Tickford powers up Mustang to 400kW

AUSTRALIAN tuning specialist Tickford has released its first three enhancement packages for the recently facelifted Ford Mustang sportscar, with the GT grade gaining a more potent tune for its 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine.

 

Forgoing forced induction for natural aspiration, the Tickford-enhanced GT produces 400kW of power and 632Nm of torque, up 61kW and 76Nm over the standard vehicle due to the recalibration of its Engine Control Unit (ECU).

 

Unlike the pre-facelift model, the new Mustang did not require additional modification, such as a cold-air intake with a K&N filter and a 3.0-inch full exhaust system, to achieve these outputs, as it now features direct fuel injection.

 

Tickford’s enhancement package for the previous GT cost $6990 and saw outputs rise from 306kW/530Nm to 360kW/585Nm.

 

However, facelifted GT owners are able to purchase the new enhancement package from just $2750, which includes an individual build number and a Tickford Enhanced badge.

 

Alternatively, buyers can step up to a $5990 enhancement package that also features black, silver or deep bronze 20-inch Tickford alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

 

An extra $3000 further adds coil-over sports suspension that reduces ride height by 25mm and was developed in conjunction with Australian suspension supplier H&R. Tickford side stripe decals are bundled in, too.

 

All enhanced GTs come with a warranty from Tickford, which covers the driveline for three years/100,000km and the parts for one year/20,000km.

 

The $8990 enhancement package is not available on GTs optioned with Ford’s MagneRide suspension ($3575), and none of the packages can be fitted to the incoming, limited-edition Bullitt.

 

However, there are no other restrictions, with the Fastback and Convertible body styles upgradeable alongside the six-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmission.

 

The new enhancement packages are exclusively available at the Melbourne Tickford Enhancement Centre (TEC) in Campbellfield, Victoria, but will be rolled out to other TECs in the coming weeks.

 

According to Tickford managing director Rod Nash, the company has been working hard since the facelifted Mustang’s Australian launch in June to deliver the new enhancement packages to its customers.

 

“We obtained one of the first Mustangs to land on Australian shores and immediately commenced

development work to understand the implications of the subtle changes made to the engine by Ford, including the use of direct injection,” he said.

 

“Over this past month or so, the engineering team have been working feverishly on the new engine and understanding the implications of the engine updates, as well as the new active exhaust system.

 

“Following weeks spent on the dyno, this is the end result, which we are very happy with. It certainly enhances the power and driveability of the car.”

 

The company told GoAuto that is evaluating similar enhancement packages for the facelifted Mustang’s EcoBoost grade when it enters Ford showrooms this month.

 

“As there are minimal changes on the surface, it appears relatively simple to do,” Tickford marketing coordinator Ashley Miniken said. “However, as the demand for V8 enhancements is stronger, we are focusing on those packages first.”

 

Additionally, a supercharger package from Ford Performance Parts is in the final stages of development, with customer orders already being taken, while Nappa leather interior packages (suede and leather or full leather) are also available.

 

For reference, GT pricing starts from $62,990 before on-road costs for the manual Fastback, rising to $66,259 for the automatic Fastback and $74,709 for the automatic Convertible.

 

Sales of the Mustang have taken a hit this year, with 4202 examples sold to the end of August – a 37.4 per cent decrease over the 6715 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.

 

Nonetheless, it is still the best-selling sportscar in the sub-$80,000 segment, outpacing the BMW 2 Series Coupe and Convertible (948 units), Toyota 86 (688), Mazda MX-5 (586), Subaru BRZ (518) and Hyundai Veloster (425), among others.