2018 Ford Mustang gets early revamp in coupe and convertible forms

The Mustang’s importance in Ford’s lineup has grown ever more important since they started to build it in right-hand-drive to cater to more markets, as well as taking on the European market against the continent’s own premium offerings. So just 2 years after the Mustang received an overhaul, Ford has now updated it visually and mechanically to keep it fresh. The 2018 Ford Mustang has dropped the base V6 model to soldier on with just two engine choices, in both coupe and convertible body styles.

The 2018 Ford Mustang sports a different face as the headlamps have now grown smaller and lower along with the grille. The new fascia gives the Mustang a poise of a sports car than that of a burly muscle car. The differences at the rear are only evident in the three-strip LED rear tail lamps.

Ford is dropping the naturally aspirated 3.7-litre V6 from the lineup as it produces less power and has worse fuel economy than the 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-4 which remains in the updated line-up. So if it’s a naturally aspirated Mustang that you want, you have to go for the 5.0-litre V8, the compression ratio of which gets improved from 11:1 to 12:1. This promises to improve fuel efficiency, power output and emissions. No exact figures to back up this statement have been given yet. The 6-speed automatic gearbox makes way for a new 10-speed unit which will be available in both the variants. The 6-speed manual will feature a twin-disc clutch and dual-mass flywheel to handle more torque and for easier handling of the clutch.

Also new for the 2018 Mustang GT is an optional active exhaust that lets drivers increase or decrease exhaust sound. An adjustable magnetic suspension system is also optional as part of a performance pack.

The interior of the Mustang has also been revised to reflect the changes on the exterior. Available is a 12-inch screen in the gauge cluster — a customisable unit that displays vital gauges digitally. For the purists’ happiness, the analogue gauges are available as standard. New premium materials adorn the interior of the 2018 Mustang. Safety systems like Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Driver Alert System finds their place in the new Mustang.

The 2018 Ford Mustang will go on sale from this September in the United States, with a UAE, KSA and GCC debut expected by early 2018. Expect prices to go higher than the current model due to the ditching of the base variant.