It wasn’t too long ago the Ford Mustang was finally put on sale officially in the UK – having arrived here in 2016 for the first time in the iconic model’s 44-year history. Demand has been huge on this side of the pond, with the firm claiming to have sold more than 33,000 units since arriving in Europe.
It’s not sitting around on that initial success though. For 2018, the Mustang has been refreshed with more tech, fresh looks and increased power in an effort to carry on that success. We take a closer look at what’s new.
A fresh face
The new Ford Mustang carries over the core look of the outgoing model, but it does bring a number of tweaks to keep it up to date.
At the front there’s a revised lower front grille, the addition of a front splitter for more downforce and new bonnet with integrated air intakes to help keep the engine cool. As for the rear, a redesigned bumper and diffuser feature while a new optional boot spoiler is also available.
A way to keep your neighbours happy (or to annoy them)
If you want to take your muscle car out for a drive in the early hours, but don’t want to disrupt your neighbours, the Mustang’s new active exhaust has the solution for you.
Dubbed ‘Good Neighbour Mode’, there’s a configurable timer on the system that keeps it in ‘quiet’ mode between selected hours – so not to disturb the peace around you.
Alternatively, there’s also a ‘race track’ setting, which lets the 5.0-litre V8 engine scream at the top of its voice. That’ll teach Gareth next door not to badly play Muse’s Hysteria on his car boot sale electric guitar at 3am.
Even more power
The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine might be something of a dinosaur in modern terms, but that hasn’t stopped Ford taking it up a notch for 2018.
There’s more power from the brute – up to 444bhp from 410bhp – which has resulted in a quicker 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and a 155mph top speed. It’s still not exactly efficient, returning 22.8mpg on the combined cycle, but who cares when it sounds so good?
Rev-matching technology that makes you look like a pro
If you’re struggling to perfect the heel-toe technique on your downshifts, then this new gadget on the Mustang has you covered.
Rev-matching technology works by “blipping” the throttle during downshifts, resulting in a smoother gear change that allows you to carry more speed through corners.
It’s not an entirely new thing in the motoring world – previously appearing on the likes of the Nissan 370Z, a number of Porsches and the Ford Focus RS – but this is the first time we’ve seen it on a Mustang.
A 10-speed automatic gearbox (Yep, 10)
Ok, 10 gears may sound absolutely ridiculous on any car – let alone a muscle car – but this new transmission has proven to be a fantastic addition to the Mustang.
Derived from the Ford F-150 Raptor (yes, it comes from a pick-up truck), this automatic box is far from sluggish – great for performance driving – and the addition of two extra gears means cruising at motorways speeds is more comfortable and more efficient than before.
Clever new suspension
If you fancy paying an extra £1,600, you can have your Mustang fitted with seriously clever ‘MagneRide’ suspension.
It’s a complicated thing, using a fluid that can be magnetically stimulated to change the resistance of the dampers, but the end result is a car that can do it all. Switch to Sport+ mode, and the suspension will firm up to deliver an uncompromised driving experience – which can then be switched up to a more relaxing ride for motorway miles at the touch of a button. We’d definitely spec this on our Mustang.
Improved safety
Ford has been on a mission to take the Mustang from two stars to three for Euro NCAP’s safety ratings, throwing more tech at the car to do so.
This means the ‘stang now has Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Keeping Aid, along with the existing Adaptive Cruise Control and Auto Emergency Braking systems. You can cruise along in your new muscle car with an eased mind.