2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost and GT Test Drive
The 2015 Ford Mustang has generated hype since it was first announced well over a year ago. BrothersPerformance.com is your number one source for the latest 2015 Mustang parts. As you know, the time has finally come—Mustangs are being pumped out of the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant and are flooding into dealerships. Social media sites are a buzz with enthusiasts receiving their new Mustangs—it seems just about every tuner shop in the country has ordered either a Ford Mustang GT with the 435-horsepower 5.0L Coyote, the 2.3L 310-horseower EcoBoost Mustang—or both.
e had the chance to drive both the GT and EcoBoost on a recent trip to California and both models kept us entertained and left us with a childish grin that lasted for hours. “We’re fully committed to building the best Mustang ever,” said Mustang Chief Engineer, Dave Pericak. “We spent a lot of time on the proportions to give it a ground-hugging appearance that’s uncluttered and purposeful.” According to Pericak, the 2015 Ford Mustang has world-class craftsmanship and improvements to enhance the driving experience.
2.3L EcoBoost Mustang
There’s a crazy level of enthusiasm surrounding the new turbocharged EcoBoost Mustang. With we know what to expect from the 5.0L Coyote, the 310 hp turbo-four is an unknown. It enters our world with the promise of power and economy and a base EcoBoost Mustang can be had for around $24,000. It can knock down 31 mph and we’ve already seen modded versions run 12s in the quarter-mile. Brothers Performance is committed to Mustang Performance, so consider us your source for all Mustang performance.
We took the reigns of a Performance Pack-equipped Competition Orange model and headed out for a drive. Sliding behind the wheel, we recognized the Mustang styling cues in the updated interior such as the “eye brows” in the dash, the gauge package and the pony in the steering wheel hub.
There’s a wonderful combination of sportiness and comfort. The shifter has been improved for smoother shifting and it’s now closer to the driver. The cup holders are moved towards the passenger, which clears the path for aggressive shifting. Ford reduced the diameter of the steering wheel, added aircraft-style toggle switches, attractive gauges and a completely revised center stack in the instrument panel. The new IP is shorter so it provides extra legroom, too.
Our tester had the Recaro seats, which hug you like a pair of Vise Grips. The bolstering is huge and keeps you secure during spirited driving, but the chairs are comfortable enough for the daily jaunt. Larger drivers may consider them too tight for anything but track driving.
Ford has done a spectacular job with the clutch and powertrain. The clutch and engine is silky smooth. Clutch take-up is really nice and the engine revs across the powerband quickly and with a great sound. There’s enough grunt to push you back in the seat, but don’t expect V8 torque. What you do get over the GT is the quickest and most responsive handling of any factory Mustang ever produced
The EcoBoost Ford Mustang has amazing balance and compliance that gives the driver confidence and allows you to approach the limit of handling in a safe and secure manner. The brand new Integral Link IRS combines with a double-ball joint independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and tuned stabilizer bar. And it’s all tied together in the S550 chassis that is 28-precent stiffer (on the coupe) than the 2014 Mustang. Braking performance and feel is light years ahead of the outgoing 2005-2014 S197 chassis. Planting the brake pedal in the 2015 Ford Mustang gets the chassis squatting in a controlled fashion, with no noticeable nosedive. This is a huge improvement of the S197 Mustang. Under heavy braking the new Mustang seems to suck to the ground. With this additional grip, turn-in happens quickly and accurately and you can get the power on quickly on corner exit. Ford has also weighted the steering nicely to give you excellent overall feel.
5.0L Mustang GT
In contrast, the Mustang GT felt heavier, but was packing 125 more horsepower and 100 more lb-ft of torque—plus there’s the unmistakable V8 rumble. The power of the 5.0L Coyote is just awesome. It’s got the low-end torque and never runs out of steam, even at the 7,000-rpm redline.
Shifting and clutch actuation mimics the EcoBoost, as does the interior and styling. The Mustang GT comes standard with the 3.31 axle ratio, but a 3.55 is offered as an option. Performance Pack models get the deeper 3.73 gearing and that really lets the Mustang accelerate out of the gate. Performance Pack models also come with massive 15-inch rotors with 6-piston Brembo brakes.
“The Performance Pack gives you a way different feel,” stated Pericak. “The springs on the base GT have a sporty, but comfortable ride. The Performance Pack is more tied down. We have goals for lap times or lateral g numbers and we work hard to optimize the critical areas, keeping in mind the desired feel and character. The Mustang has an edge or rawness,” Pericak added. “You just can’t look at the numbers or the data, there’s a human factor. It’s about the intangibles of the driving experience.”
And while still a tight handler, the additional weight of the V8 gives the EcoBoost the edge in handling feel. Overall balance on the GT was nice, but the nose tended to feel soft by comparison.
The Brothers Performance team is proud to be a part of the Mustang hobby. We’re excited to get on with the journey and see just how far we can push all models of the 2015 Ford Mustang. The EcoBoost has sparked a fire with enthusiasts and we expect to see those turbo four-cylinder Ford Mustang owners going after GT owners. Either way, the Mustang has reached a new level of power, handling, refinement, and comfort. And we’re glad you consider Brothers Performance your source for everything Mustang.
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