Level Up: Ford Introduces Performance Pack Level 2 for 2018 Mustang
The Ford Mustang sports a snazzy new set of duds for 2018 but, with the GT350 largely unchanged for 2018 and the GT500 still just a rumor, Ford is looking to generate extra buzz in the high-performance end of the stable.
Fortunately, it seems the Blue Oval has a team of gearheads willing to burn the midnight octane in order to provide something new for Mustang customers who count themselves squarely amongst the go-fast set.
Bridging the performance gap between the Mustang GT equipped with Ford’s Performance Pack and the GT350 is the creatively named Performance Pack Level 2. Hey, we said they’re bringing faster lap times, not marketing solutions.
The main goal of Level 2 is to further tighten up the Mustang’s handling, with front and rear stabilizer bars now 12 and 67 percent stiffer, respectively. Springs are stiffer by 20 percent up front and twelve percent stiffer in the rear. In a nod to purists, the Level 2 package is only available on Mustangs equipped with a manual transmission.
Eagle-eyed spotters will note Mustangs equipped with the Level 2 package are half-an-inch closer to terra firma than Level 1 cars. Other visual giveways will be black detailing on the front splitter and a redesigned rear spoiler painted a similar natty shade of black. That front splitter, by the way, was designed by a former NASA aerodynamics specialist. Keep that in mind for the next Cars n’ Coffee.
Mustangs with the Performance Pack Level 2 will wear more rubber than a deep-sea diver. Monstrous Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires measuring 305/30/R19 are 1.5 inches wider than tires found on Level 1 Mustangs. Ten-spoke Level 2 rims designed by a longtime wheel and tire engineer are unique to the package. The presently-available Recaro seats can be opted with this package.
All of these go-fast goodies are in addition to the GT Performance Pack already available which brings unique tuning to the chassis, Brembo brakes, and a Torsen rear diff with 3.73 gearing in stick shift-equipped Mustang GTs (slushbox GTs get 3.55s). A larger radiator helps keep things cool during spirited driving sessions.
The Performance Pack Level 2 will leave a $6,500 dent in your wallet compared to the now-pedestrian GT Performance Pack, which currently adds $3,995 to the Monroney of a 2018 Mustang GT Fastback. Right now, one can spec a Mustang with the current Performance Pack without being required to select other expensive option packages. We hope this remains true for this Level 2 package.
The Performance Pack Level 2 will be available on manual-trans Mustang GTs early next year.
[Images: Ford Motor Company]
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PrincipalDan writes: "the seat-backs are thicker on the Recaros compared to the stock seats, therefore they eat into backseat room." And god knows back seat room is a key selling point for the Mustang. ;-) Digression (aimed not at PrincipalDan, more at muttering journos): When did people start condensing "back seat" to one word, and why? All the dictionary sources I've consulted say that as a noun it's two words, and as an adjective, e.g. "backseat driver" it's one word. Nobody writes "frontseat" as one word – ever. So just quit it!
A very good deal for those that do track events, but those extra wide tires and wheels will certainly offer extra financial pain for the 90+% that never see the track and need to replace them for normal wear and tear and the occasional pothole/curb damage.