The 2018 Ford Mustang is about to launch in Australia bringing some significant changes
across the pony car range.
Now we’re going to be driving this car at the new Tailem Bend facility in South Australia
in a couple of weeks’ time but before that we’ve been given early access to one for
a closer look.
Let’s check it out.
The Mustang is already the most popular sports car on sale in Australia and for 2018 Ford
has tried to broaden its appeal with the introduction of a more powerful V8 engine, a new ten speed
automatic gearbox and loads more technology.
Even a drag strip function.
We’ll get to some of those bits and pieces in a moment but first the styling.
When you make changes to a cult car like the Mustang you’re always going to have detractors.
And when this design first logged in 2017 there were loads of them.
From some of our very own readers, I cannot say that I’m a fan.
Holy moly Ford surely must not want to sell more Mustangs.
The Mustang has died.
It’s over.
A little bit dramatic but I think you’ll agree that when you see this car in the skin
it’s pretty striking.
In essence, the styling changes concentrate on a lower remodelled bonnet and grill, repositioned
air intakes and all LED front lights across all models.
Further back you’ll find revised LED taillights, a new bumper and optional performance rear
wing spoiler.
In the case of the Mustang GT there’s that cool quad tip exhaust outlet.
The Mustang’s safety suite is likewise improved in the facelift.
The introduction of autonomous emergency braking and other technologies elevating its official
safety rating from two stars to three.
Inside there are a couple of key changes but in honesty there’s nothing that really transforms
the feel of the car.
The standout for me is this new 12 inch digital instrument cluster.
It’s not that different from Audi’s virtual cockpit display and ironically it’s activated
at the push of a single button on the steering wheel, not dissimilar to BMW’s M-mode function.
Basically the new layout gives you umpteen different layouts and ways to view all the
key information in the instrument cluster.
It basically lends the car added personalisation from behind the wheel.
So Tom we’re now seeing 339 kilowatts, 556 newton metres from that 5 litre V8, how has
Ford extracted more mumbo?
[Tom] As part of the new upgrade for the 2018 Mustang we’ve seen a significant upgrade
under the bonnet which leads to a power output of 339 kilowatts and 556 newton metres.
So that’s a 10% power upgrade.
That’s mostly due to the introduction of a new dual fuel system which uses port fuel
injection at lower RPM for smooth, quiet running and great torque and direct injection at higher
revs when high performance is needed.
[Sam] There’s also a new ten speed automatic gearbox available in the Mustang.
It’s moving away from that old six speed unit.
So what’s the move there?
Why did Ford go with that direction?
[Tom] So this one’s much more advanced so you can instantly tell that it’s a cutting edge
transmission.
It shifts very quickly, it seems to know exactly what gear to be in.
Even things like when you’re on the highway and need to kick down a gear to overtake for
example it’s got the ability to drive five gears in one go so direct from ninth to fourth
or tenth to fifth, whatever you need to get the power you need to overtake.
[Sam] Ford in Europe is actually claiming a 4.3 second 0 to 100 time and a large part of that
is a new drag strip mode.
Can you tell me how that works?
[Tom] Drag strip is one of our new modes.
We already had four in the previous ones and they utilise different calibrations of the
transmission, the throttle mapping and the steering.
Drag strip mode actually changes the throttle and the transmission mapping and it means
that as you’re powering through the gears it holds the power with the gear changes so
that there’s a seamless power delivery all the way to whichever speed you arrive at.
[Sam] There’s also a new shock absorbers and a new cross access joint in the rear but I
understand the big revelation with Mustang is optional MagnaRide dampers.
Can you tell me a bit about those?
[Tom] MagnaRide is awesome.
It’s basically a best of both worlds approach.
Because the dampers are constantly adaptable it uses electromagnets and, you know fluid
that can be stimulated to change the damping actively.
It’s measuring a thousand times a second so as you’re going round corners it changes
that to be stiffer and more responsive but when you’re on the highway it makes sure
it’s got a nice soft, smooth ride.
[Sam] Now one of the big things with Mustang has been the ability from very early on to
be able to customise it and make it your own and that’s really taken a step forward with
this latest incarnation of Mustang.
Can you tell me about some of the options that are available?
[Tom] The MagnaRide and Recaro racing seats are a great performance improvement for the Mustang
and a way that you can customise it to be your own.
But there’s also appearance personalisation options with both the EcoBoost and the V8
models you can choose between two different wheels.
On the GT you can actually option up forged aluminium wheels which are both stronger and
lighter and have a different appearance to the standard black rims.
And you can also option over the top stripe in white as we see it here or black and you
can option a rear spoiler.
So it’s definitely the most customisable Mustang we’ve offered in Australia.
[Sam] Well clearly there’s no such thing as a free lunch and as such Mustang prices have
risen as much as $9000 for 2018.
So entering the stable will now set you back $49 990 for the four cylinder EcoBoost with
the GT Fastback now priced at $62 990.
As for whether the latest additions are worth the added coin, well I hope to give you a
more definitive answer from Tailem Bend in a couple of weeks’ time.