It’s All Muscle!
By Charles Donaldson
Bring it forward to the 2018 Mustang GT, which is a state-of-the-art muscle car with more power, cool hi-tech features and a rumbling exhaust that screams pedal-to-the-metal! With an aggressive refresh for the 2018 model year, the Mustang is skinned with a modern exterior design that drives home the spirit of the Pony car.
Also, just announced by Ford, they will stop selling all car models in North America (at the end of the vehicles life cycle) except for the Mustang, which is the most popular vehicle in the sports coupe segment. Thank God that the Mustang lives on!
Pricing and Trims
For 2018, Ford Mustang is available in both fastback and convertible body styles. The fastback comes in the following trim levels: EcoBoost ($26,580), EcoBoost Premium ($31,595), GT ($36,090), GT Premium ($40,090), Shelby GT350 ($58,140), and Shelby GT350R ($65,640). The convertible arrives in the following three trim levels: EcoBoost ($32,080), EcoBoost Premium ($37,095), and GT ($45,590).
What’s new for 2018?
For 2018, the Mustang features a more athletic exterior with a freshly-redesigned front and rear-end that includes a lower, remodeled hood and grille for a meaner and leaner image, with design changes to the rear end. The performance enhancements include a more powerful V-8 engine with an all-new automatic transmission and an improved suspension. Available advanced technologies consist of: a full customizable 12-inch LCD all digital instrument cluster, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Active Valve Performance Exhaust system and SYNC® Connect.
Interior Highpoints
The Mustang’s interior has always been labeled a 2+2, which translates loosely into plenty of room in the front seats, but not much in the rear. No matter how you slice it, the rear seating room is very limited and will only fit two smallish people. I wish Ford would lengthen the Mustang two or three inches to provide a more useable and comfortable rear seating area. Now that they are dropping their sedans, I feel it is even more important to stretch out the Mustang. It will probably never happen!
As the driver, I feel that the front seats were very comfortable. My vehicle was the GT Premium which included leather-lined seats. There is enough room for even tall drivers to fit comfortably. A tilt/telescopic steering wheel complements the driver’s ability to customize their driving position. The center stack sports a pleasant design with an infotainment screen that allows for easy use of the vehicle’s functions like: radio, climate control, phone, navigation, and more. The new carbon-fiber dash adds both an upscale flair and a $1,195 price tag.
Exterior Highlights
As noted earlier, the refresh of the exterior is sharp, with an aggressive front-end. My opinion is that this is the best-looking Mustang ever. Ford paired the new hood with cat-like stare-down LED headlamps. The taillights are new and C-shaped. The rear spoiler lifts just enough to highlight the rear hatch.
Performance Specs
Performance is at the core of the Mustang DNA, offering drivers the thrill of acceleration and handling. For 2018, you have two choices of engines – 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder (310 horses) and the 5.0-liter V-8 that manifests 460 wild ponies. There are two transmission options – an upgraded manual 6-speed and a 10-speed SelectShift® (yes, that is correct) automatic tranny. MagneRide® active suspension is a new option with the Performance Pack. The active damping system uses sensors positioned around the vehicle to adjust the suspension based on various inputs, including speed, steering angle, brake pressure, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, engine torque, drive mode selection, and even outside air temperature.
Cool Features:
Safety Integrity
The 2018 Ford Mustang has a long check list of safety features. Starting with a Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection including distance indication and automatic emergency braking, lane keeping system, and driver alert system. The driver-assist systems use radar and cameras to recognize objects in the road and may take autonomous emergency action – such as braking – to mitigate or avoid a collision. Other safety features include: AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, airbags – driver’s knee, glove-box-door integrated knee and front-seat side, airbags – Side-curtain (fastback), four-wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with power-assisted four-wheel disc, MyKey®, Perimeter Alarm, Rearview camera, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™
In Summary – The 2018 Ford Mustang regenerates the spirit of the muscle car and coerces the pleasure of the open road. My first Mustang was a 1966 coupe and to say that I would enjoy my next vehicle to be a 2018 GT Premium Fastback would not be a stretch. The re-design continues to make it one of the sharpest looking sport coupes and the 5.0-liter V-8 adds to the thrill of the pony legend. Ford keeps boosting the level of technology that both enhance the driving experience and improves the fuel consumption. If you want to have some fun, take the 2018 Mustang out for a spin!
Specifications
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Base price:
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$39,095 as driven: $46,970 (including destination & optional features)
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Engine:
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5.0-liter V-8
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Horsepower:
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460 hp
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Torque:
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420 lb.-ft.
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Transmission:
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10-speed automatic
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Drive:
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Rear-Wheel Drive
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Seating:
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4-passenger
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Cargo space:
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13.5 cubic feet
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Curb weight:
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3,706 pounds
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EPA mileage:
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City 15/Hwy 25/Comb 18 MPG
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Fuel Capacity:
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16 gallons
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Turning Circle:
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37.8 ft.
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Wheelbase:
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107.1 inches
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Warranty:
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3 years/36,000-miles
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Also consider:
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Chevrolet Camaro, Nissan 370Z, Dodge Challenger
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