Ford tweaks 2018 Mustang to fastest pony car ever

Ford Motor Co. said the freshened 2018 Mustang will be its fastest pony car ever, going from zero to 60 in under four seconds with its new optional “drag strip” mode.

The vehicle, which goes on sale later this year, will also gain horsepower and torque over the outgoing model, thanks in part to the automaker’s new 10-speed transmission.

Horsepower for the 5.0-litre V-8 engine jumps to 460 from 435, and torque increases to 420 pounds-feet from 400.

The four-cylinder, 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine gets 310 hp, same as the 2017 model but the torque increases 30 pounds-feet to 350.

Ford said the zero to 60 time for the V-8 engine bests that of the $94,000 Porsche 911 Carrera, saying it is achievable with the automaker’s new “drag strip” mode, which comes as part of an optional performance package.

“Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time. 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,” Mustang’s chief engineer, Carl Widmann, said.

The four-cylinder EcoBoost engine in “drag strip” mode goes from zero to 60 in under five seconds.