New high-performance underpinnings transform Mustang.
06-10-09: The 2010 Ford Mustang has been in dealer showrooms for a month or so now. They are beginning to show up on the roads and shopping center parking lots across the country. When the 2010 Mustang was unveiled, Ford told us about a special option package called the Track Pack that would up handling performance, to be released this summer.
Well guess what? It’s summer! The package is on its way now for 2010 Ford Mustang GT coupes with manual transmissions. The first ingredient was to add a high-performance summer tire, and the 19-inch Pirelli P Zero P255/40ZR-19 proved to be an inspired choice for improved grip. Ford's engineering team then went to work on the underpinnings of the 2010 Mustang GT coupe, using Ford's proven technology from the Shelby GT500 program.
The front and rear stabilizer bars from the 2009 Shelby GT500 complement the Pirelli tires and help balance the Track Pack 2010 Mustang GT coupe front to rear. The struts and shocks were retuned for the increased capability of the new tire and stabilizer bar changes. The engineering team also spent significant time at the track to ensure the Track Pack was rewarding on the track and offered a balance of spirited driving and track prowess.
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The roll gradient (how much the car rolls while steering) was reduced nearly 13 percent compared with the base 2010 Mustang GT. Damping was increased by 23 percent in the front and 8 percent in the rear in the low- to mid-speed compared to the 2010 Mustang GT.
"By reducing the roll gradient, the car stays flatter in turns," said Tom Barnes, Vehicle Engineering Manager, 2010 Mustang. "And when the car is flatter, the driver is more in command and more confident in what the car's doing.
"Great handling comes from great control. A driver's control of the vehicle is facilitated by information. This Track Pack communicates to the driver through the tires and suspension so well that is it easy to drive very quickly. It rewards smooth driving, while offering great capacity to cover driver error."
In addition to the hardware changes and extensive tuning, the Ford team also took a more holistic approach to improving the Track Pack Mustang. "Handling is not just chassis," Barnes said. "Vehicle dynamics – how the Mustang responds under acceleration and braking – is important as well."
The solution from the powertrain part of the equation was to use a 3.73 limited-slip axle with carbon-fiber clutch plates. "The 3.73 axle allows for a more-responsive Mustang, especially at mid-range speeds," Barnes said. "The carbon-fiber plates allow a very robust architecture in terms of temperature and repeated hard driving on the track."
Performance Friction branded brake pads, which better resist brake fade, are used front and rear. Both the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and AdvanceTrac were retuned to complement the advanced capabilities of the new tires and brakes. AdvanceTrac is standard on the 2010 GT coupe and can be operated in any of three modes: On, Off or Sport.
"The Track Pack covers all the bases," Barnes said. "The new tires give the Mustang more grip, we have a more-responsive acceleration, better brake linings that are more consistent over time and the car is tied down better because of the changes to the bars and the shock tuning."
"Track Pack has the grip, the handling and it has the 'go.' And it absolutely can be used as a daily driver. Track Pack offers the best of both worlds – great performance on the track or if you're cruising down the road."
If you want to take the 2010 Mustang to a higher level, add Ford Racing’s new FR3 handling Pack. The new package you can install yourself or have installed at your dealer features components proven out on the racetrack. Included in the pack are dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace.
"The FR3 Handling Pack is derived from our extensive experience with the Ford Mustang FR500C competing in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge and FIA GT4," said Andy Slankard, Engineering Supervisor, Ford Racing.
Enhancements from the FR3 Handling Pack include:
* Ride height lowered by more than 1 inch
* Increased spring rate by about 75 pounds to improve turn in and mid-corner performance
* Front and rear sway bars stiffened to eliminate roll
* Re-tuned dampers, increasing the compression and rebound
The Track Pack retails for $1,495 while the FR3 Handling Pack retails for $1,335.
