Ford Unveils Refreshed Mustang

2018 Ford Mustang will feature interior and exterior revisions plus a new suspension and 10-speed transmission.

2018 Ford Mustang

In an odd twist to the phrase "timing is everything," Ford chose to unveil a refreshed 2018 Mustang eight days after its press conference at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Be that as it may, we're here to tell you that, despite the many unexplained oddities surrounding the announcement, the wait should be worth it if you're currently on the fence and considering buying one.

For starters, both the front and rear fascias have undergone some changes.

The new nose job includes new upper and lower grilles. Both are placed lower, like the GT 350, while the hood was redesigned, resulting in better aerodynamics. LED front lights and signature lighting is now standard across the lineup.

In back, the LED tail lights were re-shaped, the bumper is new, and there's a new optional high-mounted rear spoiler. GT models also get a standard quad-tip exhaust.

Inside, door handles, trim rings and instrument bezels are now trimmed in aluminum, while the center console gets a padded knee bolster and is trimmed in a contrasting hand-stitched wrap.

Meanwhile, there's a new optional 12-inch LCD display for the instrument cluster that can be customized with three different views for normal, sport and track mode.

The biggest changes, however, have been reserved for the engine, suspension and transmission.

According to Ford, new shock absorbers on all models will offer "better ride control" while a new rear suspension cross-axis joint will improve lateral stiffness. New "MagneRide" damper technology will be offered as an option and new stabilizer bars will "bring sharper response and handling."

Under the hood, the 3.7-liter V6 is being dropped and entry-level engine is now the 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4. Ford has also been busy re-working the 5.0-liter V8 and promises more power and higher revs with a new dual-fuel, high-pressure direct and low-pressure port fuel injection system.

A manual transmission is standard with both engines, with the V8 manual redesigned with a new twin-disc clutch and dual-mass flywheel to better handle the engine's increased torque.

Optional for both engines is a new 10-speed automatic Ford co-developed with General Motors that not only offers better fuel economy, but the ability to be programmed for different shift timing, depending on the drive mode.