Ford USA has announced a new performance package for the facelifted 2018 Mustang. The new GT Performance Pack Level 2 will fill the space between the GT Performance Pack Level 1 and GT350 derivatives offered in the States and the extra hardware – on top of GT Performance Pack Level 1 – should enhance the pony car’s handling. Whether or not this performance package comes to the UK Mustang has yet to be confirmed.
The GT Performance Pack Level 2 builds on the GT Performance Pack Level 1’s specification. There are six-piston Brembo anchors with larger discs, a Torsen limited-slip differential and extra bracing to increase torsional rigidity. The recalibrated stability control and electronic power-steering have been carried over, too.
The Level 2 ‘has lightning-quick response and never gives up grip’, according to Jamie Cullen, Ford supervisor for vehicle dynamics development. Among the changes to deliver these improved responses are a quicker-ratio steering rack and standard-fit MagneRide dampers. To keep all the mass in check through quicker direction changes, spring rates are up by 20 and 13 per cent (front and rear respectively), while anti-roll bar stiffness has been increased too, 12 per cent at the nose and at 67 per cent at the back. The car also sits 12.7mm closer to the ground to further reduce the effects of inertia.
To best translate the above enhancements to the road, 19-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s – presenting 305mm of tyre to the tarmac – cope with greater lateral loading courtesy of downforce-based gains; the front splitter taken from the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca generates 11kg of downforce at 130kph with a reprofiled rear-wing to balance the aero-improvements upfront.
A trained eye is necessary to glean the visual differences between the Level 2 and Level 1 Performance Packs – most obvious are the 19-inch, ten-spoke Dark Tarnish wheels and bespoke detailing on the aero devices, both exclusive to the Level 2. The GT Performance Pack which retails at about $4000 – on top of the basic on the road price in the USA.
Should the new performance pack become available, it’ll likely be exclusive to the 5-litre GT specification mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as opposed to the ten-speed automatic. The facelifted, V8 cars will develop 444bhp, 34bhp more than the outgoing model.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
