Tuesday 25th July 2017

Mustang 'Drag Strip mode' announced

Need to get a standard Mustang to 60mph in less than four seconds? There's a drive mode for that...

---

Not so long ago, the answer to "How do you get a Mustang to 60mph in less than four seconds?" would have been "drop it from a plane", but it's about to become far simpler. As part of the MY18 Mustangupgrades, which we'll assume can't be far off now, a 'Drag Strip mode' has been introduced. No, it's not big and, no, it doesn't sound especially clever, but rather like Drift Mode, Baja Mode and line lock, we can't help but be intrigued.

Not hitting 60 in less than four - the new one will!

Essentially Drag Strip mode sounds like an advanced launch control, where engine torque and shift strategy are optimised for the fastest getaway possible. So yes, for what must surely be the first time ever, the automatic is the fastest accelerating Mustang on sale. Which must be quite galling if you care about drag racing.

Having 10 gears in the new 'box will help, and the mode is said to ensure "the engine torque doesn't drop when you're shifting." That's according to Mustang chief engineer Carl Widmann. Also contributing to the rapid acceleration are a new compound of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and more power from the 5.0-litre V8, which now produces 460hp and 420lb ft. You just sit there and watch your hopeless opponent disappear behind you.

No longer the fastest way in a Mustang...

Drag Strip mode joins normal, sport, track and snow/wet for the upcoming Mustang. The fancy new gearbox also gets "real-time adaptive shift scheduling algorithms" and the ability to "direct downshift" (i.e. skipping gears on the way down as required; probably wise with 10 ratios), so it sounds like a worthwhile improvement on the current six-speed.

US customers can spec their cars from today, but there's no word yet on UK availability. Should you be desperate to get your hands on a Mustang though, the PH classifieds of course contains many a stunning stallion. If you can bear to accept a 0-60mph time that doesn't being with a '3', this red manual car looks jolly nice, for example. More details on the MY18 car soon!

 

[David87]

Huge want for this car.

[David87]

J4CKO said:

Any changes for the Ecoboost Mustang and V6 ?

Think I read that the V6 is dead and that the EcoBoost has increased torque, but no extra power. Don't quote me on that, though!