2008 Ford Mustang Overview Change Vehicle

This 2008 Ford Mustang overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2008 Ford Mustang, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the 2008 Ford Mustang.

Dodge may be grabbing headlines with its new Challenger, but don’t hang Ford’s Mustang out to dry just yet. The automaker is making numerous changes to the 2008 Mustang to keep it fresh in the face of new competition.

For starters, side impact airbags are now standard rather than optional. New options include ambient interior lighting in the owner’s choice of seven different colors, an 18-inch wheel design for the Mustang V6 Coupe, and high-intensity discharge headlights. Three new colors are also available, and the Shelby GT now comes standard in Vista Blue with silver stripes. A new convertible version of the Shelby GT debuts, and a limited-production run of Shelby GT-H convertibles enters the Hertz Fun Collection rental fleet just in time for summer. There’s also a new Warriors in Pink edition of the Mustang, which celebrates and supports 25 years of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, which is dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

Two new Mustang models also debut for 2008. First up is the Mustang Bullitt, a modified ‘Stang designed to emulate the 1968 Mustang Fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the late 1960s film “Bullitt.” The second is the Mustang Shelby GT500KR, with KR standing for “King of the Road.” The GT500KR marks the 40th anniversary of the original “King of the Road” Shelby Mustang.

Ford likes to say that it offers “a steed for every need.” For 2008, that is certainly true, because the Mustang is available in nine trim levels powered by three different engines in various states of tune, and in coupe or convertible format.

The base model is the Mustang V6 Deluxe, including alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, a CD player, and floor mats. Pay extra for V6 Premium trim and get leather along with a Shaker 500 audio system with a CD changer and MP3 player.

For added power, the Mustang GT delivers. The GT Deluxe is based on the V6 Deluxe, adding a V8 engine plus traction control, ABS, 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, dual exhaust outlets, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. GT Premium models bump equipment levels with leather and the Shaker 500 audio system.

To make the Mustang GT more unique, the California Special Package adds different front and rear bumper designs, GT/CS door stripes, side scoops, chrome rolled exhaust tips, a lower front air dam, and 18-inch wheels, Black leather with Dove or Parchment inserts is also a part of the package. The optional GT Appearance Package includes a hood scoop, chrome rolled exhaust tips, and an engine cover with a Pony emblem.

Two special edition models based on the Mustang GT are available for 2008. New this year, the Mustang Bullitt is designed to recall the 1968 Mustang Fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the late 1960s movie “Bullitt,” which is widely considered to be the cinematic father of the modern car chase scene. Equipped with a Ford Racing Power Pack cold air induction kit, the Bullitt model makes 315 hp and 325 ft.-lbs. of torque, revs to 6,500 rpm, and achieves a top speed of 151 mph. Suspension and chassis modifications upgrade the handling, carbon metallic front brake pads improve braking, the exhaust note is tuned to mimic the car used in the original movie, and dark gray 18-inch wheels are wrapped in high-performance rubber. Paint choices are Dark Highland Green (same as the movie car) or Black, with a Charcoal Black leather interior, satin aluminum dash trim with a polished swirl finish, better bolstered front seats, and a special polished aluminum shift knob.

Available in limited numbers, the Shelby GT offers a bit more power and greater handling prowess than a stock GT, and is available in convertible format for the first time. Special Vista Blue paint, silver LeMans stripes, and polished 17-inch alloy wheels instantly identify the 2008 Shelby GT sold directly to the public, while a limited-production Shelby GT-H convertible enters the Hertz rental car Fun Collection just in time for summer, painted black with gold stripes and black wheels. Convertibles are equipped with a roll hoop, and subtle styling changes differentiate the Shelby GT from other Mustangs, including unique front styling, a brushed aluminum grille, and a special hood secured by pins. The interior gets the Shelby treatment, too, with brushed aluminum pedals and plenty of “Shelby” badges. A cold air kit, muffler kit, and cat-back performance exhaust from the Ford Racing Performance parts catalog increase horsepower to 319 and torque to 330 ft.-lbs., while revised shocks, springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace combined with high-performance tires make the Shelby GT drive better than a stock GT.

The next step up the performance ladder is the Shelby GT500, built in partnership between Ford’s Special Vehicle Team and Shelby. With a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine making 500 horsepower and 480 ft.-lbs. of torque, the GT500 is one gnarly ride. Putting that power to ground through a six-speed manual transmission, the Shelby also has a race-tuned suspension, four-piston Brembo brakes, and high-performance rubber to help keep the car under control. Styling differences clearly separate the Shelby GT500 from other Mustangs, such as plentiful Cobra snake badges and gleaming white LeMans stripes on the Shelby GT500 Coupe. Satin aluminum trim replaces the plastichrome found in other Mustangs, and the GT500 swaps the tachometer and speedometer locations for better visibility during performance driving. Better seat bolsters and an artistic aluminum shift knob complete the package.

New for 2008, and marking the 40th anniversary of the original “King of the Road” Mustang Shelby, is the $80,000 GT500KR. Incredibly, the KR adds 40 horsepower and 30 ft.-lbs. of torque to an already potent car. Further changes include a Ford Racing short-throw shifter, a 3.73 rear axle, suspension modifications, recalibrated ABS, a unique stainless steel exhaust system, and Shelby-design wheels wrapped in sticky high-performance Goodyear rubber. A vented carbon-fiber hood with stainless steel hood pins, aerodynamic modifications, different body stripes, and a white shifter ball complete the transformation into a modern “King of the Road.” Production is limited to just 1,000 copies.

The best-selling version of the Mustang is the V6 model, which has 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. A standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic sends the power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy estimates are 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway* with the manual and 16 city/24 highway* with the automatic.

For greater power without much penalty at the pump, get the Mustang GT. Its 4.6-liter V8 makes 300 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 320 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm while delivering 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway* with the manual and 15 city/22 highway* with the automatic.

Two special versions of the Mustang GT are on sale in 2008. The Mustang Bullitt has a 4.6-liter V8 engine equipped with a Ford Racing Power Pack cold air induction kit, and makes 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. The Mustang Shelby GT and GT-H also have a 4.6-liter V8 with a Ford Racing Performance massage, and it’s good for 319 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 330 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Each of these models receives the same EPA fuel economy estimates as the standard GT.

A supercharged and intercooled, dual overhead cam, 5.4-liter V8 engine throbs under the hood of the Shelby GT500, cranking out 500 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the Shelby GT500 achieves mileage estimates of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway*.

The special-edition Shelby GT500KR paints the pavement with 540 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 510 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm, the extra power courtesy of a Ford Racing cold air induction kit and revised ignition and throttle calibrations. The EPA does not rate the GT500KR’s engine for fuel economy, but it’s certainly not going to be better than the stock GT500, is it?

* For the 2008 model year, the EPA modified its fuel economy calculation methodology in an effort to generate more realistic estimates, typically resulting in lower year-over-year fuel economy ratings.

Ford makes side-impact airbags for the Mustang’s front seat occupants standard for 2008, but other safety equipment is optional. Traction control and ABS are optional on the V6, GT, and Shelby GT, and Ford does not offer a stability control system or side curtain airbags. Traction control and ABS come standard on the Shelby GT500 and GT500KR.

The NHTSA has finally crash-tested the Mustang Convertible, and the 2008 version receives a perfect score of 5 stars across the board, a rarity in the marketplace. The Mustang Coupe duplicates this feat, except for a 4-star rating for side-impact protection for rear seat occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Mustang Convertible an Acceptable rating in the frontal offset crash test, a Good rating in the side-impact crash test, and a Poor rating for rear crash protection. The IIHS has not performed tests on the coupe version.

When it comes to quality and reliability, JDPower.com says the 2008 Mustang is about average. Consumer Reports predicts that the 2008 Mustang will return an above average performance in terms of reliability.

Ford really outdid itself with the 2008 Mustang. There are 12 different models to choose from, including the California Special and Shelby GT-H, and special editions support the fight against breast cancer and celebrate one of the greatest chase scenes in cinematic history. As if that’s not enough, the top model, the Shelby GT500KR, stickers for an Abe Lincoln less than 80 grand and has a whopping 540 horsepower. The addition of standard side-impact airbags helps the Mustang ace NHTSA crash tests, and Consumer Reports says the Mustang will prove better than average in terms of reliability. Except for the crappy lump of a V6 engine in the base models and some cheap plastic on the interior, there is literally nothing to complain about here. Vehix strongly recommends the 2008 Ford Mustang.