2018 Mustang GT500 – A Worthy Successor

Jul 11, 2017 / Ford’s current flagship Mustang is the GT350R which is perfect for track-use but not ideal for daily use. In comparison, their rival does have a more polished car with not only more power but also similar track performance. In order to get back at the top, a new model is going to be released with the 2018 Mustang GT500. So far Ford has been unusually quiet about this new car even though it has been spied numerous times testing around Ford’s Michigan plant. It seems that Ford is still testing the powertrain which is going to be something quite a bit more special than what we were used to.

In Detail

So far all of the predecessors of the GT500 used a supercharged V8 which was massively powerful and also very heavy. On top of that, all of these cars were great in a straight line, but that was about it. The new GT500 will be a completely different monster. The new car will be built on the same platform as the GT350R. This means it will get the same track-ready independent suspension setup but likely larger carbon-fiber Brembo brakes. Also, all the test mules had 20-inch rims wrapped in 305mm section tires both in the front and at the back.

Design

Even though the car is still months away from release, the exterior of the GT500 seems to boast a few interesting quirks. We can expect a large fixed rear wing, a larger front splitter than on the GT350R as well as possibly air canards in the front. With the help of those tires and the downforce provided by these upgrades, the GT500 is expected to become the fastest Mustang ever made. The interior is also going to be quite special. For starters, the car is not going to be stripped out as some suggested. Instead, it will be similarly equipped to a range-topping Mustang in order to also provide comfort and not just raw performance.

Engine

There are current rumors about the 2018 Mustang GT500 being powered by either a 7.0 naturally aspirated DOHC V8 or a 5.2 liter supercharged V8. We are quite sure at this point that none of these is true. Instead, it seems the new GT500 will use Ford’s new twin-turbocharged V8 which has been developed specifically for this application. This became clear a few months ago when test mules of the car have been seen with the “twin-turbo” development stickers. This new engine is likely based on Ford’s 5.2 liter V8, and it should be good for at least 700 horsepower and in excess of 650 lb-ft of torque. In order to handle that power, Ford’s ten speed automatic will most likely be used here.

UPDATE May 3, 2017 / The Mustang has been out for a while, but Ford hasn’t been hurrying with its special edition models. This was mostly because it had no real competitor but this changed not that long ago. Because of that, it seems that Ford is ready to release the fastest and most powerful version of their muscle car yet. The upcoming 2018 Mustang GT500 is going to be a really special car. In fact, this is going to be the first ever production turbocharged V8 Mustang to date.

2018 Mustang GT500 Price and Release date

The car will be based on the same platform as the regular car. However, the entire running gear is expected to be shared with that of the highly capable GT350R. Things like a set of carbon rims, carbon ceramic brakes or fully adjustable dampers might be available. While most of the body on the regular car is made out of steel, the GT 500 is expected to receive carbon fiber hood and trunk, aluminum fenders and doors and likely a titanium roof. These will increase the structural rigidity of the car while decreasing the weight. The car will be released later this year at the same time with the revised regular Mustang. Its price hasn’t been announced, but it seems it will be the most expensive Mustang yet with a starting price close to $100,000.

Inside and Out

The interior of the 2018 Mustang GT500 is going to be very similar to the GT350. However, the car is expected to receive a new digital instrument cluster, suede upholstery as well as a pair of Recaro sports seats. A roll-cage might be installed in the back while the infotainment system could be deleted in order to save as much weight as possible. Its exterior will boast a large fixed wing in the back, likely heat extractors on the hood as well as an adjustable splitter and a massive rear diffuser.

Under the Hood

Thanks to its massive price Ford will not have a problem finding a suitable engine. In fact, it has been confirmed that the 2018 GT500 will use a twin-turbocharged V8, likely a 5.0-liter engine. This all new powertrain could make more than 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. Considering the car will weigh less than 3,500 pounds, all that power routed to the rear wheels via a ten-speed automatic should be explosive. In fact, it seems that it will breach 210 MPH while hitting 60 MPH from a standing start in as little as 2.6 seconds. Unlike its predecessor, this new GT 500 will also be able to go around corners which will likely make it vastly superior to the GT350.

Feb 4, 2017 / Mustang is always in the spotlight and especially GT500 since this is the most powerful Mustang ever produced. When the 2013 model was unveiled at Los Angeles Auto Show in 2011 it had a 32-V eight-cylinder that could generate 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque. It weighed 3,850lbs and could develop 202 mph. Future models came with significant improvements, such as redesigned front fascia, HID headlamps, and LED tail lights. Now the time has come to unveil its successor – 2018 Mustang GT500. Although many features are still unknown some details leaked from Ford.

Platform

According to the official announcements, new GT550 will be based on Ford S550 platform. Thanks to this platform 2018 model will be lightweight which enables better EPA rating, acceleration, and top speed. Both aluminum and carbon will be used. Carbon is going to be used in almost every single part of the car. It will be implemented in front and rear fascia, side panels, hood, etc. This is not the first time Ford uses this platform so we already know what to expect.

2018 Mustang GT500 Specs

Every single Mustang looks outstanding but the true beauty is always hidden underneath the chassis. When it comes to this car everything is about the power and the new Ford Mustang GT500 2018 won’t let you down. Powertrain used by 2013 model delivered the goods and it is difficult to believe they will abandon this unit in the near future. Therefore we strongly believe that the same cylinder will power up the 2018 model. People usually get disappointed when they hear the same engine has been used for several years, but that’s not the case this time. With such an exceptional performance they could use this engine forever.

Thanks to this engine acceleration and top speed are outstanding. It will go from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds! I bet you cannot name a car which is that fast! Top speed should be 205 mph and as you can see there are no significant improvements here. However, fuel consumption should be slightly reduced. According to the unofficial statements, new GT500’s EPA rating stands at 17 mph in a city and 28 mpg on the highway. We advise engineers working at Ford to focus on fuel consumption in the future since this is the biggest drawback of the car. Everything else is just flawless.

2017 Mustang Shelby GT500 Gallery

Safety Features

With great power comes great responsibility hence special focus should be put on safety features. Besides regular safety equipment (seatbelts, airbags, ABS) tech innovations will contribute to the overall safety. Parking assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring system and lane keep assist have become standard features in the car industry.

Exterior and Interior Review

According to the first information, 2018 Mustang GT500 is going to have two grilles, one on top of another, and we expect more changes to be announced. On the other hand, the rear part shouldn’t be much different from the current model. The problem with every Mustang is that it doesn’t offer much space to its passengers. It’s the same thing with the 2018 model but Ford always pays extra attention to convenience.

Reportedly, it is going to be equipped with Recaro seats which should be wrapped in leather. Of course, you shouldn’t worry about technology. Ford has never let us down and the new model is definitely going to have updated tech features. We’re still waiting to see if new features are going to be installed.

The price of the 2018 Mustang GT500 should be around $55,000 and that’s just a starting price. It is not certain how much will cost fully-equipped GT500. When it comes to the release date, there are already some speculations telling us it will hit the market in the last quarter of 2017.

2018 Mustang GT500 Spy photos Gallery

New Mustang GT500 Prototype spotted testing.

Image Sources: motorauthority.com and ford.com