Ford used a camouflaged 2010 Mustang< as the pace car for this past weekend's historic Kohler International Challenge vintage race at Road America in Wisconsin. Ford timed the sneak peek accordingly, as Saturday was Ford Mustang Day, which allowed Mustang owners free entrance to the event.


While this was the first officially-sanctioned public “unveiling” of the car, little was shown, as the pony car was draped in the kind of camouflage seen in spy shots. The car is due to make a full-blow release at the Los Angeles auto show in November.

Ford’s decision to show off — albeit partially — its newest pony car at a racing event mimic Chevy’s announcement it will have the reborn Camaro at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September.

As recently reported, Ford designers have attempted to make the new ‘Stang appear smaller, despite being the same size as the existing model. The move was made to combat the preconceived image of a fuel-gulping muscle car. Once the disguise comes off, we’ll be able to assess the effectiveness of this technique.

We’re expecting the redesigned 2010 model to hit the market in the early part of 2009.

The move was made to combat the preconceived image of a fuel-gulping muscle car.

With the recent launch of the Dodge Challenger and the upcoming launch of the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang is facing its first legitimate competition since 2002. To combat the two new entrants to the Pony Car segment, Ford is currently overhauling the Mustang for the 2010 model year. Although we’ll have to wait until November’s Los Angeles Auto Show to see the new Mustang in the flesh, Ford has released the new Mustang badge set to grace the 2010 Mustang.

Like the Mustang currently on the market, the new badge is a modern interpretation of the original. Although the badge doesn’t give away too much about how the new car will look, Ford claims that the new badge, like the 2010 model, “is more defined, more muscular and sure to catch the eye of Mustang enthusiasts.”

The new badge has a reserved piece of real estate on the front grille of the 2010 V6 and GT Mustangs. For the first time, the Mustang badge will also be available in black-chrome on the Mustang GT.

The Mustang logo was last updated for the 2005 car.

If you frequent every car blog on a daily basis, then you've probably seen these latest spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang in base V6 and GT500 trim, as well as completely uncovered views of the interior. We're acutely aware, however, that some of you rely solely on Autoblog for your daily fix. Therefore, we're bringing you these three sets of spy shots now, despite the fact they've been on the web for a week. We apologize for the delay, but some back-of-the-house complications kept us from publishing them sooner.

Regardless, it's totally apparent that Ford wants everyone to see these spy shots considering how naked these prototypes are. The batch of shots showing a blue, base V6 model gives the best view of the Mustang's redesigned front end, including the newly shaped grille, new headlights, hood and lower bumper. The two new interior shots completely give up the goods on the Mustang's new dash design, as well. Finally, the GT500 convertible shots show that the top dog model will indeed be fierce with a giant hood bulge and its own front end design.

Unfortunately, we've heard that the Mustang's engine lineup will carry over largely unchanged for the 2010 model year, though could be entirely revamped shortly thereafter to keep pace with its crosstown rivals from Chevy and Dodge.