The 2018 Ford Mustang GT Has 460 HP and Sprints to 60 MPH in Under 4.0 Seconds

Shortly after it debuted in January, we were left wondering and even a few were speculating what would the 2018 Ford Mustang GT offer as a horsepower and torque rating. Well, the wait is finally over because finally Ford has announced that the 2018 Ford Mustang GT would make 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and impressively, sprint to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, which sounds amazing to us.

To achieve that acceleration figure, you'll have to option your Mustang GT with Ford's new 10-speed automatic—the same one used in the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor and even the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 —and the Performance Package. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT actually gets a new Drag Strip mode, which optimizes the transmission for straight-line performance at your local drag strip. 

"In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting," said Mustang chief engineer Gene Widmann in a statement. "You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through."

Drag Strip mode is also available on manually equipped 2018 Ford Mustang GTs, but if you're looking for the quickest acceleration time, you will have option for the automatic. In Performance-pack equipped 2018 Ford Mustang GT's, Drag Strip mode also changes the settings of the car's MagneRide dampers, helping increase weight transfer to the rear axle during launch, providing greater traction.

The 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost also gets Drag Strip mode, and a torque increase from 320 lb-ft to 350 lb-ft, but power output remains unchanged at 310 hp. When equipped with the 10-speed automatic and the Performance package, the EcoBoost will run to 60 mph in under 5.0 seconds.

Ford is also quick to point out that the 2018 Ford Mustang GT that is equipped with the Performance Package runs to 60 mph quicker than a PDK-equipped Porsche 911 Carrera—a car that starts at $94,000. Pricing for the 2018 Mustang won't be announced until tomorrow, but for reference, the 2017 Ford Mustang EcoBoost starts at $27,000 and the 2017 Ford Mustang GT starts at $33,000.

For 2018, the Ford Mustang gets all sorts of welcome improvements. We're especially excited that the GT Performance Package will get magnetic dampers similar to those on the GT350, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires. While we still favor banging gears, the 10-speed automatic should be a big step forward compared to the current 6R80.

If Ford doesn't increase pricing too much, the 2018 Ford Mustang will be a performance bargain. We can't wait to drive it.