Ford’s 2018 Mustang GT out accelerates its GT350 brethren, at least to 60 MPH.
It’s hard to believe at first, but the video speaks for itself. According to Forrest’s Auto Review on his video he posted earlier this week (Nov. 17, 2017) Ford’s new 2018 Mustang GT equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission handily outguns the Ford Mustang GT350 in the sprint to 60 MPH. In these tumultuous times of downsized engines and hybridization, it’s refreshing to see the muscle cars like Ford Mustang are keeping their bigger engines relevant with more gears. Check out the video below to see for yourself.
The video is 20 minutes long but really, the good part starts exactly 19 mins and 36 seconds into the video. According to Forrest, he hit 60 MPH in 4.0 seconds flat which confirms what Ford is claiming. In comparison, Ford’s much hotter Shelby GT350 hits 60 MPH in 4.3 seconds.
Don’t let the manual style shift knob fool you that this is a manually equipped car as you soon find out. Because the inherent nature of having more gears gives the engine a chance to stay in its optimal operating range, the Ford Mustang GT’s 5.0L V8 engine can apply most of its power in each gear.
In addition, it probably helps that new Mustang’s can be ordered with an optional drag mode. What drag mode does is it softens up the rear suspension, that way the weight transfer goes towards the rear giving you more traction.
According to Mustang’s Chief Engineer,
“In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting. You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through.”
The tail of the tape makes this feat even that much more impressive. Stock GT Mustang’s equipped with 5.0 V8’s make 460 HP and 420 lb-ft. For about $20,000 more, you can step up to the track-focused Shelby GT 350 with 526 HP and 429 lb-ft.
Past 60 MPH, my money’s on the Shelby GT 350 to handily beat out its cheaper sibling on the track.
Ultimately, the GT350 is a specialized track machine that needs to hold gears longer instead of hunting around for them like a fuel-saving automatic would. The 10-speed automatic is geared for quick 0-60’s while the GT350 is meant for track use. One’s a stop light to stop light monster while the other is meant to carve corners.
