2023 GT vs GTPE performance specs

[Mach1E]

I hadn’t seen this comparison from an actual magazine but the numbers they posted, some were kinda surprising!

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt-first-test-review/

Acceleration- this one didn’t surprise me. Seems all within the margin of error we have seen from different tests. (Margin of error from traction, temperature and state of charge).

But both ran the same 3.6 0-60 in separate tests and in this test the regular GT was actually faster in the 1/4 mile by .2 and 3 mph. Side note- they said they ran in “unbridled extend” which I don’t believe. Likely just unbridled.

Now this is where it gets interesting. Seems the larger brakes and grippier tires make a LARGE difference in performance.

Braking-

(GT)- “With repeated stops from 60 mph, the distances grew from 112 (best) to 119 feet. Whereas the larger brakes and summer tires on the PE shrank the distances from 109 to 105 (best) feet with little sign of fading, even stopping from 100 mph to zero. Moral: Don't skimp on brakes, especially for a heavy EV with a GT badge and the performance to back it up.”

Handling-

“
Pirelli P Zero Elect summer tires pay dividends in cornering grip, as well. With them, the GT Performance Edition accomplished a two-direction average of 0.96 g in lateral acceleration on the skidpad. This Continental CrossContact RX all-season-tired Mach-E GT managed an OK 0.86 g. Both boasted 50/50 weight distribution on our scales.

Put this GT's equivalent acceleration together with longer/less predictable stopping distances and reduced lateral grip compared to the Performance Edition for a lap ofMotorTrend's figure-eight course. The result is a predictable 1.0-second deficit over the 0.3-mile lap, 25.9 versus 24.9 seconds. “

Bottom line? The better brakes and tires and suspension on the GTPE do make for a significant measurable difference. It’s not just that extra 34 lb/ft of tq.

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[silverelan]

It's interesting to see the GT's 0-60 time instrument tested to be identical to the GTPE's. The braking comparison is certainly a bit of a disappointment; I didn't realize there was that much of a disparity. Suspension for the GT was always going to be a shortcoming, but it's fine.

Motortrend calls out the tires on the GT saying that the Continental CrossContact RX tires fall short on grip. The skidpad numbers are a revelation with a huge gap between the Contis and Pirellis. I've noticed when pushed hard, the Contis aren't as gripy as I'd like but they're fine for road trips. I'm likely going to replace them with the Hankook Ion AS since I prioritize range & tire wear over performance.

 

[HuntingPudel]

<SNIP>
Bottom line? The better brakes and tires and suspension on the GTPE do make for a significant measurable difference. It’s not just that extra 34 lb/ft of tq.

Bigger brakes and Magneride are why I went with the GT-PE (well, Ford also claimed that the wheels were forged vs. cast on the GT and we found out that was false with @0t60-3.5 getting the first world wide delivery). Bigger brakes have more repeatable performance. Magneride controls handling better over rough surfaces. I just went a lot bigger on the tires so that I wouldn’t lose performance but could use all-seasons. ??

 

[Mach1E]

Bigger brakes and Magneride are why I went with the GT-PE (well, Ford also claimed that the wheels were forged vs. cast on the GT and we found out that was false with @0t60-3.5 getting the first world wide delivery). Bigger brakes have more repeatable performance. Magneride controls handling better over rough surfaces. I just went a lot bigger on the tires so that I wouldn’t lose performance but could use all-seasons. ??

Ford also claimed (and never backed off from that claim) that the GTPE was 3/10 faster 0-60 (one of the reasons I paid extra) and we all know this not to be true.

I don’t put a ton of stake in the 1/4 mile times only because we know how much weather and state of charge can vary with these cars. So unless they do a side by side can’t confirm much. But since we have 3 years of data it’s safe to say the 3/10 claim from Ford is basically BS.

The other difference (braking and handling) are much more significant than I expected. And based on the brake fade, it’s not just the tires.

 

[gtb75]

I would have bought a GTPE if I could get "base" GT seats with it. My MME is my daily driver (I have other dedicated fun/track cars) and while the shoulder bolsters are nice in corners, they make reaching around to get to the back seat basically impossible. Between that and fixed headrest I decided to save the $5k and go with the base GT instead. Summer tires would address a lot of the performance advantages the GTPE has on the street.

 

[Mach1E]

I would have bought a GTPE if I could get "base" GT seats with it. My MME is my daily driver (I have other dedicated fun/track cars) and while the shoulder bolsters are nice in corners, they make reaching around to get to the back seat basically impossible. Between that and fixed headrest I decided to save the $5k and go with the base GT instead. Summer tires would address a lot of the performance advantages the GTPE has on the street.

I think that’s the surprise from the test. I thought the same (that summer tires would fill the gap in performance).

But the gap is MUCH larger than I expected and it will take more than just tires.

Those skidpad numbers for the GT are pretty much the same as a regular premium. And you aren’t gaining .1 G just from swapping summer tires.

Same goes for the brake fade. And of course we know the mag ride advantages.

Another test that would be interesting would be a GTPE with the optional all-season tires.

Or we could just look at a 2024 GT (mag ride and bigger brakes) with all-seasons to see what real difference the tires make.

Kinda sad it’s September and we still don’t have instrumented tests from a 2024 GT. Other manufacturers are already testing 2025 models!

 

[silverelan]

I would have bought a GTPE if I could get "base" GT seats with it. My MME is my daily driver (I have other dedicated fun/track cars) and while the shoulder bolsters are nice in corners, they make reaching around to get to the back seat basically impossible. Between that and fixed headrest I decided to save the $5k and go with the base GT instead. Summer tires would address a lot of the performance advantages the GTPE has on the street.

I've sat in the GTPE seats in a showroom and was disappointed in how they felt. I really didn't like the shoulder wings. The base GT seats strike a good balance between comfort and bolstering. I just wish that the seat bottom was tiltable. The longer I own the GT the more I wish I had Magneride.

 

[Just Lurking]

Yep. Identical real-world acceleration plus needing All Season tires is is why I purposely chose to forgo the PE option and save a few grand on my '22 GT.

Doesn't surprise me that the Summer Performance tires perform so much better - tires make a big difference, but unfortunately Summer Performance tires aren't a good option for my climate. It's partly why I'm so baffled with all the tire threads that begin with tire mileage longevity/warranty as the main criteria...?‍

Four tiny patches of rubber are the only thing between your vehicle with its precious occupant(s) and the road. The stickier and higher performing the tire, the better will be your cornering, emergency lane change abilities, and braking, all things that could save your life or the life of a loved one. That performance comes at the expense of the number of miles your tire can endure, but it's a trade-off that is well worth it IMHO.

 

[AliRafiee]

Bigger brakes and Magneride are why I went with the GT-PE (well, Ford also claimed that the wheels were forged vs. cast on the GT and we found out that was false with @0t60-3.5 getting the first world wide delivery). Bigger brakes have more repeatable performance. Magneride controls handling better over rough surfaces. I just went a lot bigger on the tires so that I wouldn’t lose performance but could use all-seasons. ??

I’m pretty sure the brakes are identical.
https://www.brembo.com/en/company/news/brembo-brakes-featured-on-mustang-mach-e-gt

 

[zvez]

I’m pretty sure the brakes are identical.
https://www.brembo.com/en/company/news/brembo-brakes-featured-on-mustang-mach-e-gt

wonder what would account for the difference in braking, the magneride perhaps? In the article he states the PE brake rotors are .91 inch bigger.

 

[AliRafiee]

wonder what would account for the difference in braking, the magneride perhaps? In the article he states the PE brake rotors are .91 inch bigger.

Mostly tires.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I’m pretty sure the brakes are identical.
https://www.brembo.com/en/company/news/brembo-brakes-featured-on-mustang-mach-e-gt

No. The Non-Magneride cars (Select, Premium, and US-spec GT) all have the same front brakes. The 2021-2023 GT just has red calipers. The GT-PE has larger calipers and 385mm rotors up front. You can fit 18” wheels on a regular GT. There are 19” wheels that will not fit on the Magneride cars (although there are 19” wheels that do). ??

Now, the 2024 US-spec GT has caught up with the rest of the world and has Magneride and 385mm front rotors. There is no more GT-PE. This is the way it should have been in the US, but Ford seemed to want to bamboozle and confuse those buying in the US. ??

 

[HuntingPudel]

Mostly tires.

While tires will make a difference in braking and handling, larger rotors make the performance more repeatable. The GT’s brakes faded and could not maintain level of performance where the GT-PE’s braking performance remained relatively consistent over multiple stops. That’s always been the reason to go larger in the brakes, not to get stopping distance. Stopping distance is more a function of how much traction can to muster on all 4 tires over the braking run. That’s all tire and suspension design, provided that the brakes have enough leverage and pressure to slow the car. ??

 

[Mach1E]

While tires will make a difference in braking and handling, larger rotors make the performance more repeatable. The GT’s brakes faded and could not maintain level of performance where the GT-PE’s braking performance remained relatively consistent over multiple stops. That’s always been the reason to go larger in the brakes, not to get stopping distance. Stopping distance is more a function of how much traction can to muster on all 4 tires over the braking run. That’s all tire and suspension design, provided that the brakes have enough leverage and pressure to slow the car. ??

“Mostly tires” is what regular GT owners secretly hope because they don’t want to feel like they missed out on something good.

“Mostly the brakes and mag ride” is what GTPE owners hope because we don’t want to feel we wasted our money.

Until we see a GTPE on all seasons or 2024 GT on all seasons test, we won’t know for sure what makes the bigger difference- the tires or the hardware.

 

[eastern refugee]

I've sat in the GTPE seats in a showroom and was disappointed in how they felt. I really didn't like the shoulder wings. The base GT seats strike a good balance between comfort and bolstering. I just wish that the seat bottom was tiltable. The longer I own the GT the more I wish I had Magneride.

I have a 2023 MME GT and a 2024 MME RALLY. I should have gotten the GTPE. In my opinion
thr GT is a fast car that reminds me of a 1960s era muscle car. Fast and stiff. The Rally is like a Ferrari. It is fast and smooth. It glides. The Ralley with 700 torque forces you into the seat when you launch. I also like the seats better. I love my GT but the Rally is one heck of a car. Fog lights are awesome at night.

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