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  • The difference in acceleration between a manual 2018 Mustang GT and 10-speed automatic is huge

      • The difference in acceleration between a manual 2018 Mustang GT and 10-speed automatic is huge

        Published on 06-22-2018 04:32 PM
        8 Comments Comments
        At this point it is common knowledge that dual clutch transmissions and modern automatics are quicker than their manual counterparts. Some people still do not think the difference is all that large but take a look at these numbers from a 2018 Mustang GT.


        The automatic is half a second quicker in the 1/4 mile. That is with higher drivetrain losses than the manual showing just how big of a difference gear change speed makes:

        2018 Ford Mustang GT (6M) 2018 Ford Mustang GT (10A)
        DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD Front-engine, RWD
        ENGINE TYPE 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads
        VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves/cyl DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
        DISPLACEMENT 307.4 cu in/5,038 cc 307.4 cu in/5,038 cc
        COMPRESSION RATIO 12.0:1 12.0:1
        POWER (SAE NET) 460 hp* @ 7,000 rpm 460 hp* @ 7,000 rpm
        TORQUE (SAE NET) 420 lb-ft* @ 4,600 rpm 420 lb-ft* @ 4,600 rpm
        REDLINE 7,400 rpm 7,400 rpm
        WEIGHT TO POWER 8.4 lb/hp 8.4 lb/hp
        TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual 10-speed automatic
        AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO 3.73:1/2.32:1 3.55:1/2.26:1
        SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
        STEERING RATIO 16.0:1 16.0:1
        TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.5 2.5
        BRAKES, F; R 15.0-in vented disc; 13.0-in vented disc, ABS 15.0-in vented disc; 13.0-in vented disc, ABS
        WHEELS, F;R 9.0 x 19-in; 9.5 x 19-in, cast aluminum 9.0 x 19-in; 9.5 x 19-in, cast aluminum
        TIRES, F;R 255/40R19 100Y; 275/40R19 105Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 255/40R19 100Y; 275/40R19 105Y Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
        DIMENSIONS
        WHEELBASE 107.1 in 107.1 in
        TRACK, F/R 62.4/65.1 in 62.4/65.1 in
        LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 188.5 x 75.4 x 54.3 in 188.5 x 75.4 x 54.3 in
        TURNING CIRCLE 40.0 ft 40.0 ft
        CURB WEIGHT 3,863 lb 3,860 lb
        WEIGHT DIST, F/R 54/46% 55/45%
        SEATING CAPACITY 4 4
        HEADROOM, F/R 37.6/34.8 in 37.6/34.8 in
        LEGROOM, F/R 45.1/29.0 in 45.1/29.0 in
        SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 56.3/52.2 in 56.3/52.2 in
        CARGO VOLUME 13.5 cu ft 13.5 cu ft
        TEST DATA
        ACCELERATION TO MPH
        0-30 1.9 sec 1.7 sec
        0-40 2.6 2.4
        0-50 3.5 3.1
        0-60 4.4 3.9
        0-70 5.4 4.8
        0-80 6.7 5.9
        0-90 8.1 7.2
        0-100 9.7 8.7
        0-100-0 13.6 12.7
        PASSING, 45-65 MPH 1.9 1.6
        QUARTER MILE 12.6 sec @ 115.1 mph 12.1 sec @ 118.8 mph
        BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 104 ft 104 ft
        LATERAL ACCELERATION 1.00 g (avg) 0.97 g (avg)
        MT FIGURE EIGHT 24.0 sec @ 0.83 g (avg) 23.9 sec @ 0.84 g (avg)
        TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 1,750 rpm 1,700 rpm
        CONSUMER INFO
        BASE PRICE $39,995 $36,090
        PRICE AS TESTED $49,670 $46,765
        STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL Yes/Yes Yes/Yes
        AIRBAGS 8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee 8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee
        BASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles
        POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 5 yrs/60,000 miles 5 yrs/60,000 miles
        ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 5 yrs/60,000 miles 5 yrs/60,000 miles
        FUEL CAPACITY 16.0 gal 16.0 gal
        EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 15/25/18 mpg* 16/25/19 mpg*
        ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 225/135 kW-hrs/100 miles 211/135 kW-hrs/100 miles
        CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.06 lb/mile 1.02 lb/mile
        RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded premium Unleaded premium
        * hp/torque values derived using 93-octane fuel; EPA’s values with 89-octane

        0-60 alone is a half second quicker and 0-100 is one full second. It's night and day.

        The weight distribution is practically the same and the curb weight in this test actually has the automatic coming out slightly lighter although obviously that will changes based on options, fluids, etc.

        If you are into eeking out as much performance as possible, the automatic is simply the way to go.


        This article was originally published in forum thread: The difference in acceleration between a manual 2018 Mustang GT and 10-speed automatic is huge started by Sticky View original post
        Comments 8 Comments
        1. BLKROKT's Avatar
          BLKROKT - 06-23-2018, 10:05 AM
          The automatic has different axle and final drive ratios than the manual. It’s not all down to the transmission.
        1. Sticky's Avatar
          Sticky - 06-23-2018, 10:19 AM
          Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by BLKROKT Click here to enlarge
          The automatic has different axle and final drive ratios than the manual. It’s not all down to the transmission.
          True but the manual has a shorter final drive yet it is still getting beaten hard to 60 and beyond.

          It's pretty much all transmission.
        1. psipwrd's Avatar
          psipwrd - 06-25-2018, 03:28 AM
          How is it that the auto can pull 1-2 tenths every 10 mph, and have a 1-sec lead at 100, but lose half that lead by the quarter with a higher trap speed? Never made sense to me, especially when both cars have the same hp/tq and weight.

          I've seen this many times in magazine racing but they're usually different cars/engines, etc.
        1. psipwrd's Avatar
          psipwrd - 06-25-2018, 03:31 AM
          double post
        1. Stevenh's Avatar
          Stevenh - 06-25-2018, 12:39 PM
          Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by psipwrd Click here to enlarge
          How is it that the auto can pull 1-2 tenths every 10 mph, and have a 1-sec lead at 100, but lose half that lead by the quarter with a higher trap speed? Never made sense to me, especially when both cars have the same hp/tq and weight.

          I've seen this many times in magazine racing but they're usually different cars/engines, etc.
          You can't compare time to achieve a speed and time to reach a distance like that...
        1. Bowser330's Avatar
          Bowser330 - 06-25-2018, 12:44 PM
          Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by psipwrd Click here to enlarge
          How is it that the auto can pull 1-2 tenths every 10 mph, and have a 1-sec lead at 100, but lose half that lead by the quarter with a higher trap speed? Never made sense to me, especially when both cars have the same hp/tq and weight.

          I've seen this many times in magazine racing but they're usually different cars/engines, etc.
          very strange indeed, perhaps the automatic car had a slightly slower 60ft, that would make the ET slightly slower and the trap slightly higher, wouldn't it?

          I know it makes no sense that the automatic car would have the slower 60ft...but it does explain it...maybe a little bit of marketing by Ford sprinkled in there...

          since when did the mustang weigh as much as a GTR? Camaro is almost 200lbs lighter, then again you can't see out of it so.....there's always something....
          Click here to enlarge
        1. Sticky's Avatar
          Sticky - 06-25-2018, 01:11 PM
          Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by psipwrd Click here to enlarge
          How is it that the auto can pull 1-2 tenths every 10 mph, and have a 1-sec lead at 100, but lose half that lead by the quarter with a higher trap speed? Never made sense to me, especially when both cars have the same hp/tq and weight.

          I've seen this many times in magazine racing but they're usually different cars/engines, etc.
          It's simple. You spend more time in gear at higher speeds.

          The only way the auto gets an advantage is due to shift speed. The more shifts, the greater the advantage.

          The manual has lower drivetrain losses so in gear it probably is ever so slightly quicker but the auto advantage dissipates as you hit higher speeds as there is less shifting.

          1-2-3 difference will be much larger than 4-5-6
        1. psipwrd's Avatar
          psipwrd - 06-25-2018, 02:26 PM
          Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
          It's simple. You spend more time in gear at higher speeds.

          The only way the auto gets an advantage is due to shift speed. The more shifts, the greater the advantage.

          The manual has lower drivetrain losses so in gear it probably is ever so slightly quicker but the auto advantage dissipates as you hit higher speeds as there is less shifting.

          1-2-3 difference will be much larger than 4-5-6
          I get it, the gap between the two cars are widening, not the gap between the cars and the finish line. For the manual, the auto is a moving target but the finish line is not.