Though cars like the Shelby GT500 and Camaro ZL1 1LE get the big headlines, both Ford and Chevy have more affordable performance offerings. The latest is the (deep breath) 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package.
Like the previous EcoBoost Performance Package car, it gets upgraded
suspension, limited-slip differential, tires and brakes, but now it also
gets a version of the Ford Focus RS
turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that now makes 330
horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It can also be augmented with
more aggressive suspension and tires with the Handling Package. Chevy,
of course, is continuing to offer its 1LE track package for both its
2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated 3.6-liter
V6, which come with suspension upgrades and additional cooling
components for track work. We figured now was a good time to see how
these cars stack up when it comes to the numbers. You can find all the
specifications in the chart below, and further analysis after that.
Engines, transmissions and performance
As we just mentioned, the Mustang
EcoBoost High Performance Package gets only one engine option, a
four-cylinder with 330 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That's a
whopping 55 more horsepower and pound-feet of torque than the 275
ponies and 295 pound-feet of the four-cylinder Camaro. The V6 Camaro
makes five more horsepower at 335, but it has an even bigger torque
deficit of 66 pound-feet compared to the Mustang.
Though the Mustang only features one engine, it has two available
transmissions: a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. The Camaro
1LE models are restricted to a six-speed manual transmission only. The
Camaro Turbo
1LE does have a nifty feature that allows you to keep the throttle
pinned while shifting for faster shifts with less lost boost between
gears. Both the Ford and the Chevy models get a limited-slip
differential, but the Ford has a shorter ratio with a 3.55 rear end,
while the four-cylinder and V6 Camaros have a 3.27 rear diff.
With
more power and a shorter rear-end ratio, it's no surprise that the
Mustang is the acceleration king. With an automatic, it hits 60 mph in
just 4.5 seconds, and with a manual, in 4.9 seconds. The V6 Camaro is
next in line, reaching 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The Camaro Turbo 1LE
brings up the rear with a time of 5.5 seconds. As for fuel economy, the Mustang and the Camaro Turbo tie with an average fuel economy of 23 mpg. The V6 Camaro is thirstier with 20 mpg average.
Exterior and interior dimensions
From the outside, the
Mustang and Camaro are very close, but the Mustang is larger by up to an
inch in length, width and height. The Mustang is also significantly
heavier than either Camaro. The V6 Camaro is lighter than the Mustang by
187 pounds, and the Camaro Turbo beats the Ford by 296 pounds.
Inside,
the Camaro has more front headroom, but less front legroom. Those
advantages flip for the rear seats, but really, no one should be forced
to ride in those back seats. In our experience, we've found the Camaro
to feel more claustrophobic with its high sills and low roof. The
Mustang feels airy in comparison. The Mustang's 13.5 cubic foot trunk is
much larger than the Camaro's diminutive 9.1 cubic foot trunk.
Pricing and features
The
Mustang High Performance Package is reasonably priced when compared to
the Camaro V6 1LE. The Ford starts at $32,670 with no options, which is
only $180 more than the Chevy. The Camaro Turbo 1LE is the bargain, with
a base price of $30,995, about $1,700 less than the Ford. The Ford gets
pricey when adding the Handling Package, which brings the price to
$36,755. The $1,995 package features magnetorheological suspension,
thicker anti-roll bars, even wider tires and stiffer springs, but it
also requires the addition of the $2,000 101A Equipment Package that has
SYNC 3 infotainment and selectable drive modes.
It's worth noting
once more exactly what comes in each of these performance packages from
the get-go, too. In addition to the engine, the Mustang High
Performance Package gets brakes from the Mustang GT including
four-piston front calipers, a shock tower brace, retuned suspension and
traction control. It also gets a unique grille, badging, stripes and
rear spoiler. The Camaro 1LE comes with all the suspension components
from the V8 Camaro SS, four-piston front brake calipers, wider tires,
additional radiators and engine oil and differential coolers. On the
outside, the 1LE gets satin black wheels, hood, mirrors and rear
spoiler. One final note, the Camaro 1LE is only available as a coupe,
whereas the Mustang EcoBoost Performance Package can be had as a
convertible as well as the coupe. The Handling Package is not available
on the convertible, though.
