2002 Ford Mustang Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The design of the Mustang carries over without changes for 2002. The current Mustang design picks up styling cues from the 1964-66 original, but executes them in today's rounder, more organic idiom. The rear fender air intake, for example, has sharp corners and pronounced lines; but the rocker panels curve out, and the fenders have pronounced front and rear wheel well arches. The front end features wraparound complex reflector headlamps with integrated side marker lamps, combined with a square-edged honeycomb grille and a chrome pony. Tricolor front fender badges recall the good old days, as does the prominent but non-functional hood scoop. In back, it's 1965 with vertical, three-element taillamps.

GT models get unique hood and side-scoop treatments, along with fog lights and a rear spoiler.

The Cobra, the newest Mustang in the corral, relies on its horsepower and torque to make an impression on those within and without the car, but it is not without its physical charms. The Cobra features a completely new front and rear appearance package that distinguishes it from the previous model. The biggest difference is in the raised hood required by the addition of the supercharger assembly under it. In addition to the tall bulge, there are two rear-facing vents near the leading edge to exhaust hot air from the engine bay. There's a new grille opening, new front bumper, new driving lamps, new 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels that can be had in either brushed or chromed finish, new rocker panels and side scoops, a new rear end treatment with a very discreet and conservative rear spoiler section, and a new Cobra rear valance panel. This time out, there are seven hot exterior colors, none subtle, and two interior colors.

Interior Features

The Mustang has good, reclining bucket seats with plenty of travel. Seatbelts are attached to the seat frames so they move with them.

The coupe interior is cozy, with enough seat-track length to accommodate tall drivers and just enough elbowroom to keep from feeling cramped. The Mustang's back seat is small, with only enough room for small objects or kids. The trunk is small with an even smaller opening. A split fold-down rear seat is standard on all models and handy for hauling cargo. A glow-in-the-dark safety latch has been added inside the trunks of all Mustang models designed to prevent kids getting locked in the trunks.

The Mustang is now rated by the government with its highest five-star rating for front passenger safety. There are only two front air bags available, however.

Leather upholstery is standard in the Premium GT, optional in some other models. Running horses embossed on the upper portions of the seat backrests recall the deluxe pony interior of the mid-Sixties. The instrument panel, center console and headliner are color-keyed. The center console was revised last year with improved cup holders and functionality.

SVT Cobra models offer the poshest accommodations ever seen in a Mustang: new front bucket seats with Nudo leather trim and suede inserts. The driver's seat features six-way power with power-adjustable thigh and side bolsters, and power lumbar support. Clearly, these seats are made for serious, fast driving. Switches are on the right-front corner of the seat.

The SVT instrument cluster has been redesigned to include a boost gauge. The gauges feature titanium-colored faces and electroluminescent lighting.

The Cobra's gearshift knob is leather-wrapped, with a brushed-aluminum insert on the top, inscribed with the six-speed pattern. New metal-trimmed pedals and dead pedal are standard. Additional Cobra standard features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel; leather boots for the shift and parking brake levers; tilt steering wheel; power windows, mirrors, door locks, and trunk release; the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system; remote keyless entry; speed control.