2018 Ford Mustang Facelift Brings More Tech, Efficiency, Drops the V6

Not sure about the new headlights, though

2017 brought a much awaited facelift for the Ford Mustang, and now we have all the information about it.

The new car brings a redesigned grille and a lower hood, with new hood vents and a new Orange Fury paint that looks just awesome. Ford also redesigned the LED turn signals and fog lamps, while the LED headlamps are now standard. At the back, the tri-bar LED taillamps were retouched a little, and you can admire a new standard quad exhaust for the GT as well.

We're not so sure about the new headlights, though, which look like they’ve been inexplicably pinched at one end. The current Ford Mustang is a very pleasant car to behold: it looks wide and planted, yet svelte and not-muscle-car-like, while at the same time preserving the decades-old cues that make you instantly recognize it. Those cues are still there even after the facelift the car is set to receive, it’s just that to our eyes they’re not as attractive.

There's more to the new model than these design retouches. Ford dumps the V6, but keeps the 5.0-liter V8, making it more powerful. The same goes for the 2.3-liter EcoBoost, which gains some extra torque. Ford tells us that the power increase was achieved with the first application for Mustang of Ford’s new dual-fuel, high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port fuel injection on a V8 engine, but the exact specs are still to come.

The manual transmission for both engine options has been upgraded for optimal torque delivery. For the V8, the manual transmission has been totally redesigned to include a twin-disc clutch and dual-mass flywheel to increase torque capability and deliver more efficient clutch modulation.

A new 10-speed automatic transmission, available with both the EcoBoost and V8, replaces the old six-speed gearbox, and Ford tells us that it improves responsiveness and performance, with quicker shift times and better fuel efficiency.

Inside, there are small changes, too. The center console adds a new hand-stitched wrap with contrast stitching and padded knee bolsters while door handles, rings and bezels are finished in aluminum. The restyled seating surfaces feature new patterns and color choices, the instrument panel sports an updated Mustang badge and there’s a new key fob design. A heated steering wheel is optional.

The 2018 facelift also brings a new 12-inch all-digital and customizable instrument cluster, the MyMode system with memory function that remembers your driving preferences for the next time you get behind the wheel, and some new driver-assist features such as Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection for increased confidence behind the wheel.

The new 2018 Ford Mustang will go on sale in North America this fall. Tell us what you think about it in the comments section below.