(Photo: Ford Motor Company) The Ford Mustang is getting a facelift for 2018, but slightly changed looks are only just a little bit of what’s been updated for Ford’s popular coupe. Apparently, someone at the Blue Oval isn’t too pleased with what has been going on with the Dodge Challenger and has decided to take a swipe at FCA’s offerings. So what’s new? Let’s start out with the Mustang GT: the V8 has gotten a bump in power, bringing the numbers up to 460 horsepower and 420 ft/lbs of torque. But what Ford is more than happy to tell you about is the Drag Strip mode that comes with the Performance Pack that, when paired off with the 10-speed automatic transmission, can blitz from 0-60 quicker than a Porsche 911 Carrera. The EcoBoost model also sees gains, namely a bump in torque that brings the punchy four-banger up to 350 ft/lbs., allowing the four-cylinder to run 0-60 in under five seconds, again with the Performance Pack and the 10-speed automatic transmission.
Compared to FCA’s take-no-prisoners one-sided approach, Ford is making the Mustang the jack-of-all-trades pony car still around. The GT isn’t supposed to play in the Hellcat leagues, that’s for the Shelby GT350R and it’s maniacal 5.2L V8 to handle.
DEARBORN, Mich., July 24, 2017 – Ford’s most advanced and powerful Mustang GT is also the fastest ever, achieving 0-to-60-mph in less than four seconds in Drag Strip mode.
The new Mustang is also faster than a $94,000 Porsche 911 Carrera, which Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer, attributes to five factors:
- Improved horsepower and torque output of the redesigned 5.0-liter V8
- Maximum acceleration of available Drag Strip mode
- Quicker, smoother shifting of the available 10-speed SelectShift® transmission
- Optimized traction courtesy of the available custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires on new Performance Pack
“Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time,” said Widmann. “In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting. You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through thanks to our new Ford-built 10-speed transmission.”
The car’s 5.0-liter V8 now features dual-fuel, high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port fuel injection technology for increased power and efficiency. The engine’s 460 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque represent improvements over the current model’s 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. The result is an engine that delivers robust low-end torque, high-rpm power and improved fuel efficiency.
Drivers of EcoBoost®-equipped Mustang also will feel increased power on the strip. The retuned EcoBoost four-cylinder generates 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque – a 30 lb.-ft. gain over the current model. In Drag Strip mode with Performance Package and the 10-speed automatic, the 2018 EcoBoost-powered Mustang posts an impressive 0-to-60-mph time of under five seconds.
Drag Strip mode – one of five driver-selectable modes available for 2018 – has been designed to provide maximum acceleration and performance for straight-line driving. Drag Strip mode is primarily controlled by the transmission and delivers a significant acceleration boost, eliminating the lost time usually associated with automatic shifting.
The new 10-speed transmission, with a wide-ratio span and optimized gear spacing, helps deliver higher average power for acceleration – resulting in improved responsiveness and performance. The 10-speed architecture features Ford-patented power-flow and Ford-patented direct-acting hydraulic controls. It’s designed for optimum ratio progression and efficiency, and provides more accurate, quicker upshift and downshift capability.
In addition, an all-new electronic control system features real-time adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms engineered to help ensure the right gear is engaged at the right time, including skip-shift and direct downshift capability.
Compared to the outgoing six-speed, the new 10-speed automatic has quicker shift times and better low-speed tip-in response. It’s uniquely tuned for all five drive modes – normal, sport, track, Drag Strip and snow/wet. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles allow drivers maximum manual control.
“Gearing matters, and in Drag Strip mode, this car launches better than ever off the line,” said Widmann.
Fans will be able to build and price their very own 2018 Mustang from July 25 by visiting www.ford.com/mustang/2018. New Mustang is due to reach showrooms this fall.
If you look at the 60’s muscle cars, the difference between the base model and the big motor version was often 10% or in that range (excluding the properly nuts specialty stuff, aluminum big blocks and such).
Seems like today getting the “good motor” version means 60-80% price premiums. Or more. I’m surprised that with the automakers doing so well with making more power and retaining reasonable milage that they have to gouge buyers so bad.