Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company

Earlier this month we were able to get out hands on the 2018 Mustang eSource guide that hit the interwebs. And, at first glance, it’s easy to mistake this PDF document for one of the normal dealership guides you would normally see on the showroom floor.

It wasn’t until we actually started scrolling through the entire guide that we began to realize that this single document may be the only document new owners may ever need to become intimately familiar with their new 2018 Mustang.

Rather than recapping the entire eSource Book, we break down some of the worthy features that the new 2018 Mustang guide explains. Some of them are carryover from the 2015-2017 models, but we thought you might appreciate the details…

Drivetrain Upgrades
We have already covered in great detail the performance numbers of both the EcoBoost 2.3-liter and Gen 3 5.0-liter engines. And we know that the 2018 Mustang features even better performance over the 2017 Mustang. Both vehicles now come with a standard six-speed manual transmission. But one thing you may not know is that the optional 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission is available for both the 5.0 and the EcoBoost models.

Fuel-Saving Tech
Aggressive deceleration fuel shut off deactivates the fuel injectors when the vehicle is decelerating or coasting while normal engine operation is maintained, which helps promote performance. Some of the key features of the ADFSO system are:

• It is automatic and requires no interaction from the driver
• It uses the transmission to keep the engine running at low, fuel-efficient operating levels whenever possible
• Normal fuel delivery resumes when the vehicle reaches a low speed or when the driver accelerates
• Excellent drivability is maintained by software that integrates this technology with powertrain operation

Twin-Scroll Turbo

For fans of the EcoBoost Mustang, which has used this twin-scroll turbo design from the jump, Ford gives us a little engineering insight on what makes the latest turbocharged ponies produce so much power straight from the factory.

“Unlike a traditional mono-scroll turbo, a twin-scroll turbo has two separate chambers in the turbo housing along with two separate exhaust runners that flow into the turbo, one runner for cylinders 1 and 4 and another runner for cylinders 2 and 3. Since the cylinders fire in sequence (not all at once), the exhaust exits the combustion chamber in irregular pulses,” says the guide. “Conventional mono-scroll turbochargers route those irregular pulses of exhaust into the turbine with a single runner. Think of a four-into-one exhaust. This design causes the exhaust gases to collide and interfere with one another, reducing the strength of the flow. In contrast, a twin-scroll turbocharger gathers exhaust from pairs of cylinders in alternating sequence. This design maximizes pulse energy to the turbine wheel. The result is a quicker torque delivery (reduced lag) when the driver needs it for passing or merging onto a highway.”

That is a great look into just how far turbocharged engines have come, and another component of the car’s performance is the continued use of active grille shutters which promote aerodynamics at higher speeds and greater intercooler efficiency at lower speeds.

Active Grille Shutters
The Active Grille Shutters automatically open and close to help maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of the grille opening to help maintain ideal engine operating temperature.

• Located between the grille opening(s) and the engine radiator
• Electronically controlled by the engine control module
• Shutters adjust to counter wind resistance and maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of the grille opening and engine cooling
• When more engine cooling is required, the shutters open
• When less engine cooling is required, the shutters close to help enhance aerodynamics and efficiency
• Standard on all models except when equipped with a Performance Package

The 2018 Mustang eSource guide is one of the most comprehensive digital guides we have seen for a new Ford vehicle. For potential new owners, it really explains exactly what the new and returning features are for the newly designed Ford Mustang. Being that it is a digital guide, it provides owners and potential new owners an easy way to refer back to some of the cool features when they finally take delivery of their new Pony — at least until they can pull the real owner’s manual out of that airbag-equipped glove box.

For more details, you can download the complete 2018 Mustang eSource Guide here.