New Technology Features on the 2010 Mustang

New technology features added for the 2010 Mustang will enhance the driving experience and keep drivers connected in a safe way. These features include Ford's SYNC system, a voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft that includes 911 assist, Vehicle Health Report & SIRIUS travel link among other things. SYNC uses an 8-inch touch-screen display which controls all radio, phone and navigation functions. Other technology features include an Ambient lighting system using the MyColor system with a wider range of colors, an Easy Fuel capless fuel filler and an available reverse camera system displaying video through the 8" screen. Descriptions and photos on all these new features are after the jump... SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities – plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees. 911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators. Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone. SIRIUS Travel Link: An industry-leading technology that, when combined with the voice-activated navigation system will provide users with real-time traffic data with accident and incident information, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts, and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations. Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more. Voice-Activated Navigation: this option integrates several functions including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch-screen display. The navigation system’s text-to-speech function calls out street names while in route to a destination and reads incoming text messages when the system is linked to SYNC. The integrated DVD player is capable of reading CD Audio, MP3 CDs, DVD, DVD-Audio and DVD-ROM (for digital map updates) A music jukebox function stores more than 150 hours of music. The screen even can be customized with personal photos. Reverse Camera System: this option mounts a small camera on the decklid spoiler that is activated when the Mustang is shifted into reverse, providing a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the navigation screen on Mustangs equipped with that option or in the self-dimming rearview mirror on those without the navigation system. The screen image includes an industry-first centerline and colored guides giving the driver a better perspective of the vehicle’s center point and periphery. The rearview camera system will be available on the GT Premium, V-6 Pony Express and V-6 Sport packages. Ambient Lighting System with MyColor: system allows drivers to customize the interior lighting of the vehicle to suit their mood. The enhanced MyColor system features seven base colors – ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white and green. Customers also can create 125 custom colors by mixing the red-green-blue palette. The driver can individually set the instrument cluster gauge background, instrument cluster “halo” lighting and the ambient lights in the front and rear footwells, cup holders, doors and the “M U S T A N G” logo in the aluminum door sills to different colors, or easily coordinate them all to the same custom color. EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System: This industry-exclusive feature helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and global warming. When fueling is completed, and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

By Tom #1, Posted: 11/20/2008

Maybe I'm a dinosaur at age 38, but my first reaction to some of these features was not terribly positive. The car looks great with some nice styling cues pointing to the models I grew up drooling over. The interior is clean and the horsepower number is a nice feature, too. There's a lot to love in the 2010 'Stang.
What I love about my Mustang ('03 GT 'Vert') is the visceral feel of the engine/exhaust/road. Give me a V-8, boomy exhaust, and big sticky tires. A few creature comforts are nice (heat/AC/CD changer/MP3), but much more than that starts to detract from the experience.
Younger buyers want the techno doo-dads and light show, I suppose. I openly admit that I don't understand the need to be "wired" at all times. In fact, the idea truly turns my stomach.
Given Ford's financial position I can understand the need to attract those buyers. The children are the future, right? But I lament what is being lost by adding more technology to the dashboard rather than under the hood. My wife and I joke that she loves my car because it only attracts middle-aged white guys. That's definitely a stigma Ford needs to fix. While I want to see the Mustang succeed long-term, I hate that much of what I think is special about the marque is fetting lost in the Faustian deal to keep it alive.
We'll see how the comments go. Maybe I'm just old beyond my years and at the sort of crossroads that Cartman had the other night regarding High School Musical; to paraphrase: If this is what's cool, then maybe I have no connection to the world anymore.
By Carlo #2, Posted: 11/30/2008

Wow its about time a pony car with "Automatic Climate Control" I've been waiting for this for along time, the only reason why v6 Japanese cars like the 350z,g37 find buyers that would like a v8 pony car (and did in years past,before technology)is the refinement luxury car features. I would never buy a car over 28,000 without these features, I mean value when you get near 30k there should be no compromises! I loved the Challenger until I saw it didn't have Automatic Climate Control. All Chargers do so why not the Coupe! I have a 87 Trans Am GTA every option digital dash but no Automatic Climate Control just busted ass motorized manual version Vetts have it, WTF. The 83 Buick Skyhawk Limited had it(a compact in 83 but not my TA) I will love my car forever cause I love the looks, but Fords got my I now I may soon have Mustang next to my Trans AM excellent work!