Mustang Mach 1 vs GT PP2

In the world of high-performance Mustang variants, the 2021 model year represents a significant transition. For years enthusiasts reveled in a wide variety of optional packages and limited-production models, but many of those — including the Mustang Bullitt and Shelby GT350 — drove off into the sunset. It was a good run, but Ford knew there would be a big gap to fill between the Mustang GT and the Shelby GT500.

That set the stage for the return of the Mach 1 model after a 17-year hibernation. It was certainly sad to see those variants leave the order sheet, but the Mach 1 shows great promise. It certainly has several big shoes to fill, including another option that faded from availability that doesn't get quite the same level of hype — the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2.

PP2 History Breakdown New Kid On The Block Which Is For You? The Numbers

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GT Performance Package - Level 2 History & Breakdown

It was the value proposition for the corner-carving crowd, and was born from Ford engineers' quest to always keep iterating for improved performance. They knew there was enough space between the Mustang GT Performance Pack and the Shelby GT350 to offer something that bridged the gap.

To achieve that goal, engineers spent nights and weekends diving into the parts bin to lift the Brembo six-piston front brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires from the Shelby GT350. Meanwhile, they relied on computer-aided design and 3D printing to develop a front splitter that delivers 24 pounds of downforce at 80 mph.

Along with stronger stoppers and improved aerodynamic, engineers turned up the dial on the sway bars, which are 12-percent stiffer than the Performance Pack Level 1 bars in front and a whopping 67-percent stiffer in the rear. Likewise, the coil springs are 20-percent stiffer up front and 13-percent stiffer out back and they lower the car by half an inch as compared with the PPL1. A K-brace bolsters the chassis up front, providing a solid foundation for the stiffer suspension to work from.

While nothing changes under the hood, as the PPL2 still sports Mustang GT-level outputs of 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, nearly every other aspect of the car benefits from revised calibrations. Engineers tweaked the knobs on the ABS control, stability control, electronic power assist steering and MagneRide. They all benefitted from 'track-inspired' calibrations meant to maximize the package hardware.

Though it received a larger radiator, the real weakness of the PPL2 for track rats was the lack of additional cooling for the engine, transmission, and rear end. Enthusiasts could certainly add those items, but out of the box, this package wasn't really up to sustained laps, especially on hot summer days.

That said, the PPL2 delivers a great combination of grip and a compliant suspension that made it easy to toss the car through the corners. The brakes are up to the task and the Gen 3 Coyote power is more than adequate. If only it had the extra Bullitt power, this package might have made more of name for itself, but at only $6,500 more added to the price of a Mustang GT, it struck a nice balance of value and performance.

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2021 Mustang Mach 1 - The New Kid On The Block

Which brings us to the car that it would appear is replacing the Bullitt, PPL2, and Shelby GT350. While most people think of the Mach 1 as the successor to the Shelby, it is probably more accurately a replacement for the Bullitt and the PPL2, as it still features a 5.0-liter powerplant under the hood. In fact, that Coyote is the same 480-horsepower engine that motivated the more street-oriented Bullitt. The similarities between those two cars end there, however.

When it comes to how the PPL2 stacks up to the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, they actually share some braking components, including the booster and six-piston front Brembos. From there, however, the Mach 1 benefits from its predecessors in much the same way that the PPL2 did before it debuted in 2018. While its styling pays tribute to the Mach 1 legacy, underneath it borrows from every S550 performance variant to date.

In addition to the aforementioned Bullitt engine and PPL2 brakes, it leans heavily on the outgoing and current Shelby Mustangs. While the GT350 left a legendary mark in pony car history, some of its heritage carries on with the Mach 1. Not only does the engine wear the GT350 intake manifold, but this engine is track ready thanks in part to the addition of the Shelby's engine oil cooler. It shares the same front subframe and rear subframe with stiffer bushings and stepping up to the optional Handling Package adds the same tire setup. Most significant of the parts sharing, however, is the standard Tremec 3160 six-speed manual transmission complete with short-throw shifter and dual-disc clutch.

Reaching above its pay grade, the Mach 1 even benefits from some of the GT500's engineering prowess. Further bolstering its on-track capabilities are the rear-axle cooling system, rear toe-link, rear tire spats, and lower diffuser from the halo Shelby. Those stepping up the optional Handling Package also gain the GT500's Swing rear wing with Gurney flap.

That flap is part of a comprehensive aerodynamics makeover that improves downforce by 150 percent versus the PPL1 and 22 percent more downforce in its base form. Creating that improvement is a belly pan that extends 20 percent farther back and wears an underwing and air foils for brake cooling. Its grilles balance aerodynamics and cooling, while the complementary rear spoilers optimize lift balance.

In all the improved aerodynamics and cooling upgrades borrow from both Shelbys, enhance the Mach 1's cooling capabilities, which help it achieve the target of the being the “the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever” by delivering more track capability and durability. Apparently, the Mach 1 will hang with a GT350 on a tight road course where the Shelby can't flex its full Voodoo muscle, and that is saying something as Car and Driver found that the PPL2 delivered more grip than a GT350 — 1.13 g versus 1.09 g respectively — but the GT350 lapped the same track two seconds faster than the PPL2 in its test, according to Car & Driver.

So, on paper, the 2021 Mach 1 would seem to have all the advantages on a road course. Though it only has 20 more horsepower, it takes advantage of all of Ford's S550 chassis and suspension tuning to this point. With the optional Handling Package, it should really be no contest in the corners, but there is something else to consider. The Mach 1 is available with something that none of the cars it replaces offered — an automatic transmission. Cars with that option should perform quite well in a straight line as well.

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Which Is For You - PP2 or Mach 1?

We'll have to wait until the spring of 2021 to see how it performs in the real world, however, but it's clear that performance advantage will cost a bit more. With a base price of $52,915, the Mach 1 is $7,340 more than a Mustang GT with the PPL2, but you get a lot more performance content for that price. Stepping up to the Handling Package adds another $3,500 to the window sticker, which really makes the PPL2 look like a bargain. Manual Mach 1s with the Handling Package start at $56,415, while Handling Package Mach 1s with automatics start at $58,010.

Of course, whether you own a PPL2 and want to step it up to hang with a stock Mach 1 or you want to take that new Mach 1 you have on order to a new level, the team at Steeda developed a full complement of upgrades to help your S550 be all it can be.

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Mustang Mach 1 vs GT Performance Package 2 - The Numbers

Vehicle Specification	2018-2020 Mustang GT PP2	2021 Mustang Mach 1
Base Price	$44,685	$52,915
Drivetrain Layout	Front Engine, RWD	Front-engine, RWD
Engine	"Coyote" Gen III 5.0L Ti-VCT 32V V8, Aluminum Block & Cylinder Heads	Upgraded "Coyote" Gen III 5.0L Ti-VCT 32V V8, GT350 Intake Manifold, Throttle Body, Intake; Revised Calibration
Valvetrain	32V DOHC TI-VCT	32V DOHC TI-VCT
Displacement	5.0L, 302 Cubic Inches	5.0L, 302 Cubic Inches
Compression Ratio	12.0:1	TBA
Horsepower	460 hp @ 7,000 rpm	480 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque	420 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm	420 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
Redline	7,500 RPM	TBA
Transmission	Getrag MT-82 6-speed Manual Transmission	TREMEC TR-3160 6-speed Manual Transmission (std.) or 10R80 10-Speed Automatic Transmission (opt.)
Rear Axle Ratio	Torsen 3.73	Torsen 3.73 (manual) or Torsen 3.55 (auto)
Front Suspension Configuration	MagneRide Dampers, Struts, Coil Springs, Adj Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar	MagneRide Dampers, Struts, Coil Springs, Adj Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar
Rear Suspension Configuration	MagneRide Dampers, Coil Springs, Adj Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar	MagneRide Dampers, Coil Springs, Adj Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar
Brakes, Front & Rear	Brembo 6-Piston Front, Single Piston Rear	Brembo 6-Piston Front, Single Piston Rear (Red or Orange Painted, opt.)
Wheels	19” x 10.5” F / 19” x 11” R, Aluminum Alloy	19” x 9.5” / 19” x 10”, Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum (std.) 19” x 9.5” / 19” x 10”, Magnetic-painted aluminum (opt.) 19" x 10.5" / 19" x 11", Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum (Handling Pack)
Tires	305/30R19 103Y / 305/30R19 104Y, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2	255/40R19 / 275/40R19, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (std.) 305/30R19 / 315/30R19, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Handling Pack)

Source: Car & Driver | Ford

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