FORD MUSTANG 2018

FORD MUSTANG 2018

Shortly after it debuted in January, we guessed that the updated for 2018 mustang Gt would offer 455 hp. Unfortunately we were wrong. Ford announced today that the 2018 GT actually makes 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and impressively, runs from 0-60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. Sounds good to us.To achieve that acceleration figure, you'll have to order your Mustang GT with Ford's new 10-speed automatic—the same one used in the f-150 raptor—and the Performance Package. The GT actually gets a new Drag Strip mode, which optimizes the transmission for straight-line performance."In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting," said Mustang chief engineer Gene Widmann in a statement. "You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through."

Drag Strip mode is available on manual-transmission Mustangs too, but if you're looking for the quickest acceleration, get the automatic. In Performance-pack equipped GTs, Drag Strip mode also changes the settings of the car's MagneRide dampers, helping increase weight transfer to the rear axle, providing greater traction.
The 2019 Mustang EcoBoost also gets Drag Strip mode, and a torque increase from 320 lb-ft to 350 lb-ft, but power output remains unchanged at 310 hp. When equipped with the 10-speed automatic and the Performance package, the EcoBoost will run to 60 mph in under 5.0 seconds. 

Ford is quick to point out that the GT Performance Package runs to 60 mph quicker than a PDK-equipped Porsche 911 Carrera—a car that starts at $94,000. Pricing for the 2018 EcoBoost starts at $25,585 and $35,095 for the GT. For reference, the 2017 EcoBoost starts at $27,000 and the GT starts at $33,000.
For 2018, the Mustang gets all sorts of welcome improvements. We're especially excited that the GT Performance Package will get magnetic dampers similar to those on the GT350, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires. While we'd still chose the manual, the 10-speed automatic should be a big step forward from the current Mustang's six-speed.

If Ford doesn't increase pricing too much, the Mustang will be a performance bargain. We can't wait to drive it.

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Ford GT Le Mans

Ford GT Le Mans

 As the name suggests, the new Ford GT christened “ Ford GT Le Mans Racer ” will be produced as a tribute to the Ford’s GT40 racing cars of the sixties. The car was showcased earlier in the year during the Detroit Motor Show.

The racing GT will compete at Le Mans in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ford’s GT clean podium swoop in the 1966 race. Unlike its ancestors, the new Ford GT will compete in the LM GTE Pro class. Only a limited number of road-going GT’s will be produced and Ford already says they are oversubscribed; actually only 250 units will be produced per year.

FORD GT LE MANS RACER EXTERIOR

Until its launch, Ford had managed to keep the vehicle under wraps as only a handful of people were aware of its production. The vehicle was produced in a tiny basement room under lock as opposed to one of the studios in the auto maker’s design center.

The body is made from carbon-fiber which has translated to a good-power-to weight ratio. Compared to the road-going GT’s, only the trapezoid-shaped grille and vented hood look similar, the rest of the Racer’s body has been hooked up with modifications to improve its down force and to reduce its drag. At the front, there is a simple bumper, a huge splitter and a pair of canards on each side. There are also uniquely shaped new headlights. There are also plastic caps bolted on the body to resemble the original GT40.

The sides feature large side skirts that integrate exhaust outlets near the rear wheels. At the rear, the GT features a huge wing and its rear bumper has been cut off to make way for a wide diffuser culminating one of the most aggressive rear ends in the LM GTE cars if not the most aggressive.

The car is also wrapped with racing colors of red, white and blue and sponsor stickers together with 24 Hours of Le Mans” racing stickers.  It remains to be seen whether the vehicle is only a Lemans special or whether the car will be used in other championships. The vehicle will ride on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tyres.

FORD GT LE MANS RACER INTERIOR

The cabin we saw during the Detroit debut was too loaded and crowded to take to the racing tracks though the auto maker has confirmed that over 80% of the features will make it to production of road-going models. Therefore, we expect the automaker to remove the main dash area, center console and door panels and replace them with racing gear.

To start with, the automaker will insert a full roll cage so as to comply with FIA’s safety requirements. Carbon-fiber will be a common feature in the Racer’s interior. The instrument cluster will be simplified and hooked up with a multi-function, racing steering wheel. Gone also will be the 2-tone sports seats on the road-going model.

It will be replaced by Alcantara-wrapped carbon-fiber seats which are suitable for racing. The seats will have 6-point harnesses.

ENGINE SPECS AND PERFORMANCE

Ford is still tight-lipped about most details on Ford GT Le Mans Racer power-train. However, we know that the engine will be a 3.5 L, V6 EcoBoost unit. This engine was featured in the IMSA Daytona Prototype in 2014 and returned promising results. The automaker will hook up the engine with race-bred enhancements so as to attain a perfect mix of power and reliability to succeed in races it aims to compete in.

We expect the V-6 engine to deliver in excess of 500 hp. According to the auto maker, the racing car will be lighter than the road-going version.  The engine will be paired with a 7-speed dual –clutch automatic gear box and power will be channelled to rear wheels.

This pairing is expected to push the car to a 200 mph top speed with a 0-60 mph acceleration achieved less than 3 seconds.

PRICE AND RELEASE DATE

The automaker is yet to release official information on the new Ford GT price or expected release date. However, we understand that the vehicle will be priced at around 250,000 pounds.

COMPETITION

Unlike the sixties where it used to dominate the races, the 2016 Ford GT Le Mans Racer will meet other great race cars in its new LM GTE category. There will be the likes of Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 which is the car to beat; in fact it was the 2014 champion in this class at the 24 hours of Le Mans. The Ford GT will also contend with the Corvette C7.R which is another great racing car.

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CORVETTE MID-ENGINE?

CORVETTE MID-ENGINE?

Corvette fans: The car you’ve waited patiently for Chevrolet to build has finally evolved beyond titillating concepts to the engineering mule revealed here. An 82-second strike by our recon op resulted in 15 frames before security narcs dropped the curtain on this black test car—with its two occupants still inside.

Don’t fret over the pointy-pickup camouflage; more attractive attire will follow. Instead take solace in a cabin hugging the front axle, ample space between the cockpit and the rear wheels for the hot parts, and this Corvette’s crouched and ready attitude.

The nose clip is from Holden's Commodore SSV (with even wider flares), while the cabin module, roof, and exterior mirrors are hand-me-downs from today’s Stingray. A Holden SSV ute’s sheetmetal wraps door to door around the heinie. The wing keeps the tail planted during high-speed runs and what could be more practical than the bumper-mounted 2-by-10 for shoving this test sled back to the garage when it breaks down? Other items of note: The fuel-filler located on the driver’s-side B-pillar and the cooling intakes located along the rocker panels.

Scaling the span between the axles using the wheels as guides (we’re estimating them at 19 inches in diameter) yields a projected wheelbase of 98.9 inches, some eight inches shorter than that of today’s Corvette. That blueprint upgrade comes from bumping the transmission from ahead of to behind the rear axle as God and Dr. Porsche intended. A tighter wheelbase quickens steering response and cinches up the turning circle. It goes without saying that at least 60 percent of this probable Corvette ZR1’s mass will be supported by the rear wheels, enhancing launch traction and balls-out braking. There are rumblings that the engine bay may eventually play host to a small, 3.5- to 4.0-liter V-8 with all the fixin’s—meaning no pushrods.

Thus far GM has issued no denials discrediting our most recent and highly detailed mid-engine Corvette forecast. While there’s no fresh intel regarding launch timing, the fact that experimental hardware has left the laboratory suggests that the C8 Zora sports car is on schedule to roll into showrooms in about 20 months as a 2017 model, at which point it will be sold alongside the front-engined Corvette. Place your orders now or find yourself stuck at the back of a long delivery line.

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