Automotive

Drag Strip mode dips Mustang GT into sub-4-second 0-60 mph bracket

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The new Ford Mustang V8 has a special Drag Strip mode
Ford is offering special, sticky Michelin rubber on the new Mustang
The new Ford Mustang V8 has a special Drag Strip mode
The new Mustang GT will hit 60 mph in less than four seconds
A look at the new Mustang, which will hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds 
Behind the wheel of the Mustang GT 
Ford wants the Mustang to shade its muscle car rivals on the drag strip
The new instrument cluster in the Mustang GT 
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Modern muscle cars are smarter, better handling beasts than their basic predecessors, but that doesn't mean they've forgotten their roots. The current Mustang introduced electronic line lock to drag racers, but that's no longer the only piece of tech Ford offers for a quicker run down the strip – now it's giving the Mustang Drag Strip mode.

With the new Drag Strip mode engaged, the upcoming Mustang GT V8 manages to sneak under four seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h), making it the quickest ever Pony to roll from the Ford stable. The new drive mode is relatively simple – it keeps the engine on the boil while the gearbox shifts, so drivers have peak power and torque as soon as the next gear is engaged – but it's undoubtedly effective. Not only will it outrun the current Mustang GT, but it puts the new 'Stang on par with a base Porsche 911 Carrera.

Not everyone will be able to match those figures in the real world. For one, owners will need to fork out for the optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, and cars with the six-speed manual gearbox will be slower than those with the optional 10-speed automatic. Ford says the new 10-speeder shifts faster than the outgoing six-speed unit, and has the ability to skip gears for the smoothest, most efficient forward progress.

The new instrument cluster in the Mustang GT 

Of course, more power is also a part of the equation for the quicker Mustang. The GT V8 has been boosted from 435 hp (325 kW) to 460 hp (343 kW), and torque has increased 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) to 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) as well. Ford is claiming better fuel efficiency from the uprated motor, thanks largely to the smart new automatic gearbox.

Although its figures aren't as impressive, the EcoBoost Mustang also benefits from Drag Strip mode. With 310 hp (231 kW) of power and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque on tap, it'll hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than five seconds. Impressive, but we're going to withhold full judgement until Ford proves it knows how to make a turbocharged four-cylinder engine sound tough.

"Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time," said 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... Gearing matters, and in Drag Strip mode, this car launches better than ever off the line."

Ford has put together a quick video of people doing things in four seconds, along with some footage of the Mustang jumping off the line, below.

Source: Ford

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2 comments
Bob
Almost any car over 400 hp at the rear wheels can break them loose at any speed under 60 mph. The performance return on higher horsepower diminishes rapidly over 400 hp. Tires become the main issue. Rear wheel drive has pretty well bumped up against the limit. Future muscle cars will have to become all wheel drive to efficiently use any additional horsepower. $450 rear tires on my Corvette make burnouts a very expensive hobby.
Martin Hone
Last I heard, a drag strip was a quarter mile, so where is the qtr. mile time ?