The list of improvements that the facelifted 6th generation Ford Mustang will be bringing to the table continues to grow. As was already established early on, the range will be split between the entry-level EcoBoost and the more mainstream-muscle GT (the V6 available in certain markets have been phased out).
Coming next year, the new GT will use a similar naturally aspirated 5.0-litre Coyote V8, but its revised internals and operational calibrations have resulted in an increased output to 343kW and 569Nm, an increase of 19kW and 27Nm.
This, coupled with this newly announced ‘Drag Strip’ mode and the custom-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyre that are equipped as part of the new Performance Pack, enable the new Mustang GT to sprint to ‘60mph’ in less than 4 seconds (3.9s?). Since our measure of acceleration times are counted at 100km/h (62mph), let’s assume that’s achieved in 4 seconds flat.
Another reason that the 2018 Mustang GT is able to accelerate this quickly is also due to the quicker shift work that comes from the new 10-speed automatic transmission that debuts on the new pony car. Working in concert, these shave close to a second off the original Mustang 6 GT’s century sprint time.
Carl Widmann, chief engineer of the new Mustang, elaborates: “Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time. In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting. You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through thanks to our new Ford-built 10-speed transmission. […] Gearing matters, and in Drag Strip mode, this car launches better than ever off the line.”
Future owners will be able to choose the new mode from one of the five selectable presets, which electronically limits the revs during before the launch itself, and once the brake is dropped the transmission and engine management are more aggressive about managing the spread of torque through the 10 forward ratios, making full use of Ford’s patented power-flow and direct-acting hydraulic, engineered for optimum progression, smoothness, and efficiency as well as quicker overall shifts.
They’ve also tuned the new transmission far more than the outgoing 6-speed automatic used in the pre-2018 cars, with each of the five driving modes - including Normal, Sport, Track, Snow/Wet, and the new Drag Strip - having received dedicated tuning to work at their peak within the conditions these setting were designed for.
*Judging by that video, there's no way that man would have finished cutting up that cucumber in 4 seconds. Poor example, Ford.
