F.E.N.A 2018 Mustang review chat

[HSE2]

Some say......

And it’s all true. Yes that is right, this week we will be reviewing the 2018 model mustang with 10 speed auto.

Stay tuned to our social media channels and any questions you have, post them here.

[HSE2]

The introduction.

What are we expecting?

It’s hard to image there isn't a noticeable difference in character. That's a decent step up in engine to the point that we have gone from the analogy of XR6T sort of feel towards GT 335 and above.

It looks like this version of the coyote is closer to 500 Bhp which goes some way to explaining packages such as 400 kws. You aren't starting 339kws in the first place if that makes sense or if you prefer, we gain 33kws claimed on paper to see around 50-60kw gain at the wheel’s dyno for dyno.

T/B of the Miami previously explained what our engine was doing. With no Force induction under the hood of our test car, some of the gain can be explained by transmission efficiency but surely not all.

MPH from the states at the end of the quarter support this car being 500 BHP in the old money.

In our previous reviews I felt the mustang was susceptible from the rear. The change of tyre fitted to Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, by itself, might just be enough to address that concern. However, the increased grip has seen Ford adjust toe linkages in the rear of the 18 model as well as in increase in sway bar.

We, both Andrew and I rated the driving experience highly so, well yes then...….. Watch this space.

The initial test was all about what the car was like to live with, earning it our highest award of daily duties transport of choice. It, as do most cars, have some ergonomic challenges but this time we won’t be looking to rehash old ground.

We previously set some assumptions to play surrounding residual values and if it would make sense to trade up. We pondered if Mustang might be a once in a life time tick of box prospect on the move to something else.

With this in mind we will explore the new look. I go into the review thinking the superseded was the perfect model to go global with. Retro that indeed worked very well.

The newer version hints at the future which is essential in a global market. I think perhaps the new look dates the previous generation but that's not always definitive. There is possibly much to be said about that retro style and being more traditional at the same time. We will take a look at this while we have it.

The big one is the transmission.

Is 10 speeds too much? I go in wondering how I will use them. Will it respond to my satisfaction. The car will have to get Andrew's seal of approval and that won't be easy in this aspect of the review.

There is no doubt it’s the performance option to get but what about driving it? I also encountered an accelerator actuation concern during our last auto review, so I get to check that out as well.

We, I differed with much of the media and said the exhaust note was fine. It has gone to 11 now with options of sound output. We will be checking that out and more, so I hope you can join us through the next few days for our thoughts as it happens.

[HSE2]

So after 1 day we are on our way to Sydney to pick up a Raptor.


No point wasting any more time on this car.

Whatever you have to do, whatever it takes, just go get one.

That’s all.

[4Vman]

Thoughts on the Exhaust note and 10speed?

[HSE2]

Pretty much covered in both videos on our FB page but the exhaust, still laughing.

The auto, and review of this car will be controversial on these grounds. It will come back to manual v auto.


I think many of the points I have previously made on this subject is something Andrew can see if not agree with.


This isnt a soft option.

[flappist]

So after 1 day we are on our way to Sydney to pick up a Raptor.


No point wasting any more time on this car.

Whatever you have to do, whatever it takes, just go get one.

That’s all.

There is one up here. One of my people is trying REALLY hard to take it home. It has a 12 speed auto so I am told.

[HSE2]

[HSE2]

The proper review will take some time to construct so I thought I would briefly just describe what the MY 18 is like.

Its goes something like this.

It's not evolution, its more a revolt. This is stand back, hold my beer, I have arses to kick, story time folks.

I subjected as many people as I could to this mustang. If we needed stuff from the shop, it was, “come on we will take the stang”

The reaction was pretty much, are "you for real"?

There was one comment, "has this thing got straight pipes"?

Its not an accident this thing has a silent mode.

I can actually picture a Ford engineer taking this car home and pissing off not only his next door neighbour but the entire street. And the next street over and maybe the one after that.

At bathurst for example sound travels and it so happened we had the Ford GT and GT4 minders staying across the road. It gets to a point where you do get conscious of its capability. If you allow it a cold start in any mode other than silent, you are going to create attention.

Similar to what occurred in the town of...…….. and …………. and then again in ………….. and ……………

Get the picture?

Dynamically only the brakes are the same and they are awesome.

They have fixed the rear for me. I know they have changed it because its the one thing I did discover in the specs when I was researching for something to say in our social media videos.

In fixing the rear, there is something different about the front. There I am on record now and can’t take it back.

I know this because the steering mode I was happy with previously isn't the mode I needed this time. If it were just me I think you guys could be justified in asking if it was actually me last time that was wrong.

That's where Mr Capt Slow comes in.

More on that in the proper section.

Speaking of Mr Slow, it was me who wanted to take the auto. I asked for it and did so knowing Andrew represents you hard core manual guys out there.

If there are two boxes, one for manual and one for auto, he ticks the manual box three times.

Cant wait to see what he says this time.

And the engine.

Damn.

Boy this thing moves. Really really impressed with its ability to get to 60, 80 and 100kph.

I do have a lot to say and explaining to do.

I need to go away now and research what's different about the front end. Its not just tyres, something is different and I don't think its my imagination. When I understand that I will write up the proper review.

Till that occurs I have this to say.

If you drove the last model and wasn't happy with it, test drive this one or take my word for it, go order one.
If you own the last version, If its for retro reasons or you have invested in modifications, ok what you have is great.

This however is a generation ahead of that car. It would be wrong to say this is the stang we should have had but its is the mustang experience everyone needs to know about.

This is Mustang redefined, and its glorious. You need to know that.

[FTe217]

So, have you 2 placed an order ?

[WASP]

I'm excited. I need to sell something