When Ford announced the 2.3L High Performance Package (HPP) for the 2020 Ford Mustang, some wondered whether it will be offered in conjunction with the EcoBoost Performance Package (EPP) offered currently. We recently confirmed with Ford officials that the Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package will completely replace the EcoBoost Performance Package, making us take a deep dive into how the Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package compares to the EcoBoost Performance Pack.
Here’s how both packages stack up.
| 2019 EcoBoost Performance Package (EPP) | 2020 2.3-liter High Performance Package (HPP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price: | $2,495.00 | TBD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine: | 2.3L EcoBoost – 310 horsepower, 350 lb-ft of torque | Special 2.3L EcoBoost – 330 horsepower, 350 lb-ft of torque |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic |
| LSD: | 3.55 Torsen Limited-slip Rear-Axle | None* |
| Cooling: | Larger radiator | Larger radiator |
| Exhaust: | Fully-active quad tip exhaust available as standalone option | Fully-active quad tip exhaust standard |
| Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension: | MacPherson strut, heavy duty | MacPherson strut |
| MagneRide: | Available as standalone option | Available with optional Handling Package |
| Front Sway Bar: | 32 mm tubular | 32 mm solid |
| Rear Sway Bar: | 21.7 mm tubular | 24 mm tubular |
| Strut Brace: | Black Painted Strut-Tower Brace | Alloy Strut-Tower Brace |
| Other: | Unique chassis tuning, EPAS, ABS, Stability Control Tuning, and five selectable drive modes | Unique chassis tuning, EPAS, ABS, Stability Control Tuning, and five selectable drive modes |
| Front Brakes: | Four-piston, 13.0-inch rotors | Four-piston, 13.9-inch brake rotors (from Mustang GT) |
| Additional Brake Cooling: | None | Brake cooling ramps (from Mustang GT) |
| Wheels: | 19×9-inch low-gloss Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels | 19×9-inch wheels |
| Tires: | 255/40/R19 Summer-Only Tires | 255/40/19 Pirelli PZero Summer-Only Tires |
| Exterior | ||
| Splitter: | Front splitter (from Mustang GT) | Black front splitter and belly pan |
| Grille: | Regular Mustang EcoBoost | Blacked-out grille with an offset Mustang tri-bar pony badge |
| Mirror Caps: | Regular | Magnetic gray side mirrors |
| Special Badging: | None | Unique 2.3L High Performance Package badge on each side (front fender) |
| Hood Stripes: | None | Unique metallic gray hood stripes |
| Spoiler: | Performance Rear Wing (Fastback), Spoiler Delete (Convertible) | Performance Rear Wing (Fastback), Spoiler Delete (Convertible) |
| Interior | ||
| Instrument Panel: | Engine Spun Aluminum | Engine Spun Aluminum |
| Gauges: | Gauge Pack (Oil Pressure and Boost) | Gauge Pack (Oil Pressure and Boost) |
| Plaque: | None | Serialized dash plaque |
- * Offered with Handling Package, which includes:
- Semi-metallic brakes
- MagneRide dampers
- Torsen 3.55:1 limited-slip rear axle
- 19 x 9.5-inch painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 265/40R Pirelli P Zero Corsa4 summer tires
The Differences
On the powertrain side, the 2.3L High Performance Package offers more power and torque as a result of a unique engine closely related to that of the Focus RS. However, the HPP does not include a Limited Slip Differential as standard equipment. However, the limited slipper can be had on the HPP by getting the optional Handling Package. In addition, the HPP features the active quad-tip exhaust as standard equipment, while the outgoing EcoBoost Performance Package only featured it as an option.
On the chassis side, the biggest difference is that the Mustang 2.3L High Performance Package features more robust stabilizer bars. The front stabilizer bar on the HPP is the same size as the one on the Mustang EcoBoost Performance Package, but the bar itself is solid rather than tubular. Out back, the size of the bar increases on the HPP over the EPP. What’s more, the HPP features larger brakes (from the Mustang GT) along with brake cooling ramps.
On the outside, the Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost High Performance Package will be easier to differentiate than models with the current EcoBoost Performance Package as a result of a blacked-out grille with an offset Mustang tri-bar pony badge, magnetic gray side mirrors, unique 2.3L Performance Package badges on the front fenders, and unique metallic gray hood stripes.
Inside, the biggest difference between the 2.3L High Performance Package and the outgoing EcoBoost Performance Package is the inclusion of the serialized dash plaque on the former. This was not available on the EPP.
Availability
The new 2.3L High Performance Package will launch on the 2020 Ford Mustang this fall. It will be optional on the Fastback Coupe and Convertible models. However, the additional Handling Package will only be available for Fastback Coupe models and requires the HPP.
Pricing has not yet been announced.
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Comments
Thanks for doing this comparison! I was wondering what the difference was between the new High Performance Pack and the current Performance Package. The 13.9″ Front brake rotors are the base GT rotors and not the GT Performance Package rotors? Thanks again for the article!
Uh, the standard Ecoboost has a clutch pack style limited slip diff, so I doubt that the performance version will have an open diff, as it appears you indicate. At least, that’s my takeaway from “*None”.
Assuming there is still a LSD in the non handling pack as it currently comes with one, just the Torson is for PP
Hope you realise the price says $2,495.00!! False ad or error?
Do I get new tie rod ends and front brakes for my 2011 v6 base coupe for pointing out the “error”?
this honestly should be the base package for the ecoboost. Sorry, another Ford Failure
vbondjr1 I like the way you think but when it comes to volume sales there always has to be a base model.
I have a 2018 2.3 with the Ford Performance cold air and performance chip. Will I gain if I get a 2021 mustang 2.3 HiPo?