2018 Ford Mustang (facelift) spotted in India for the first time
The 2018 Ford Mustang that debuted at NAIAS 2017 in January last year has finally reached India. The facelifted model was recently spotted in the country at what looks like a dealership yard, courtesy Facebook page Automobili Ardent.
The 2018 Ford Mustang features a sleeker design and a more athletic stance, with an updated front-end and rear-end. The new headlights, although more aggressive, have created a polarising look. More changes at the front include lower, remodelled bonnet, with integrated air vents, wider radiator grille, sharper bumper, wider, inverted lower air intake and new turn signals.
The new Ford Mustang’s fenders look wider and more pronounced. New 19-inch forged alloy wheels in different designs and Nickel, Ebony Black and Polished Aluminium finishes are available internationally.
At the rear, the tri-bar tail lights are now angled at top and bottom. Other changes include revised centre panel with new horizontal creases, new license plate indentation in an enclosed hexagonal shape, remodelled bumper, quad exhausts (in place of dual exhausts), deeper recessed areas in the lower air dam, larger reverse lamp and a performance spoiler. Kona Blue, Orange Fury and Royal Crimson are the new additions to the available exterior colours. Inside, the main update is the incorporation of a 12-inch fully digital instrument cluster.
Ford will offer the 2018 Ford Mustang in India in the top-of-the-line GT model. The (Euro-spec) 2018 Ford Mustang GT is powered by the 5.0-litre Ti-VCT that produces 450 PS and 527 Nm of torque. The maximum power has increased by 34 PS, while the maximum torque has reduced by 3 Nm.
Like now, the Indian-spec version may have a slightly detuned engine. The Euro-spec pre-facelift model’s engine has a tuning of 416 PS and 530 Nm, while the Indian-spec version (pre-facelift model)’s engine delivers 401 PS and 515 Nm of torque. The new Mustang GT has a 10-speed automatic transmission as a replacement for the 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s unknown whether Ford will offer a 6-speed manual transmission in our market or not.
Apart from the new automatic transmission, there are several more mechanical changes in the facelifted Ford Mustang. Ford has recalibrated the shock absorbers for improved cornering stability and stiffened the rear suspension with a cross-axis joint that reduces unwanted movement at each corner that can lead to body flex. More enhancements include thicker anti-roll bars, MagneRide Damping System (optional) and Active Valve Performance Exhaust technology for adjustable exhaust note intensity.
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The 2018 Ford Mustang could start at around INR 75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The pre-facelift Ford Mustang costs INR 71,62,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).
[Image Source: Facebook]