Driving Line VOLUME V ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2019 | Page 33

DOWN:
Track-day and autocross enthusiasts
face an embarrassment of riches on the
current muscle-car scene. There has
never been a better time to head down
to your local dealership and drive home
in a V8-powered rocket that’s been set
up not just to crush the competition at
the dragstrip—as with the drag-focused
2019 FORD MUSTANG GT PP2
performance packs of old—but also The Mustang GT PP2 is the newcomer, Mustang GT, which comes standard with PP1 config, a more aggressive tune for
carve corners and hang with exotic Ford’s answer to the stunning salvo that was a 460hp, 5.0L V8 that also produces 420 the MagneRide system and all electronic
sports coupes featuring significantly the Camaro SS 1LE just a few short years lb-ft of torque. Like the PP1 Mustang, it traction- and stability-control features, a
more extravagant price tags. ago. Although the Performance Pack 1 car offers a MagneRide magnetically adaptive different front splitter and rear spoiler and
already offered a slew of upgrades over the suspension system, a strut-tower brace as tires running a square 305/305R19.
Two of the latest entries into the “it standard GT, it wasn’t nearly as well-received well as a K-brace underneath the front end turns, too” segment of the muscle-machine as the Chevrolet effort, and as such, didn’t of the car, enhanced cooling by way of a Experienced drivers will no doubt
market also happen to be lifelong rivals get the same level of traction among the larger radiator as compared the GT spec, latch on to the fact that it’s the tires,
and natural enemies on the gearhead track-day set. The Performance Pack 2 a 3.73:1 gear ratio for its Torsen limited-slip wheels and shock tune that are likely to
scene: the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS attempts to rectify this by focusing on a few rear and Brembo six-piston front calipers make the most difference on the PP2 car.
1LE and the 2019 Ford Mustang GT PP2. key areas that make all the difference in a gripping 15-inch discs (with 13-inchers The tires offer incredible grip, but one can
high-performance environment, particularly hanging out back). only take advantage of that if the contact
Assuming you don’t bleed blue or
wear a bow tie every day, which of these
one where the car will be seeing session
after session of abuse.
well-equipped track beasts is the better
patches remain in contact with the asphalt
PP2-exclusive additions include as much as possible, which required the
lightweight forged-aluminum rims (19x10.5 ones and zeros managing MagneRide to
be reprogrammed accordingly.
contender for your performance dollars? To snag the PP2, you need to order up front, 19x11 at the rear), springs and
Let’s take a deeper dive into both the 1LE a six-speed manual coupe version of the sway bars that are stiffer than the original
and PP2 and move past the blinding of
brand loyalty for a more clear-headed
look at what each has to offer.
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