleen performance pedals
• Saleen leather door inserts
• Saleen S281 custom-embroidered floor mats
• Saleen illuminated door sill plates
• MyColor™ ambient lighting (door pockets, cupholders, footwells)
• Ford SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system
• Shaker 500 audio system with AM/FM stereo, in-dash 6 CD changer, MP3 capability, 8 speakers
• Saleen “Eagle One” detail kit with embroidered Saleen bag
• Saleen key fob
• Saleen owner’s document portfolio and warranty guide

optional

• Saleen S281 custom-embroidered trunk mat

Exterior

• Saleen S281 Supercharged fender badging
• Saleen chevron graphics (color specific to vehicle color)
• Saleen Design Super-Flo hood
  Saleen Design injection-molded front fascia, grille, side skirts, rear fascia, rear diffuser, decklid appliqué, spoiler and end caps
• Saleen championship wreath decal
• Saleen serialized engine bay plaque / bumper number decal
• Saleen body-color mirror caps
• Saleen windshield graphic

optional

• Saleen Design injection-molded quarter window covers

Paint Color Choices

• Black
• Performance White
• Torch Red
• Grabber Blue
• Sterling Grey Metallic
• Brilliant Silver Metallic
• Kona Blue Metallic
• Red Candy Metallic with tinted clearcoat (added cost)
• Sunset Gold Metallic

Optional colors

• Igniter Orange custom factory paint
• Octane Red custom factory paint
• Silver Shield custom factory paint
• Motor City Blue custom factory paint
• Lights Outs Yellow custom factory paint

Safety and Security

• Advance Trac® with Electronic Stability Control®
• Dual-stage front airbags
• Driver/front passenger side-impact airbags
• Driver’s seat position sensor/crash severity sensor
• Remote keyless entry / illuminated entry
• LATCH (Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children) System
• SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system
• SOS post-crash alert system

Dimensions and Capacities

• Vehicle weight 3,401 lb.
• Weight distribution (f/r) 54/46
• Wheelbase 107.1 in.
• Track (f/r) 62.8 in./63.9 in.
• Length 190.1 in.
• Width 73.9 in.
• Height 53.1 in.
• Trunk Space 13.4 cu. ft.
• Fuel Capacity 16 gal.

In the video above four avid Need For Speed gamers take part in Fords Mustang Unleashed campaign where they will race against the clock in both the video game and on the track to see who comes out on top. The gamers played Need for Speed Shift which features the 2010 Ford Mustang and logged their best times. Then the four gamers got a chance to race a real 2010 Mustang GT around the Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California to see who had the best time. Each of their times were then added from the video game and track time to see who was the fastest. Check out the video above to see who came out on top.

Press Release:
 
Four passionate gamers who have burned rubber on the race track through their video game consoles brought their racing dreams to life at an actual speedway for the eighth installment of the Mustang ‘10 Unleashed campaign.
 
Ford called upon the gaming community and staged a tournament with the best Need for Speed™ players to determine who would face the ultimate challenge.  As masters of the video game racing world, the winners played Need for Speed to hone their driving skills. The selected gamers competed against each other in the critically-acclaimed Need for Speed SHIFT™, which includes the new 2010 Ford Mustang. 
 
After they battled it out on their Xbox consoles, the four gamers received a chance to put the pedal to the metal at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif.  The contestants included:  Kirby Anderson (25); Troy Alessi (22); Justin Keppler (24) and Jason Morrell (24).
 
With the help of driving teachers from Fast Lane Racing School, the gamers learned the in and outs of the actual sport of racing.  At the end of the day, the participants had their time added up from their video racing and their time on the real-life track, as they raced on the same track, in the same car. The person with the lowest combined time won bragging rights.
 
“The whole point of the Mustang Unleashed Campaign is to intersect the passions of our life-long Mustang lovers with their most creative, wildest, most impossible dreams,” said Steve Ling, car group marketing manager for Ford Motor Company. “We’ve taken two seemingly different worlds and weaved them into one amazing “Unleashed” experience for these four winners.”
 
This experience is among several other dream Mustang experiences Ford is bringing to life with “The ‘10 Unleashed.”  Famous drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. slid sideways around Japan, consumer Roger Keeney drove blindly, and 18-year-old consumer Derek Murrell drag raced his high school shop teacher.  Each of the incredible videos can be viewed on www.the2010Mustang.com.
 
To find out who earned bragging rights on the virtual and real-life speedway, check out the video chronicling the Need for Speed experience at www.the2010mustang.com.