Ever since the current-generation Mustang came out for the 2015 model year there has been a significant gap in performance between the Mustang Ecoboost and the Mustang GT. For 2020, Ford seems to have taken notice and will try to fill this gap with the new Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package.
To give this special variant the extra performance over a standard Mustang Ecoboost, Ford has specified a new version of the 2.3L Ecoboost engine for it. This version features a high-performance head and a larger compressor wheel on the twin-scroll turbo. Once the Ford Performance engineers worked their magic with the ECU tuning, the 2.3L High Performance Package gained an extra 20 horsepower over the standard Mustang Ecoboost for a total of 330 horsepower on premium fuel. While that may not sound like a lot, any tuner worth their salt will say that off-peak power makes all the difference and Ford claims a 40 per cent wider torque curve and a stronger high-RPM power curve with this new Ecoboost variant. All those gains sing through a standard active valved exhaust. Combined with the 3.55:1 limited-slip rear end, the Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package is expected to do the 0-100 km/h dash in under 5 seconds on premium fuel on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h, the highest of any Ecoboost Mustang to date.
Keeping that extra performance in check are larger four-piston front brakes, an alloy strut tower brace, stiffer sway bars, new calibration for the stability control, ABS and electric power steering, brake cooling ducts from the Mustang GT Performance Package and 255/40R19 summer tires. In pursuit of maximum performance, Ford offers a brand new Ecoboost Handling Package with the 2.3L High Performance Package. This includes semi-metallic brake linings, specially calibrated MagneRide dampers, 19×9.5” wheels with sticky 265/40R19 Pirelli PZero Corsa4 summer tires and an even bigger rear sway bar that’s solid as opposed to hollow.
Externally, the 2.3L High Performance Package can be identified by its large splitter, unique black grille, standard 19×9” wheels or optional 19×9.5” wheels, Magnetic Gray side mirrors, “2.3L High Performance” fender emblems, blade-style spoiler and metallic grey hood stripes. Internally, boost and oil pressure gauges are set into a spun-aluminum dash trim with a serialized plaque set cars with the 2.3L High Performance Package apart from their lesser brethren. In addition to the unique 2.3L High Performance Package appearance touches, all 2020 Ford Mustangs will be available in four-new colours; Grabber Lime, Iconic Silver, Red Hot Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Twister Orange.
While exact pricing has not been announced yet for the 2020 Ford Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package, expect it to sit in the price delta between the Mustang Ecoboost and the Mustang GT. The 2020 Ford Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package will arrive in showrooms this fall.
