Five Stars: 2008 Mustang Convertible Breezes Through NHTSA Tests

The 2008 Ford Mustang convertible has achieved a 5 star rating in every category of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Now equipped with standard side air bags in addition to seat-mounted thorax side air bags, the Mustang Convertible scored slightly higher than its coupe sibling, which received five stars in all but the rear seat side impact category.

Ford says the 2008 Mustang convertible is currently the only convertible that received all-around five-star ratings in the NCAP tests. The Mustang features the Personal Safety System, which includes technologies like dual-stage front air bags, a seat weight sensing system for the passenger seat and crash severity sensing to increase peace of mind.

For 2008, Mustangs can be had with HID headlights, 18-inch wheels on the V-6 coupe and, as with the Fusion, an ambient lighting system (pictured at right).