Facelifted Ford Mustang Convertible unveiled

Following in the tyre tracks of the recently revealed coupe, Ford has released two pictures of its facelifted Mustang Convertible that comes with tweaked styling, more powerful engines and a new state-of-the-art 10-speed auto.

Set to be on sale in the US in September 2017, the new droptop version of the Mustang should arrive Down Under in 2018, at the earliest.

Like the coupe, the new Mustang Convertible gains smaller, narrower headlights that have received a mixed reception from diehard Ford fans who accuse its pinch-face design straying too far from the pony car's heritage.

As well as the changes to the Mustang's nose, the facelifted convertible also now comes with new upper and lower grille, a tweaked bonnet with repositioned vents and new LED fog lamps.

At the rear of the car there’s a pair of redesigned LED tail-lights and a new bumper.

Completing the external updates, the EcoBoost Mustang now comes with a dual tip exhaust while the V8-powered Mustang GT gains a quad tip exhaust, part of a new active sports exhaust system.

A new ‘performance’ spoiler hits the options list.

Inside, Ford says it has improved the quality of some of the materials used in the cabin and added a new hand-stitched wrap and knee bolster to the centre console.

The door handles, rings and bezels are now finished in aluminium.

Other updates include a new 12-inch virtual dashboard that can be customised.

In the US the digital dash is optional, so you can have your analogue gauges if you wish.

There’s also the option of a heated steering wheel for colder climates.

The biggest changes for the updated 2018 Mustang range have occurred beneath the skin however.

Both the four-pot EcoBoost and V8-powered GT gain retuned dampers, an additional support in the rear suspension rig and revised anti-roll bars that’s all claimed to have sharpened response and improved handling.

A new MagneRide magnetic damper option is also introduced and claimed to optimise ride and handling in all driving conditions.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is expected to get a mild torque increase but the 5.0-litre V8 has been thoroughly reworked to provide extra power and better fuel economy.

Ford hasn’t said how much more power we can expect from the eight-cylinder engine, but with changes that increase the compression ratio the company says the V8 now revs higher than the old car.

That alone should hike power to beyond the current Ford Mustang GT‘s 306kW.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the 2018 Ford Mustang facelift is both the EcoBoost engine and the new more powerful V8 can be combined with Ford’s all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The new state-of-the-art tranny is said to offer quicker shift times, better response and significantly reduced internal friction.

The 10 gears also allowed engineers to fit optimised gearing for both the turbo and V8 that’s said to boost performance. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles come as standard for manual override shifts.

The six-speed manual gearbox has also received an upgrade and its said to have been “totally redesigned” to include a new twin-disc clutch and dual-mass flywheel. The two changes are said to help manage the extra torque of the updated V8 and also help drivers modulate the clutch easier.

As well as the performance enhancements, engineers have also introduced emergency autonomous braking that can detect pedestrians. A lane departure warning system, lane keeping assist and a driver alert system have also been introduced.

Finally, the tech upgrade also includes the introduction of Ford’s latest SYNC Connect system with Ford Pass that, when combined with a new app, allows drivers to start, lock and unlock or locate their car remotely.

It's not known if the facelifted come standard with a price premium over the current car.