Ford has revealed a new option for the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost that gives buyers a little more fire in the belly from the American (turbocharged) stallion. Called the High Performance Pack, a power boost for the 2.3-litre engine is the headlining addition along with new chassis components to improve dynamics.
Where previously the four-cylinder produced 224kW, Ford Performance has seen fit to lift that to 246kW and 375Nm of twist. While that will be noticeable, it’s still a good deal less than what the Ford Focus RS’ delivers from what is essentially the same motor. The optional pack adds high performance cylinder heads and a larger twin-scroll turbocharger and a larger radiator.
Still, Ford proudly claims it to elevate the Mustang EcoBoost to the “most powerful 4-cylinder sports car offered by an American automaker”. Perhaps because the Focus family is a five-door hatch, that could technically be true, if not practically suspect.
“The Ford Performance Focus RS 2.3-liter engine is a high-revving marvel, and anyone who’s driven this EcoBoost engine instantly loves how quickly it responds and delivers power,” said Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer. “When our team got the chance to try this specially built engine in a Mustang, we immediately agreed, ‘We have to do this.’”
In terms of real world quickness, the engine is said to provide a much more usable power band in addition to better response overall, delivering 90 percent of peak torque between 2,500rpm and 5,300rpm. Ford is expecting the Performance Pack to bring down the 0-100km/h sprint time to the mid-four-second range and a top speed of 250km/h.
Freshly recalibrated electronic power steering pairs with a new strut tower base and 32mm sway bar has been added to the front suspension to improve front end precision and new four-piston callipers attached to uprated rotors from the Mustang GT help with stopping power.
Drive is sent to the rear, of course, either through a 6-speed manual transmission from Getrag or an their in-house co-developed 10-speed automatic, but first runs through a Torsen limited slip rear differential. As standard, the High Performance Pack also adds Pirelli P Zero Corsa4 tyres.
The new Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Pack will also be evident on the road, equipped with a more aggressive exterior than the base car. The treatment begins with a new set of 19-inch aluminium wheels, a black front splitter and belly pan, brake cooling ramps, black-out grille, a raised blade on the rear spoiler, quad tip exhausts, and a metallic grey stripe across the bonnet.
We’ll keep an ear out if the High Performance Pack will be offered for Australian buyers of the Mustang EcoBoost.
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