2017 Ford Mustang set for 10-speed auto and magnetised dampers

The Ford Mustang will adopt a 10-speed auto and magnetically adjustable dampers as options for its 2017 update, according to a US dealership insider.

The employee posted the apparent changes on the Mustang6G forum after discovering them on a dealer ordering system.

A 10-speeder for the Mustang is likely to be the ‘SelectShift’ auto offered as an option on some of Ford’s F-150 ute range, and would be expected to at least improve fuel efficiency over the current six-speed auto.

The ‘MagneRide’ magnetorheological suspension would be a natural introduction to regular Mustangs – such an adaptive-damper system is already available on the higher-performance Shelby GT350 version not sold in Australia.

A V6 variant also not imported here looks set to be dropped by Ford, after the dealership employee noted that the computer system produced an “invalid” response against the former codes used for that engine.

The 10-speed auto and MagneRide options are both listed for the 233kW four-cylinder turbo EcoBoost and 306kW V8 GT models that were launched locally in December 2015.

Also detailed are a dual exhaust option, a Carbon Sport package that hints at a possible carbon fibre exterior trim, and two Performance Packages – one general, one specific to GT – and likely to comprise a mixture of the various options.

The Mustang’s MY17 update in the second half of this year introduced three new colours – as well as the more advanced Sync 3 infotainment system. Another three colours will join the palette, based on the dealer information: Kona Blue, Orange Fury, and Royal Crimson.

Ford has sold more than 5000 Mustangs in Australia to the end of October to easily displace the Toyota 86 as the country’s most popular sports car.