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2018 Ford Mustang Looks To Be In For A Significant Power Boost With 7,500 RPM Redline

Ah, the pony car wars: they are alive and well. The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro arrived on the scene a couple years ago and absolutely clobbered the Mustang in comparison tests and even some of the best from Germany in the process.

As chief Camaro engineer Al Oppenheiser has noted, he doesn’t expect rivals to sit and twiddle thumbs, though—Ford will punch back.

Its first strike was the reveal of the refreshed, 2018 Ford Mustang. Updated design, interior improvements and more are included with the revised pony. The more important information has remained a mystery, but we now know the Mustang will boast a 7,500 RPM redline.

Ford Authority reports a new photo identified the 5.0-liter V8’s redline has been moved 500 revolutions per minute higher. That’s 500 RPMs less than the GT350’s screaming 8,000 RPM. A redline isn’t the most significant piece of information, but it does fuel the rumor the Mustang will boast 455 horsepower for the 2018 model year. For those keeping score at home, that power figure matches the 6.2-liter LT1 V8‘s hp rating in the Camaro. The Coyote V8 will now feature direct and port fuel injection as well.

The Camaro will be in for some updates, too, but we don’t expect to see the refreshed car this year. It’s likely the 2019 Camaro will be revealed sometime next year with updated styling and unknown performance improvements. Pony car wars: wage on.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. But is there a boost in torque? High rpms are the only reason the gt350 makes 526hp. Also explains why it’s no faster than a 455hp Camaro.

    Reply
    1. You know as well as I do that Displacement increases Torque. Wise Guy

      Reply
  2. The new 5.0 will have 460hp.

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    1. if it made more torque, it would have power somewhere in the 480-490 region, given the higher RPM’s. my guess is no more torque, which is pointless, as you only reap the benefits for a fraction of a second before shifting gears down into your inferior torque band. The real improvements would be the increased aerodynamics and 10 speed auto

      Reply
  3. GT350 redlines at 8250 RPM – so 750 RPM more revs that what we’re expecting with Coyote 2.0. It’s not their first 5.0L from the factory with a 7500 RPM redline too – the Boss 302 did that making 444 HP at 7500 RPM. I’d guess they are putting in a new intake manifold so they can utilize the extra revs, in which case it may make more 460 HP – even just a 5% bump from dual injection would take 435HP/400TQ to 457HP/420TQ, shifting the torque curve up a few hundred RPM could add another 4% to peak power as well. Hope GM has an LT1.5 prepped!

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  4. So I assume the move to dual injection is a sign that Ford is giving up on the issue of dirty, coked-up intake valves endemic to direct injection, and going back to spraying fuel in the intake track to keep them clean?

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    1. Also it is easier to control combustion and emissions than DI alone. I’d imagine PM benefits are primary culprit.

      Reply
    2. Toyota figured that out 10 years ago.

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  5. Power = Rpm. Torque = Muscle. I prefer the latter.

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  6. The real issue is what’s been going on since the 6th gen Camaro came out: a price versus performance contest. Camaro wins the performance battle but sales figures indicate more buyers view the cheaper Mustang as good enough and a better value proposition.

    Ford doesn’t have to win the battle necessarily, just narrow the gap to expand their sales dominance (excluding rental fleets). The question is what’s the 2018 Mustang’s price especially factoring in the Mustang now will reportedly offer magnetic ride as an option?

    Also, imho, a weak spot for the Camaro is the uninspired dash and console. Mustang leads in this area by a wide margin and is upping their game for 2018. I’ve seen photos of the new interior and it’s very nice. Even the rumors of a minor 2018 Camaro refresh are crickets on the interior which I suspect will remain unchanged and trail the Mustang badly.

    Reply

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