2018 Mustang Revealed! Restyled Pony Car Packs More Power & Tech

The new Mustang is our best ever, based on more than 50 years as one of the iconic sports car in America and now, the world.—Joe Hinrichs, Ford

Today the latest version of Ford’s iconic pony car officially galloped out of the stable with a refreshed look. However, the 2018 Mustang’s beauty is far more than sheetmetal deep as the new look signals a host of performance and technological upgrades sure to have many owners considering an upgrade.

“The new Mustang is our best ever, based on more than 50 years as one of the iconic sports car in America and now, the world,” Joe Hinrichs, president of The Americas, said. “Tapping Mustang’s enormous fan base, we’re bringing the new Mustang straight to the people—and introducing the new car across multiple social media channels, reaching millions.”

Along with the new look there are 12 available wheel options and some new exterior colors, including the signature color, Orange Fury. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)

Along with the new look there are 12 available wheel options and some new exterior colors, including the signature color, Orange Fury. (Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company)

From the pillars forward the Mustang exterior features a lower, sleeker hood and revised front grilles, and new LED front lights—including low beams, turn signals, projector high beams, signature lighting and available fog lamps—across all models. Likewise the rear taillights are revised LED units, which, along with a new bumper, fascia and optional wing, set the 2018 apart from its predecessor.

Fresh styling is great, but those reading this page want to know about the changes that will give the latest pony a faster pace. As expected, Ford is being coy about the upgrades and the updated specs. You can expect those to trickle out leading up to the 2018 Mustang hitting dealer lots this fall.

Here’s a quick look at all the new features on the 2018 Mustang.

Here’s a quick look at all the new features on the 2018 Mustang.

It seems as though the V-6 is a thing of the past and the 2.3-liter EcoBoost is getting a bump in performance courtesy of a Mustang-specific calibration of is Overboost feature, which allows for momentary increases in power to enhance foot-to-the-floor acceleration.

The real revelation under the swoopy new hood is a third-gen Coyote 5.0-liter engine upgraded for higher rpm and better fuel economy. The hardware changes aren’t fully known yet, but the major upgrade is its fuel system. The latest 5.0-liter engine is the first Mustang V8 to be fed by Ford’s dual-fuel system, which combines both direct injection and port injection to feed higher horsepower levels.

While the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine gets an updated version of the transient Overboost tech, which allows short bursts of increased performance, it is the third-gen Coyote engine that received most of the engineering attention. It features the first application of Ford’s dual-fuel system, which combines a high-pressure direct injection system with a low-pressure port injection system to support increased power. It higher-revving 5.0 is said to offer “robust low-end torque, high-rpm power, and improved fuel efficiency.”

While the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine gets an updated version of the transient Overboost tech, which allows short bursts of increased performance, it is the third-gen Coyote engine that received most of the engineering attention. It features the first application of Ford’s dual-fuel system, which combines a high-pressure direct injection system with a low-pressure port injection system to support increased power. It higher-revving 5.0 is said to offer “robust low-end torque, high-rpm power, and improved fuel efficiency.”

Behind both engine options are some significant transmission upgrades. As has been long rumored, the 2018 Mustang receives the highly anticipated 10-speed automatic transmission. It is said to offer a wide gear ratio span and gear spacing designed to transmit higher average horsepower for better acceleration.

According to Ford, the new auto offers quicker shifts and better low-speed response than the six-speed automatic it supplants. Moreover, its electronic control system includes calibrations for each drive mode and offers “real-time adaptive shift scheduling,” is said to choose the right gear for situation. Drivers can control the auto via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Ford didn’t forget those of us that still love to bang through the gears ourselves. The manual transmissions behind both engines were redesigned to handle more torque and offer better clutch actuation thanks to the addition of twin-disc clutches and dual-mass flywheels.

Inside the already stellar Mustang interior gains some better materials, include a hand-stitched wrap on the center console along with padded knee bolsters. The seat designs are fresh and wear new patterns and color options. Event the details are improved, as the bezels door handles and trim rings are now aluminum. Even the key fob design is new.

Inside, the already stellar Mustang interior gains some better materials, including a hand-stitched wrap on the center console and padded knee bolsters. The seat designs are fresh and wear new patterns and color options. Event the details are improved, as the bezels door handles and trim rings are now aluminum. Even the key fob design is new.

To handle all the increased performance Ford engineers worked over the suspension on all Mustangs with new dampers, a new sway bar design and a cross-axis ball joint on the rear suspension. For those who want some electronic assistance, Magneride, which debuted on the Shelby GT350, has now trickled down as part of the Mustang Performance Package.

Inside the 2018 Mustang gains a new Mustang badge on the dash, but the real upgrade is digital. Ford wasn’t kidding when it announced the Ford GT’s new digital dash and hinted that the technology would arrive in other Fords. That democratization of technology happens quickly in the forthcoming Mustang, which receives Ford’s first 12-inch digital LCD screen in the dash.

The latest Mustang’s digital dash allows drivers to choose between three different views for Normal, Sport and Track driving modes and these settings saved via the new Mustang MyMode memory settings.

Drivers can choose between three different views for Normal, Sport and Track driving modes and these settings along with drive settings for the steering and optional Magneride may be saved via the new Mustang MyMode memory settings.

Other Ford tech making its way to the Mustang for the first time is designed to keep drivers and passenger safer. The Pre-Collision Assist offers warnings to keep you at a safe distance from cars in traffic, that pedestrians are entering your path and when you are wandering out of your lane.

In all, it is easy to see why Ford has described the 2018 model as the “most advanced Mustang ever.”

Refreshing the backside of the 2018 are new LED taillights, a new bumper and an optional spoiler. EcoBoost ’Stangs have dual exhaust tips, while Mustang GTs now rock GT350-style quad-tip exhausts. And, yes, an active exhaust is optional for those that like to adjust the exhaust sound for the situation.

Refreshing the backside of the 2018 are new LED taillights, a new bumper and an optional spoiler. EcoBoost ’Stangs have dual exhaust tips, while Mustang GTs now rock GT350-style quad-tip exhausts. And, yes, an active exhaust is optional for those that like to adjust the exhaust sound for the situation.

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About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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