When Ford Motors released the 2018 Ford Mustang Coupe, many enthusiasts wondered whether the automaker had decided to discontinue the convertible. However, 3 days after the launch of the coupe, Ford released photos of the convertible variant. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Convertible is identical to the coupe in all departments except for the drop-top roof. The timing of the release was meant to capitalize on the Mustang’s newfound success. In America, the Mustang is the best-selling sports car. Although the European market had eluded the Mustang for long, for the first time ever, the model ended last year as the best-selling sport car in Europe. It is also the most in-demand sports car after managing to win customers away from the Audi TT, a model that held the best-selling sports car crown in Europe for long. Read along to find out more:
2018 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Exterior
The new visual modifications make the Mustang look more polarizing than ever. At the front, the new look is characterized by a new grille with a trapezoidal opening at the lower part. Flanking the grille are smaller LED headlights and heritage-laced strips of LED DRLs. The front bumper has also been revised while the hood sits much lower. On the sides, the model features LED light strips in place of triangular-shaped units in the last model.
The rear carries over almost unchanged except for the revised taillights, a new diffuser as well as a modified license plate recess. Models powered by the EcoBoost mill features dual exhaust pipes while the GT features quad pipes with a race-inspired center section.
There are three new exterior colors i.e. Kona Blue, Orange Furry and Royal Crimson. In addition, the Mustang will feature 12 new wheel designs.
2018 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Interior
Except for the open roof that offers all the headroom in the world, the convertible is identical to the coupe. Like the coupe, the convertible flaunts the new instrument cluster, a new feat for the Mustang. The 12-inch LCD offered as an option has three views that can also be customized depending on the driver’s preferences. The screen can be configured to display various information for the vehicle’s Normal, Sport and Track driving modes. The automaker has also hooked up the Mustang with a new adaptive suspension dubbed the MagneRide borrowed from the Shelby GT350.
Being a performance-oriented car, the Mustang packs high-tech features; these features include various electronic driving aids such as a pre-collision assist system with the pedestrian detection system, a lane-departure warning system, distance alert as well as a lane-keep assist. Buyers can also opt for the FordPass, a Smartphone app that allows the driver to lock, unlock, start or even locate the car in a parking lot.
The images presented by the automaker highlight the instrument cluster with a 1,964.5 numbering on its odometer, a reference to the first generation of Mustangs which arrived at dealer showrooms as 1964.5 models. The 289 miles reading is a representation of the first-gen GT’s 289-cubic-inch V-8 mill.
Engine Specs and performance
Like the coupe, Ford will also not use the naturally aspirated 3.7 L, V-6 on the drop-top version. Therefore, the base mill will be a turbocharged 2.3 L EcoBoost 4-cylinder mill. The automaker revealed that this engine will get a power increase but did not reveal the actual numbers. Buyers looking to get more “juice” from their convertible will have an option to go for the 5.0 L, V-8 engine.
For 2018, this engine will feature direct as well as port fuel injection which will help increase output as well as improve its fuel efficiency. The engines will be mated either to a 6-speed manual gearbox or to the new 10-speed automatic gearbox. The systems channel power to the rear wheels. The brand-new, 10-speed automatic gearbox improves low-speed acceleration while still boosting fuel economy. According to Ford, the system also features real-time adaptive shifting to ensure the right gears are selected.
According to social media discussions, the images presented feature the car in the fourth gear at a 55 mph speed that hint at a possible 455 lb-ft of torque. The 4700 rpm may be a hint of 470 hp output. These are mere speculations and official figures will be released later on. If this were to be true, the Mustang will be more powerful than the 6th-Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Price and release date
Ford is yet to communicate the official release date of the Mustang or its official prices. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Convertible will likely arrive at dealerships late this year or early next year. The convertible will first tour 50 regional shows before being delivered to dealerships.
If only they had included the flat crank shaft from the GT 350…