Wednesday 18th January 2017

New Ford Mustang!

The hybrid isn't here just yet, but there is a 10-speed automatic...

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Did you know that Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, is a Ford ambassador? Well he is, and he's been used by Ford to reveal the latest Mustang. It's even been done on social media, an area where both Mr Johnson and the Mustang enjoy a strong following. Indeed The Rock's Instagram following is greater than the population of the UK, at 75.1 million

So what's new? The Mustang's look has changed slightly, the revised grille and bonnet said to deliver a "more athletic" look. The lights front and rear are now LED too, with a different bumper and spoiler at the back to mark this car out. It's still recognisably a Mustang basically, even in the new Orange Fury paint.

In America this facelift heralds the demise of the 3.7-litre V6, the Mustang now only available with either the Ecoboost or V8. For the 5.0-litre car Ford says the engine has been "thoroughly reworked", revving higher than any previous Mustang GT, adding more power and improved fuel efficiency too. A "totally redesigned" manual gearbox for the V8 should improve the drive further too.

The 10-speed automatic replaces the old six-speed (surely adding 66 per cent more ratios to a replacement gearbox must be a record?), promising quicker shift times, better low speed response and reduced friction losses. It is, according to Ford, the "best automatic Mustang ever offered" and now a direct rival for the 10-speed Camaro. Bring on the drag race.

Now if you thought an independent rear axle was innovative for a Mustang, consider this: magnetic dampers are now available as an option. In addition to revised dampers and new anti-roll bars on all models, a Mustang Performance Package brings a MagneRide option which should improved ride and handling "in all situations".

The big change inside is a new (optional) LCD screen for the dash, customisable with three displays - normal, sport and track. Also customisable is the engine note - yes, really - with an active valve exhaust also on the options list that is fully variable. A 'MyMode' memory functions stores all the driver's preferred settings.

The 2018 Mustang will be available in the US this fall, which is American for autumn. There isn't confirmation of the UK following just yet, but hopefully it's not too far behind.

[gumsie]

Might be a case of bad workman blaming his tools but I have a 9 speed auto and in manual mode god is it annoying. Forever flicking a paddle.

That aside the Mustang is lovely.

[British Beef]

More importantly, will UK ever get RHD the GT350 ?

[Guvernator]

Liking the new look, the slightly improved interior and the tweaks to the V8, more revs and more power sound VERY promising. Not so sure on the 10 speed gearbox but I'll reserve judgement on it. I assume it will still be available with a good old 6 speed manual though?

If only those rear seats where a bit more useful, i.e. people could actually sit in them I'd be putting my deposit down with Ford already.

[Tuvra]

That looks absolutely brilliant.

[Shaw Tarse]

I prefer the current one.

[GroundEffect]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

British Beef said:

More importantly, will UK ever get RHD the GT350 ?

No.

It won't even get the power packs available for the normal GT by the looks of it.

Yes we will. The US is dropping to 2.3 Turbo, 5.0 V8 GT & probably an eventual GT350/GT500. We will get the 2.3 and 5.0.

From other reports though, the new GT for Europe gets GT350 components - so we're getting a 'GT350-Lite'.

[GTEYE]

Tuvra said:

That looks absolutely brilliant.

I wonder if the revised one will mildly upset UK owners of the current one, bearing in mind it hasn't long been out in the UK.

I guess that's a factor of the extraordinary long time it took Ford to gear up for RHD.

[Centurion07]

Just checking in for all the non-owners and people that haven't driven one to say how crap they are and what Ford should or shouldn't have done.

[Centurion07]

GTEYE said:

I wonder if the revised one will mildly upset UK owners of the current one, bearing in mind it hasn't long been out in the UK.

I guess that's a factor of the extraordinary long time it took Ford to gear up for RHD.

Order books in the UK won't be open for another year or so yet with likely another 8-12mths wait for delivery after that, so unless you're ordering sometime in the next year I doubt many will be upset. Combined with the different look and what will no doubt be quite a price increase, I don't think it will cause an issue.

[hotchy]

Centurion07 said:

Just checking in for all the non-owners and people that haven't driven one to say how crap they are and what Ford should or shouldn't have done.

The more bashing the better. Lets all help and make them Drop those prices so I can buy one.

[Centurion07]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

All GT PPs will get some GT350 components, but its a bit of a stretch to call it a 350-lite.

If the PowerPacks come to the current gen. UK and EU cars (in an official capacity with warranty backing) ill gladly come back here and let you all tell me "I told you so". Ford cant even get the powerpack release correctly done in the USA, with the stage 3 being pushed back again recently, with it now >6m behind schedule.

This^. No RHD GT350. Ever.

Ford can't sort their arse from their elbow with the RHD versions, never mind for a limited number production run. The numbers just don't add up for them.

[j90gta]

Does an engine with the torque of a 5.0 V8 need a 10 speed gearbox??

[unpc]

So what does it rev to now then? Unless I'm mistaken the article doesn't say.

[FN2TypeR]

Tuvra said:

That looks absolutely brilliant.

Agreed,

[VeeFource]

j90gta said:

Does an engine with the torque of a 5.0 V8 need a 10 speed gearbox??

Probably just makes it easier to pass the ever more stringent emissions tests.

[AndySheff]

I wonder if the tri-bar front sidelights are allowed to be used in the UK now ?

[Dave.]

May as well be a CVT! Nuts!

[J4CKO]

I dont get the concern about these new autos with loads of ratios, it is an auto, it decides what gear to be in and surely, with more it can be in a more suitable gear, more of the time ? they can also skip ratios, wouldnt want to go back to old style 3 speed slushers, they could be a bit painful.

[unpc]

I have to say there's nothing new on this update that I'd really want to trade my 2016 in for. Maybe the mag dampers perhaps...

[Yipper]

Looks slightly uglier than the previous model. Front end looks less aggressive. And the 10-speed gearbox is eventually going to get annoying, constantly changing gear every 3 seconds.