Fords iconic Mustang has never had much trouble being a best-seller. Now though, safety conscious consumers after a fun and exciting convertible may have another reason to look at one, as the 2008 Mustang Convertible has just aced testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, earning it the distinction of being the only convertible of any kind to be labeled a five-star safety pick.
Achieving this designation requires vehicles to earn top marks in frontal crash evaluations for driver and front passenger, as well as in side-impact testing for the driver and rear-seat passenger behind the driver. Additionally, a rollover test is conducted to gauge the vehicles ability to keep the shiny side facing up. For 2008, Mustang adds standard side-impact airbags to its impressive list of safety features which includes seat-mounted airbags and a personal safety system which insures optimized deployment in the case of an impact. "The five-star ratings confirm our own analysis of the safety performance of this excellent vehicle," said Jim Vondale, director of Ford's automotive safety office. "The Mustang convertible is another example of working at all levels to offer a vehicle that is both sporty and safe. It was developed with a dedicated focus on safety, making it the highest rated Mustang ever built."
photo: Ford