Ford Unveils Even Grippier Performance Pack For The 2018 Mustang GT
Ford said in July that the 2018 Ford Mustang GT would come with an optional Performance Pack that would include things like a bigger radiator, summer tires, and upgraded brakes. Today, the company unveiled the Performance Pack Level 2, an upgrade on the upgrade which they said would "bridge the gap" between the first Performance Pack and the GT350, the most powerful version.
The Performance Pack Level 2 was developed in secret, Ford said, and will include 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a beefed up suspension, retuned steering, a lower stance for the car, and a custom-made rear spoiler and front splitter.
The pack will also include all of the features of the Performance Pack Level 1, like the Brembo brakes with larger rotors, in addition to stability control, steering, and chassis enhancements. The main upgrade with the Performance Pack 2 appears to be the wider-diameter wheels, a full 1.5 inches wider than those that come with the Performance Pack 1, in addition to the car's lower stance.
More on the process behind the improvements, from Ford:
Using the splitter from the famed Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca as a benchmark, Mustang engineers attached the piece to the underside of the front to fan out as much as 3 inches around the corners of the Mustang GT. It creates about 24 pounds of downforce at 80 mph, helping give the car its exceptional grip. To balance the downforce, a subtle, redesigned rear spoiler stretches across the decklid.
To assist in the team's innovative approach to creating the new Performance Pack, parts such as the rear spoiler were rapid-prototyped using a 3D printer. The process enabled faster turnaround times, complementing the trial-and-error nature of the project.
The only visual cues on a car outfitted with the new Performance Pack Level 2 are black detailing on the splitter and spoiler, the tire spat on the back edge of the rear wheel wells and the 10-spoke Dark Tarnish wheels, which are exclusive. Customers who opt for Performance Pack Level 2 have a unique opportunity to select Recaro® seats in either leather or cloth to help stay firmly planted while cornering.
The package will add $6,500 to the cost of a Mustang GT fastback manual, the only model for which the package is available. (The GT fastback manual starts at $35,095.) Delivery of the new GTs isn't until sometime next spring, though you can put in orders now.