2010 Ford Mustang with handling Track Pack

The 2010 Ford Mustang is already in dealer showrooms, but the optional packages are just starting to pour in. For those customers interested in more-aggressive performance, an optional factory-installed Track Pack is available this summer for 2010 Ford Mustang GT coupes with manual transmission.

Ford Racing’s FR3 Handling Package also is available for those enthusiasts who want even more aggressive suspension tuning and can be installed in their garage or at a Ford dealer. Car and Driver magazine recently declared a 2010 Mustang equipped with a Track Pack the winner in a comparison test against the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, calling the body control of the Mustang with the Track Pack “astounding.”

For decades, the Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of racing compiling victories and championships on road courses all over the world. In just the last few years Ford Racing’s Mustang FR500C captured the European GT4 drivers championship (2007, 2008) and the Grand-AM KONI Challenge championship (2005, 2008).

Both the 2010 V6 and GT models feature improved handling, but Team Mustang wanted to create a distinctive option package aimed at performance enthusiasts. Starting with the 2010 GT manual coupe, the engineering team was able to create a package that hits the sweet spot.

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.

The roll gradient (how much the car rolls while steering) was reduced nearly 13% compared with the base 2010 Mustang GT. Damping was increased by 23% in the front and 8 percent in the rear in the low- to mid-speed compared to the 2010 Mustang GT.

In addition to the hardware changes and extensive tuning, the Ford team also took a more holistic approach to improving the Track Pack Mustang.

The solution from the powertrain part of the equation was to use a 3.73 limited-slip axle with carbon-fiber clutch plates.

Performance Friction 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.

Ford Racing’s FR3 Handling Pack features components proven out on the racetrack. Included in the pack are dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace.

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.

 

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