Ford announced that the upcoming 2018 Mustang GT will join the sub-4 second 0-60 mph club, mainly thanks to its new Drag-Strip mode. This, says the Blue Oval, will make the 2018 Mustang GT not only the fastest ‘Stang ever, but also faster than “a $94,000 Porsche 911 Carrera”.
Ford has redesigned the 5.0-liter V8, which now makes 460hp and 420lb-ft of torque, 25hp and 20 lb-ft more than the outgoing model, and at the same time offers improved fuel economy.
The new 10-speed automatic transmission provides more accurate and faster shifts and better low speed responses. As for the new Drag-Strip mode, one of the five in total driving modes, Ford says that it has been designed to provide maximum acceleration and performance on a straight line, “eliminating the lost time usually associated with automatic shifting”.
“Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time,” said Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer. “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 turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost unit has also been retuned for 2018 and now makes 310hp and 350lb-ft of torque – 30lb-ft more than the outgoing model. Ecoboost models equipped with the Performance Package (which also gets you bespoke Michelin Pilot 4 S tires) and the 10-speed automatic will also benefit from the Drag-Strip mode, giving them a 0-60mph time in under five seconds.
Ford says that the 2018 Mustang will arrive in dealerships this fall, with pricing and a configurator to go live from tomorrow, July 25.