2018 Ford Mustang GT will be quicker than a Porsche 911

FORD is claiming the next Mustang will be its fastest pony car yet.

The Blue Oval has released details on the new US-spec 2018 Ford Mustang GT, which will arrive Down Under in mid-2018, and the headline act is an impressive 0-60mph (97km/h) sprint time.

Ford claims the V8 Mustang will do the dash in under 4.0-seconds in a special ‘Drag Strip mode’.

The manufacturer is touting this as quicker than a Porsche 911 Carrera, which on paper hits the same marker in 4.4sec using a manual ‘box, or 4.2sec with a PDK auto (4.0sec with PDK and Sport Chrono).

We’ll stop short of backing Ford’s claim as an official figure is yet to be released, and our very own performance testing will reveal the real-world figures.

For reference, the fastest time Wheels has extracted from the current GT Fastback on local soil is 5.0sec to 100km/h and a 13.2sec quarter mile.

It’s also unclear whether this ‘Drag Strip mode’ will be available in Australia or whether it will be left off like the Mustang’s controversial ‘Burnout mode’.

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2018 Ford Mustang GT 12-inch digital dashboard display in Drag Strip mode.

Helping the 2018 Mustang GT achieve its alleged three-point-something second sprint is a power hike from its 5.0-litre V8, which jumps to 343kW and 569Nm, an increase of 37kW/49Nm compared to the current Aussie-spec GT.

That power will be sent through a new 10-speed automatic co-developed with GM and transferred to the ground via custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres, available as part of a new Performance Pack.

The flagship Mustang will have a number of driver modes, with the ‘Drag Strip mode’ doing exactly as it says on the box to help optimise straight-line performance.

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

“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.”

Other drive modes available in the new Mustang will be normal, sport, track, and snow/wet.

Ford isn’t just saving the performance improvements for the V8 flagship either, with four-cylinder EcoBoost owners getting a 40Nm increase in torque over the current model for total outputs of 233kW and 432Nm.

The 2018 Mustang EcoBoost has a claimed sub-five second 0-97km/h sprint, putting it in the same ballpark as an Audi S3.

Interestingly, the press release makes no mention of manual gearbox options. Here’s hoping Ford decides to provide a 2018 Mustang with three pedals and DIY shifter.