Introducing the Mustang High Performance 2.3L

Ford Mustang High Performance 2.3L introduces more capable Ford Performance-developed turbocharged powertrain, bespoke styling and cabin treatments for unique sports car appeal

• The Ford Mustang High Performance 2.3L will join the Mustang line-up for MY2020, with a Ford Performance developed 236kW turbocharged engine, bold colour palette and striking looks to be the most potent, visually arresting model yet
• Significant visual upgrades to distinguish Mustang High Performance 2.3L, including high performance decals in a nod to the turbocharged Mustangs of the 1980s, as well as individual badging, colourisation and graphic treatments and alloy wheels
• Mustang High Performance 2.3L will offer eye-popping heritage colours including Twister Orange and Grabber Lime as part of a distinctive, adventurous colour range to add even greater differentiation
• Every Ford Mustang High Performance 2.3L includes Ford New Zealand’s five-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty

Auckland, 1 August 2019 – The High Performance 2.3L Mustang will join the New Zealand line-up in February 2020 with a more potent, customisable turbocharged model, reflecting customers’ calls for a unique performance version alongside the 5.0-litre V8 Mustang GT.

“The High Performance 2.3L helps extend Mustang’s already broad appeal,” said Kay Hart, Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO. “With distinctive looks, increased equipment level and bold colour choices, this turbocharged model is a welcome addition to the line-up, bringing a freshness to the range while still being pure Mustang.”

  2020 Vision: Turbocharged Mustang boosts line-up
The MY2020 High Performance 2.3L Mustang will be offered in the Fastback body style and is distinguished by a series of unique visual elements. Beginning with a new specific front grille, the MY2020 turbocharged model uses the Mustang GT’s more aggressive front splitter, flanked by Magnetic mirror caps and aggressive bonnet spears.

Detailing includes stand-alone badging, which sees an offset Pony tribar proudly up front, with the same red-white-and-blue design on the rear centre cap. The new Mustang also features a Magnetic lip spoiler as standard, while boasting unique badging and machine-finished 19-inch alloy wheels.

Four fresh colours for the Mustang line-up are designed to give each Mustang kerb appeal beyond its iconic lines. The striking Twister Orange and Grabber Lime build on Mustang’s tradition of heritage paintwork.

Accompanying the heritage hero colours is the new Iconic Silver, a svelte sheen that highlights Mustang’s contours and sleek shape, while the fresh Rapid Red brings a richness to a classic Mustang colour.

While the High Performance 2.3L Mustang’s contrasting bonnet spears, mirrors and lip spoiler are finished in Magnetic, for customers who select Magnetic as the body colour, the contrasting bonnet spears are instead finished in silver. 

Mustang  High Performance 2.3L: Honed by Ford Performance
The MY2020 High Performance 2.3L Mustang brings with it more power and capability. The Ford Performance-developed 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 236kW at 6200rpm and 448Nm of torque at 3800rpm – the highest output for a road-going production Ford four-cylinder in history – and is offered with an advanced 10-speed paddleshift automatic. With an aluminium alloy block and high-performance head, the turbocharged Mustang’s powerplant contributes to a well-balanced 53/47 front-to-rear weight distribution.

“It’s not just the power gains over the previous 2.3-litre engine,” said Carl Widmann, Chief Program Engineer, Ford Mustang. “It’s the broader torque curve that delivers 90 per cent of peak torque between 2,500 and 5,300 rpm. Plus, horsepower holds stronger up to the 6,500-rpm redline – enabling more usable power and torque.”

The increased performance of the turbocharged 2.3-litre engine is achieved by using a larger 63mm twin-scroll turbocharger, as used in the Ford Performance Focus RS, constructed of aluminium for strength and durability while reducing weight to provide the driver stronger throttle response. Gear ratios for the 10-speed automatic have been shortened from MY19 models to further improve agility and driver engagement. The broader torque curve from the turbocharged engine brings greater drivability, engine flexibility and point-to-point capability. 

Mustang: Made for the long, winding road
The High Performance 2.3L Mustang chassis further develops its unique character and performance credentials. In addition to its improved weight distribution, a thicker 32mm front stabiliser bar brings greater control and compliance, the rear stabiliser bar has increased in size from 21.7mm to 24mm.

The standard machine-faced 19-inch alloy wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, with a staggered fitment seeing 9.0-inch wide wheels delivering more responsive, lightweight steering feel with 9.5-inch wide rear wheels for greater traction and power delivery. As per Mustang GT, MagneRide suspension is also available as an option on Mustang High Performance 2.3L models for greater comfort.

Driver Assist Technology as standard on all MY2020 Mustangs includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, as well as Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Mustang also benefits from Auto-levelling headlights, as well as automatic high beam, enabling the driver a clear view of the road ahead. 

Saddle Up: In the drivers’ seat of the MY2020 Mustang
The interior of the MY2020 Mustang line-up further improves the significant updates that arrived with the current model in 2018. These include more premium, tactile materials and textured interior finishes, for a higher-end feel, while a fully customisable 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster proving crisp, personalised drive information across all driving modes.

For MY2020, the High Performance 2.3L Mustang brings interior highlights including a spun aluminium instrument panel plus a serialized dash plaque.

The interior continues to offer standard leather-upholstery or optional leather Recaro sports seats, with touchpoints including a leather-wrapped classically designed three-spoke sports steering wheel and hand-brake boot.

Ford SYNC® 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on 2020 Mustang. SYNC® 3 also includes an 8.0-inch full-colour reversing camera display, as well as built-in sat-nav with complimentary mapping updates for up to seven years. 

Ford Mustang: a global road car, an international race car
The Ford Mustang has been the world’s best-selling sports car for four consecutive years, and since its arrival in New Zealand has become the nation’s most popular sports car for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Ford Performance Mustangs currently compete in Supercars, NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity series, British and US GT4 categories, Formula Drift as well as the NHRA, and in 2019, the Ford Mustang joined the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship making Mustang a truly global race and road car. In July, the Mustang Supercar helped Ford seal the Manufacturers’ Title for the 2019 Supercars series. 

Coming Feb 2020