170829 Ford Mustang Performance 02
170829 Ford Mustang Performance 14
Ford Mustang 4108 ty2r
Ford Mustang 4088 iyz6
Ford Mustang 1739 soxm
Feann Torr29 Sept 2017
REVIEW

Ford Mustang Performance Pack 2017 Review

The Ford Mustang is a fun sports car… but a few judicious tweaks make it a proper muscle car
Review Type
Road Test
Review Location
Torquay

The Ford Mustang has been a slam-dunk success in Australia. It's topped the sports car sales charts for almost two years, smashing its rivals out of the park. There are now more Mustangs in circulation than hay fever symptoms in spring, and Ford has realised there's a growing market for owners who want to up the performance – and acoustic – ante. With a small range of Performance Packs offered locally, it was our civic duty to test them out.

When Ford Australia first made mention that it was planning to unleash apocalyptic power in the Mustang, via a 500kW (670hp) Roush supercharger upgrade, there was much rejoicing.

Imagine a bananas Pony car with this much power that's dealer-fitted, causing no damage to your warranty, servicing or road-side assistance dealio? Well, that idea fell through due to noise regulations a high cost, but Ford Australia has released a bunch of Performance Pack add-ons that add a little more sizzle to the 'Stang.

New springs see the Ford Mustang sit 25mm lower

Our Ford Mustang GT test car was fitted with the Track Handling Pack ($4130), the cat-back exhaust ($3584) and the short-throw manual shifter ($806) and all three elements contribute just a little more driver engagement in their own ways. For the record, here's the full list of Ford Performance options for the Aussie Mustang:

Track Handling Pack (Fastback) — $4130
Street lowering springs (Fastback) — $1260
Cat-back exhaust chrome (GT only) — $3584
Cat-back exhaust black (GT only) — $3584
Short-throw shifter manual — $805
Coil covers blue (GT only) – $222

https://www.facebook.com/motoring.com.au/videos/1720908844608876

Those prices include installation and if carried out at the time of purchase or before delivery will maintain the three-year/100,000km warranty of the car. Installed in existing Mustangs, the Ford Performance parts get a one-year/20,000km warranty when fitted at a Ford dealer.

Ford Performance exhaust for Mustang
Okay, the Ford Performance exhaust system is a must. If you can only choose one of these extras, the extra wedge for the 'zorst is worth it, changing the 5.0-litre V8's acoustic from unadventurous to ambitious.

I enjoyed the basso-profundo rumble that increases in volume as the revs rise. It gives the Coyote V8 scads more character. Whether punching out of corners at full noise or just taking off from the lights, the rowdy audio makes the car more satisfying to drive.

The Ford Performance exhaust system adds more theatre to each drive

Comprising a 2.5-inch mandrel-bent stainless steel cat-back exhaust, with 4.0-inch outlets (chrome and black finishes available), you'll be able to make full use of the pipes in any situation, unlike the chassis tweaks which are more suited to spirited driving.

It's not exceedingly loud and doesn't cut the air like the Tickford exhaust, nor does it have the crackle-pop on the over-run… but it's still a massive improvement on the standard V8 Mustang.

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It's pretty tame at lower revs so you won't wake up the whole street leaving for an early morning Sunday blast to blow away the cobwebs and after a 90-minute freeway cruise it didn't drone either.

With a bit of snap and crackle, the exhaust note would be perfect

Ford Performance short throw shifter for Mustang
I love the look and feel of the eight-ball shifter. It makes every drive a bit more memorable and although I would have liked to see more interior options in the Ford Performance pack catalogue, this is a good one.

The shorter shift throw is more addictive than those spicy chilli kettle chips they sell at Aldi and the way it 'clicks' in and out of the gates like the four-speed stick-shift from Sega's seminal Daytona arcade game never gets old. It makes shifting more fun and quicker and the well-modulated clutch is a nice partner in crime.

When we say "short" throw gear stick, we meant it!
Pricing and Features

That being said, I did find myself missing a couple of shifts here and there when performing aggressive launches and keeping the 306kW V8 on the boil, pushing hard in tight, twisting passes. Like a strong-willed canine, if you force it, prepare to be bitten.

Ford Performance track handling pack for Mustang
There are two options for suspension tweaks in the mustang, the street lowering springs, which lower the car not the street… and the track handling pack which is a couple of grand more expensive.

The new springs deliver a 25mm lower ride height and provides the 'Murican muscle car with a street-savvy stance (but could go lower I reckon) and a firmer ride.

The track pack suspension is lower, firmer, more engaging... but it comes at a cost

The track pack takes the lowered springs then adds new front and rear anti-roll bars, front and rear dampers, upper strut mounts plus rear toe links and knuckle bearings. The front-end is a little quicker to turn in than previously, but it's the rear end that really comes alive, power sliding like a 1992 Hyundai Excel with Maccas trays under the rear wheels.

My notes read: "Progressive slides. Really nice weight distribution. Predictable power delivery. It feels like a Mustang should."

The lively rear end means you'll be dialling up plenty of oppo locko

I must confess however, I've never driven a classic Mustang… Either way, this is more fun than demolishing a friend's house with your newfound Bobcat skills, more fun than throwing water bombs at the snooty next-door neighbour, more fun than dropping Mentos into your auntie's diet Coke.

I never felt as though I wasn't in control, even when rifling out of tight second gear corners at full noise. If you leave stability control on, it gives you a fair bit of slip before reigning in the shenanigans so you can have safe fun even with the electronic nannies switched on.

The Ford Mustang becomes sharper and more precise once upgraded, but less comfortable

Improved handling dynamics are welcome but it comes at the expense of ride comfort, which is much firmer. It's really stiff over sharper bumps and although it's not going to shatter your spine, I'd suggest trying before buying if the Mustang is your daily drive.

In conclusion…
Anyone who thought American muscle cars wouldn't resonate with Australian buyers has been proved categorically wrong, as the Ford Mustang romps to sales records, month after month. And deservedly so. It's a fun car to drive.

But throw in these upgrades and the Mustang becomes even more nourishing. I personally don't mind compromising ride quality for improved apex attacking attributes and it's more playful personality is as endearing as it is entertaining.

The boot is not completely useless... just moderately useless

The upgraded exhaust and gear shifter are tip top, but the problem I found was that I simply couldn't help myself from slamming through the gears at full throttle at every conceivable opportunity, smiling like a giddy teen every time... Strewth it's fun!

But fuel economy of around 20.0L/100km in the suburbs is not really sustainable.

After some freeway cruising, a 200km round trip to the beach, the numbers dropped to 10.5L/100km… temporarily. Sigh.

Some of the plastics feel cheap but the low-down seating position is great

It may not have a Roush supercharger under the bonnet, but every drive to work my brain was insisted "beast mode now!" and whenever someone needed a lift or milk from the shops, I was a little too eager to offer my services.

But hey, that's a pretty good measure of what makes an engaging sports car, and the extra juju these Ford Performance bits deliver make a good car great.

2017 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 306kW/530Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 13.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 305g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Two-star ANCAP

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
80/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
17/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
15/20
Safety & Technology
12/20
Behind The Wheel
18/20
X-Factor
18/20
Pros
  • V8 rumble
  • Short shifter
  • Chassis dynamics
Cons
  • Ride comfort
  • Agro gear shifts
  • Fuel economy
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