Amit's Website - Greetings
Preface
I test drove a 2020 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, with Performance Pack 1, 6-speed Manual, on July 21, 2020, at Crossroads Ford, in Apex, NC. Can search on Google for it, for relevants. Coming in, with my vast experience in Performance Vehicles, I knew it should be one of the best Pony Cars ever produced, because of Modern Implementation, including the 'Coyote' 5.0 liter V8 Engine [with redline @ 7500 RPM] , Upgraded Factory Suspension, advanced 6-speed Transmission, plus relatively wide Wheels & Tires. I test drove it [by myself] for 90 minutes, and have put together some information for an Evaluation.
Exterior
The Exterior of the Car is quite modern, looks great to me. This particular Red looks very sharp with the Black wheels, and it has PP1 specific body components. Love the Horse emblem in the front Grill. Dig the Spoiler/Wing. The Dual Exhaust is as usual Badass.
Interior & Controls
The Interior of the Car is State of the Art. From the snug Leather heated/cooled seats, to the all digital Radio & Dash, to the smallish diameter Leather wrapped Steering Wheel, everything looked and felt great. The Steering IS though a bit slow, and to me the Road Feel is only just good. The 6-speed acted like an aftermarket Short Throw Shifter, with the clutch nothing short of acting like a Racing Clutch, although the pedal stiffness is only moderate. There are modes for Sport, Normal, Track, etc. There are also tons of controls on the Steering Wheel. The salesman here gave me an overview of general features, including many modern safety features, but I did not have the time (or desire) to really mess with the Digital options. It was a 90+ degree day, and the A/C blew hard and cold as can be. I did test out the Sound System, and it was superb. Not the best compared to aftermarket, but for factory was very good. I'm sure that owners will have to spend some time with all the features and options, as this is one heck of a combination implementation.
Acceleration
Acceleration was spectacular, not surprising given that it's a high-revving large displacement V8. It truly spans the RPM's like a Coyote, with down low less relative torque, and increases zing as you rev higher in the RPM's. Unfortunately not even close to the torque of my LS2 GTO's (6.0L), however, even though top end horsepower is about the same. This is what you get for 5 liters, and it's very good. 1st gear full throttle from a roll, does NOT spin the tires, but it picks up steam quite well with the 3.55's, standard in the PP1. The sensation you get with full throttle near redline is great to behold, since there are not many street Motors that spin to 7500! Overall is what is to be expected from the combination of Technology & R&D.
Braking
Braking is Phenomenal, again not surprising, since we're talking about a 6-piston Big Brake Kit (BBK) from Brembo. I didn't have the moxy to put it to the test much on the street, other than a few 60-20 mph braking zones, and it performed super solid! We're talking just about the best performing aspect of the Car. The feel of the Brakes was great as well, instilling confidence in maneuvers. I'm sure other online reviews have put it through the paces, and come up with similar results. Just super solid and strong, planting and hunkering down with hard application. Niiiicce.
Cornering
These days lots of cars are capable of above average cornering, however the Mustang here is quite nice. By the Dealership, there is a set of four Cloverleafs, that you can drive on one-after-the-other, creating a sort of mini cornering circuit. I spent a good portion of the 90 minutes pushing the Mustang, up to cornering speeds of 50 mph. It is just about as solid as can be! Absolutely no problems with the Michelin 4s Summer Tires, not even close to complaining/squealing level, without any wavering whatsoever. I could gyrate the wheel back and forth at these speeds, the suspension hunkering down, just doing it's job. Interestingly, I could not tell the difference between Sport+ mode and Track mode, thus I did all testing in Sport+. With the cornering G's available with this package, you would be hard pressed to beat it, without going to an aftermarket sourced & lowered suspension.
Summary
This is one heck of a Combination, with levels of performance reaching quite far. Acceleration, Braking, Cornering, even testing of Overall Handling is wonderful. At one point, I was able to give it full throttle, in 1st gear, nearly from a stop, accelerating and turning around a street corner, and it was as stable and strong as can be. @ ~3700 lbs, Ford Performance / Mustang generally, put together a wonderfully superb vehicle that would be very hard to beat.
