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Wheels:
2018 Mustang makes burnouts an automatic thing with state-of-the-art electronic line-lock

Old-school purists may scoff, and newbies may get over eager, but either way get ready to Burn, Baby, Burn at the touch of a button.

The smell of burning rubber may get a little more common this fall when Ford expands the availability of electronic line-lock on the 2018 Mustang. The track-exclusive feature -- previously available only on the V8-powered Mustang GT -- will be standard on all pony cars, including those equipped with 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engines.

The feature is available with either the 10-speed SelectShift automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

On models equipped with an available 12-in., all-digital instrument display, drivers will see an industry-first: a video-game-like animation of a spinning alloy wheel kicking up a cloud of smoke to indicate when the electronic line-lock feature is activated.

"Burnouts just never get old, no matter how old you are and how many times you've done them," says Vaughn Gittin Jr., Formula Drift Champion. "Who would have thought that we would see an EcoBoost Mustang producing 15 seconds of fury like this?"

To introduce the new updates to the world, Vaughn randomly recruited pedestrians in Southern California to join him at Irwindale Speedway, where he put them behind the wheel of a new Mustang to lay rubber. It's a cliche marketing move, but at least you get to see the car interior and some functions.

VIDEO: You could use a burnout -- 2018 Ford Mustang.

Electronic line-lock is traditionally used by drag racers ahead of the starting line to heat up the tire rubber for improved traction when the start light goes green. The feature leverages state-of-the-art software technology that also allows amateur race car drivers, particularly those competing in bracket racing, to achieve more consistent performance times.

Using steering wheel-mounted thumb switches, a driver toggles through a menu on the instrument cluster to activate electronic line-lock. Once engaged, the system builds pressure on the front brake calipers. Another button press holds the pressure for up to 15 seconds, allowing the driver to hit the throttle and spin the rear wheels while the car stays in place.

An available Pony Package for the 2018 Mustang, offered with EcoBoost-equipped cars, gives a nod to the nameplate heritage with its grille-mounted pony-in-corral badge design.

 

 

Ford says that electronic line-lock is one of many changes fans will see when the newest version of the iconic pony car -- complete with lots of retro touches -- races into showrooms in October, offering:

• A sleeker design featuring a more athletic stance, with a new front and rear end for a leaner, meaner look;
• More advanced technology, including the available 12-in., all-digital instrument cluster that can be customized, MyMode with memory function that remembers driving preferences, and new driver-assist features such as Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection;
• Improved performance with powerful engine upgrades, plus an all-new available 10-speed automatic transmission for quicker shift times and improved fuel economy;
• An available MagneRide suspension for optimum handling; and
• An available active valve performance exhaust for Mustang GT for more control.

More about the 2018 Mustang line
Ford's most advanced and powerful Mustang GT is also the fastest ever, achieving 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds in Drag Strip mode.

2018 Ford Mustang GT.

 

 

The new Mustang is also faster than a $94,000 Porsche 911 Carrera, which Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer, attributes to four main factors:

1. Improved horsepower and torque output of the redesigned 5.0-liter V8;
2. Maximum acceleration of available Drag Strip mode;
3. Quicker, smoother shifting of the available 10-speed SelectShift transmission; and
4. Optimized traction courtesy of the available custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires on the new Performance Pack.

"Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time," says Widmann. "In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn't drop when you're shifting. You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through, thanks to our new Ford-built 10-speed transmission."

The car's 5.0-liter V8 now features dual-fuel, high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port fuel injection technology for increased power and efficiency. The engine's 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque represent improvements over the current model's 435 hp and 400 lb-ft. The result is an engine that delivers low-end torque, high-rpm power, and improved fuel efficiency.

Drivers of the EcoBoost-equipped Mustang also will feel increased power on the strip. The retuned EcoBoost four-cylinder generates 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque -- a 30 lb-ft gain over the current model. In Drag Strip mode with Performance Package and the 10-speed automatic, the 2018 EcoBoost-powered Mustang posts an impressive 0-to-60-mph time of under 5 seconds.

Wait, what's Drag Strip mode? This is one of five driver-selectable modes available for 2018. It has been designed to provide maximum acceleration and performance for straight-line driving. Drag Strip mode is primarily controlled by the transmission and delivers a significant acceleration boost, eliminating the lost time usually associated with automatic shifting.

The new 10-speed transmission, with a wide-ratio span and optimized gear spacing, helps deliver higher average power for acceleration, resulting in improved responsiveness and performance. The 10-speed architecture features Ford-patented power flow and Ford-patented direct-acting hydraulic controls. It's designed for optimum ratio progression and efficiency, and it provides more accurate, quicker upshift and downshift capability.

In addition, an all-new electronic control system features real-time adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms engineered to help ensure the right gear is engaged at the right time, including skip-shift and direct downshift capability.

Compared to the outgoing six-speed, the new 10-speed automatic has quicker shift times and better low-speed tip-in response. It's uniquely tuned for all five drive modes: normal, sport, track, Drag Strip, and snow/wet. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles allow drivers manual control.

"Gearing matters, and in Drag Strip mode, this car launches better than ever off the line," says Widmann.

And in truly a muscle car first, the Mustang GT sports a soft side too called "Good Neighbor" mode. While some sports cars offer active exhaust systems with on/off functionality, Mustang's Quiet Start is the first to allow scheduling of times. Using steering wheel-mounted thumb controls, drivers toggle through a menu in the instrument cluster to select when they want to fire up their Mustang GT without sharing the event with neighbors. For example, between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., drivers can keep the peace by scheduling their car to start, minus the roar.

Both new Quiet Exhaust mode and Quiet Start features will be part of the available active valve performance exhaust system on the new Mustang GT, along with different exhaust volumes for Normal, Sport, and Track modes, giving customers more choice than ever before.

But how much is it? Well, you can build and price your very own 2018 Mustang by visiting www.ford.com/mustang/2018. (Hint: Base Ecoboost Fastback starts at $25,585, Ecoboost Premium starts at $30,600, GT Fastback starts at $35,095, and the GT Premium Fastback starts at $39,095. The Shelby GT350, which deserves an article on its own, starts at $57,145.) The new Mustang is due to reach showrooms this fall.

Source: Ford Motor Co.

Published August 2017

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