Wednesday 18th January 2017

New Ford Mustang!

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

---

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.