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Car and Driver 2018 Mustang GT instrument test

02gtnh

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This test was on the 6 speed manual. Good review, but no auto.

2018 Ford Mustang GT Manual

A new 7400-rpm V-8 and myriad performance options infuse the 2018 Ford Mustang GT with serious capability.

The arrival of the 2016 GT350 made the Mustang GT the middle child of the family overnight. We praised, doted on, and rewarded the GT350, giving it two 10Best awards. But we will admit that its exotic-sounding 8250-rpm 5.2-liter V-8 made us a little neglectful of the rest of the brood. Here we are, in a Mustang GT review, and we still can’t shut up about its big brother. Middle children hate this.

Highs
Meaningful performance improvements, a more involving driver’s car, livable ride quality.

Lows
A bold $50,000 mile-stone for a pony car, the GT350 still exists.

For 2018, Ford makes some changes to the GT that earn it more of our attention. Clearly we are gaga for high-revving V-8s, so we love that the GT’s conventional cross-plane V-8 now revs to 7400 rpm, 400 more than before and a mere 850 short of the GT350’s. Direct injection joins port injection, and the compression ratio rises from 11.0:1 to 12.0:1, bumping horsepower from 435 to 460, or 66 shy of the GT350. Torque rises from 400 pound-feet to 420. Other changes include the swapping of steel cylinder liners for a spray-in coating, a change that increases displacement from 4951 cubic centimeters to 5038. Don’t worry; it’s still a five-oh.

In testing, our six-speed manual (a 10-speed automatic is optional) matched the zero-to-60 time of the outgoing car at 4.3 seconds but opened 0.3-second and 3-mph gaps through the quarter-mile with a 12.6-second run at 115 mph. By 150 mph, the new GT was 2.4 seconds quicker. The extra power isn’t glaringly obvious, but it gives the GT barstool bragging rights over the 455-hp Camaro SS. Just know that if the argument spills into the streets, the Chevy is still quicker.

An optional GT Performance package brings larger front brakes, a limited-slip differential, and Michelin’s newest performance tire, the Pilot Sport 4S, sized 255/40ZR-19 up front and 275/40ZR-19 out back. Choosing the $1695 MagneRide option also inverts the Stang’s front struts and tweaks the spring rates for greater lateral and vertical stiffness.

Cornering grip rises slightly to 0.96 g (we saw 0.94 g in the old model) thanks to the GT Performance pack, but that’s just a number. It wasn’t until we took the GT through the Angeles National Forest that we learned how it has adopted the stability and willingness of the GT350. Body roll is tightly checked, the magnetorheological dampers glue the tires to the tarmac without brutalizing the ride, and the Michelins give more warnings than a TSA officer. Even the electrically assisted steering reacts naturally and has pleasing heft.

The GT starts at $35,995. One like our test car with the new digital instrument cluster, power leather seats, the latest Sync infotainment system, MagneRide dampers, and the GT Performance package pushes $50,000. A GT350 is about $8000 more. Skip a few nonperformance options and you’d have a $44,000 GT, a car we’d never neglect.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-ford-mustang-gt-manual-test-review
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Dominant1

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Blanket statement, enlighten us on why you changed your mind!
 

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Czs550

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Idk why people fret over .1 or .2 seconds in the quarter mile, its so little you wont feel it on a daily basis. Like if the 1le is a tad faster around a track who cares, the cars are so close it doesnt matter. I would rather take the mustang because you can actually see out of it and it has better interior storage and a nicer interior imo. That is a bigger deal then .2 in the quarter. But just because the camaro is a tad faster people freak out and make rash decisions. Just put a cai and tune on the 18 gt and youll be happy and you will also be able to see out of your car
 

GNN60GT500

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Idk why people fret over .1 or .2 seconds in the quarter mile, its so little you wont feel it on a daily basis. Like if the 1le is a tad faster around a track who cares, the cars are so close it doesnt matter. I would rather take the mustang because you can actually see out of it and it has better interior storage and a nicer interior imo. That is a bigger deal then .2 in the quarter. But just because the camaro is a tad faster people freak out and make rash decisions. Just put a cai and tune on the 18 gt and youll be happy and you will also be able to see out of your car
Same could be said 17gt vs 18gt 6m? ; )
 

drabon74

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I was expecting better numbers. Can’t believe nobody has tested the new stand against the current Camaro SS
 

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Chameleon

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I was expecting better numbers. Can’t believe nobody has tested the new stand against the current Camaro SS
Maybe next lightning lap.
 

mustang1

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... and you will also be able to see out of your car
Chevy will sell you the 2SS for an extra $5k which comes with blind spot detection and then you can see out of the car better. I should add that I did not test drive a Camaro so I don't know if this is really an issue. I did test drive a Challenger R/T and I did not like the visibility all that much.
 

GNN60GT500

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Chevy will sell you the 2SS for an extra $5k which comes with blind spot detection and then you can see out of the car better. I should add that I did not test drive a Camaro so I don't know if this is really an issue. I did test drive a Challenger R/T and I did not like the visibility all that much.
If you didn't like visibility in the Challenger you will hate the camaro.
 

MadCow

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A 2018 Mustang 6 speed has already run a 12.2. The top of the Camaro 6 speed list is a 12.1@115. C&D trapped 115. The 2018 Mustang and 2016+ Camaro seem to be pretty much equal in a straight line.
 

Nabush

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For what this test shows is that in term of chassis performance the Camaro is still ahead.

Mustang PP Mag ride with PS4S 0.96g on the Skidpad
70 to 0 : 164 ft

Camaro SS 0.98g on the Skidpad with skinnier/less performing Goodyear Eagle F1
70 to 0 : 147 ft

Camaro SS 1LE : 1.05g
141 ft

We'll have to compare with the PP2 package to see...

A far as acceleration figures in manual the Camaro seems to be faster under 120mph and the Mustang faster above 120 mph...
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