Rendering: GT350 in 2018 Body Style

88mph · Jan 20, 2017

Ericc B said:
I could be wrong of course but it makes absolutely no sense to me that the 2018 GT350's would keep the current headlights and not get a makeover as well. I think the only reason why Ford mentioned that they 'were not going to change' is because if they didn't they would basically have admitted that a facelifted 2018 was coming, which at that point in time was still unconfirmed.

Btw quality job on the X-Tomi shop with the fenders and everything, it looks freakin' realistic! Also shows how the new hood vents were designed with stripes in mind. And how wrong Ford is to drop Grabber Blue.

I believe there is one big reason why not updating the design to the new 2018 facelifted model makes sense:

Lets remember that the GT350 front end (which is different to the 2015-2017 GT) was designed from the ground up to consider performance requirements of the new 5.2 FPC Vodoo engine (hood vent), among other performance upgrades (like brake ventilation, aerodynamics, etc.). This redesign for the GT350 had a monetary cost and, if they want to change the styling again to include the 2018 changes, then they have to invest more money all over again in order to comply with the performance considerations of the current GT350.

Additionally to the money investment you also need time for R&D, so it makes perfect sense for me that Ford keeps the 2015-2017 styling in the GT350 at least for the 2018 model. What happens in 2019 or further? Well... yeah, I can see the possibility of a styling change happening but I wouldn't be a 100% sure.

My bet is that they will end GT350 production by the 2018 MY and then they will be upgrading the motor (and other performance upgrades), applying 2018 GT facelift external changes (with a Shelby twist) and call it a GT500 or something similar.

davejonnes · Jan 20, 2017

Look nice, but the original looks so much more aggressive, and less "forced":

lemers · Jan 20, 2017

88mph said:
I believe there is one big reason why not updating the design to the new 2018 facelifted model makes sense:

Lets remember that the GT350 front end (which is different to the 2015-2017 GT) was designed from the ground up to consider performance requirements of the new 5.2 FPC Vodoo engine (hood vent), among other performance upgrades (like brake ventilation, aerodynamics, etc.). This redesign for the GT350 had a monetary cost and, if they want to change the styling again to include the 2018 changes, then they have to invest more money all over again in order to comply with the performance considerations of the current GT350.

Additionally to the money investment you also need time for R&D, so it makes perfect sense for me that Ford keeps the 2015-2017 styling in the GT350 at least for the 2018 model. What happens in 2019 or further? Well... yeah, I can see the possibility of a styling change happening but I wouldn't be a 100% sure.

My bet is that they will end GT350 production by the 2018 MY and then they will be upgrading the motor (and other performance upgrades), applying 2018 GT facelift external changes (with a Shelby twist) and call it a GT500 or something similar.

If I were a betting man...Id bet that some of the R&December from the GT350 went into the redesign of the 2018. That whole front end being lower ended up on the 2018.

Why not keep the GT350 along side the GT500? ADMS might be bad; bit they prove that there is still a higher price range for specialty Mustangs. Also this gives FP to have a track specialty and a drag specialty without needing a Jack of all trades car.

Ifor it were me (and I know it isnt) I'd position the GT350 as the affordable performance mustang costing just less than the Base corvettes and the GT500 would be the Balls to the Wall Z06 killer.

88mph · Jan 20, 2017

lemers said:
If I were a betting man...Id bet that some of the R&December from the GT350 went into the redesign of the 2018. That whole front end being lower ended up on the 2018.

lol yep, you are probably right!

lemers said:
Why not keep the GT350 along side the GT500? ADMS might be bad; bit they prove that there is still a higher price range for specialty Mustangs. Also this gives FP to have a track specialty and a drag specialty without needing a Jack of all trades car.

Ifor it were me (and I know it isnt) I'd position the GT350 as the affordable performance mustang costing just less than the Base corvettes and the GT500 would be the Balls to the Wall Z06 killer.

This would be great! However Ford has never had the balls in the past to produce GT350s and GT500s simultaneously. Although I agree with you in that it would be great if they'd do that!

I'm just hoping they never change the styling of the GT350 to the 2018 one, I just hate those new headlights :doh:

lemers · Jan 20, 2017

88mph said:
lol yep, you are probably right!

This would be great! However Ford has never had the balls in the past to produce GT350s and GT500s simultaneously. Although I agree with you in that it would be great if they'd do that!

I'm just hoping they never change the styling of the GT350 to the 2018 one, I just hate those new headlights :doh:

The only part of the new headlights I like are how there is some bends at the tips of the Tribar DDLs

88mph · Jan 20, 2017

lemers said:
The only part of the new headlights I like are how there is some bends at the tips of the Tribar DDLs

Agreed! That's a nice touch I'd like to see on our 2015-2017 headlights. But turning down the angle of the external tips was a bad move (IMO). They removed the "shark" design they originally went for the S550 generation. Also there's a werid hole below the tribar lights that looks odd (and will be hell to clean the insects caught inside it).

Another nice but subtle change in the 2018 facelift is the angle they gave to the tail lights. If they can be fitted to the 2015-2017 models I might consider installing them on my car.

lemers · Jan 20, 2017

88mph said:
Agreed! That's a nice touch I'd like to see on our 2015-2017 headlights. But turning down the angle of the external tips was a bad move (IMO). They removed the "shark" design they originally went for the S550 generation. Also there's a werid hole below the tribar lights that looks odd (and will be hell to clean the insects caught inside it).

Another nice but subtle change in the 2018 facelift is the angle they gave to the tail lights. If they can be fitted to the 2015-2017 models I might consider installing them on my car.

Yes, I thought about the tail lights too. But I'm not sure if it's enough of a difference to justify the cost for me. Now the 2012 to 2013 change is a different story.

151831d1332282726-2013-mustang-tail-light-question-2010_v_2013_mustang_taillight_compare_resize.jpg

Hi-PO Stang · Jan 20, 2017

The 2018 Mustang GT received such a big refresh that took a lot of effort from the Ford design team. I am willing to bet the 2019 GT350 will be the next Mustang to get a refresh and a big bump up in horsepower. I agree with the posts that have suggested the GT350 will be less expensive than the Hellcat slayer. I expect the Hellcat slayer to be produced in very limited numbers and cost 80 + thousand.

El Diablo · Jan 20, 2017

Hi-PO Stang said:
The 2018 Mustang GT received such a big refresh that took a lot of effort from the Ford design team. I am willing to bet the 2019 GT350 will be the next Mustang to get a refresh and a big bump up in horsepower. I agree with the posts that have suggested the GT350 will be less expensive than the Hellcat slayer. I expect the Hellcat slayer to be produced in very limited numbers and cost 80 + thousand.

No GT350 scheduled for 2019.

88mph · Jan 20, 2017

El Diablo said:
No GT350 scheduled for 2019.

Still EOP date not confirmed... so anything can happen even when 2019 is not scheduled yet.

krt22 · Jan 20, 2017

88mph said:
Still EOP date not confirmed... so anything can happen even when 2019 is not scheduled yet.

True, but if Ford planned 2 more years of production, why not have dealers signup for a 2 year plan like they did for 2016/2017. As it stands the 2018 shelby was only a single year program

HISSMAN · Jan 20, 2017

Look at all of the opposing angles!

Armen · Jan 20, 2017

The render looks really good. Makes me think GB should still be a color choice.

But it doesn't look mean enough to carry the GT350 emblem tho.

Hack · Jan 20, 2017

I like the renders of the GT350 version, although the 3 scoops on the hood are a little odd. I do think the 2018 looks better than the 2015-2017 cars. Less of the catfish mouth going on.

MadCow · Jan 20, 2017

The GT350 render looks great

chrisvr6 said:

That stripe makes it look like a CARS movie car with mascara on.

Rendering: GT350 in 2018 Body Style

88mph

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