Ford's New Customization Program Aims to Democratize Performance

• Ford is making a significant investment to scale up its factory and aftermarket parts, accessories, and turnkey performance business.
• Most parts, mods, and vehicles can be financed through Ford Credit.
• The Ford Maverick 300T, Mustang GT FP800s, and F-150 FP700 are all available as showroom-ready performance models.
  

Ford says over half of its customers are customizing their vehicles in some manner. That's a bold statement, but when you consider that it includes things as simple as floor mats and cargo-organizing systems, it's plausible. But while keeping your Explorer's carpets unsoiled and ensuring that a case of mid-priced Pinot Grigio survives the trip home from the grocery store unscathed is a noble cause, the real fun involves hardware like the 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger that blows hard enough to inflate the output of the current Mustang GT's stock 480-hp 5.0-liter V-8 to a hearty 800 horsepower.

That number rises to 810 with active exhaust, and we know you're counting. Just the thing for picking up some green tea and croissants on a lazy Sunday morning. But questions remain: Do the accessories come pre-installed from the factory? Can I add them to the vehicle I already own? Can I install them myself or have my preferred wrench do it? Is it street legal? And what about the warranty; does it become worthless once I start turning wrenches?

Horsepower: Have it Your Way

That's where Ford Customization comes in. The integration of Genuine Ford Accessories, Ford Racing Parts, and Ford Custom Garage, it creates a single focal point to streamline the experience for all. "There's no right way to be an enthusiast, only your way," says Ford in a tagline eerily similar to one made famous by a popular national hamburger chain in the 1970s. (Hint: think king, not clown.)

Want a factory-built 810-hp Mustang SP800 delivered to the showroom ready to rock? Bring your checkbook and Ford Customization has your back. Looking to buy a supercharger to install on your Mustang or F-150 in the comfort of your own garage? Ford Customization has got a blower with your name on it. And tunes, springs, wings, and all manner of hardware that makes enthusiasts get all bothered.

Supercharged Fun, Warranted

And either way, your three-year, 36,000-mile powertrain warranty remains in place. Which products do not maintain the factory warranty wasn't divulged, but rest assured that adding the Torque Boost software calibration to your Bronco or Ranger Raptor won't void your warranty if installed by the dealer, nor will mounting the supercharger to the V-8 in your Mustang or F-150.

But the real value here is all of these bits are designed, engineered, and tested with the vehicle, not after the fact. That means most of the hardware and complete vehicles are available at launch, no need to wait around for outsider reverse engineering to come up with it. And here's where things get even better: most of these products and services can be financed through Ford Credit.

Maverick 300T Proof of Concept

To give us a taste of just how well-integrated these upgrades can be, Ford let us have a little—very little—seat time in a variety of models that had been touched by the Ford Customization program.

First up was the Maverick 300T on a tragically short autocross course. As we've previously reported, the 300T delivers on the promise shown by the Maverick Lobo. We drove them back-to-back, and our early assessment was spot on. The mods include an upgraded turbocharger that helps the 2.3-liter four make 300 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, additional cooling and a larger intercooler, a specific software tune, and 20-inch Mustang Mach-E GT wheels with 245-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

Driven back-to-back with the Lobo, the 300T, which is built on the AWD XL and XLT trims, proved to ramp up the intensity predictably, offering sharper turn-in and far improved rotation under throttle. Sadly, no timing hardware was on site to document the effectiveness of the setup, but we're talking improvements measured in seconds.

We've already tested the F-150 with the FP700 package, and the Maverick, within obvious horsepower limitations, feels like a mini-me of that package.

We also got a quick shot at the full-boat Mustang GT with the FP800S Bronze MagneRide package, essentially a GT with Whipple Supercharger and a host of other additional mods, including MagneRide adaptive dampers with a unique tune (Ford Performance ProCal 4), a Ford Performance half-shaft upgrade kit, 305/30ZR-19 rubber up front and 315/30ZR-19 in the rear, and a bunch more.

At the risk of sounding obvious, the package feels like a Mustang that's suffered mild radiation poisoning that had the side effect of amplifying every one of its already well- defined muscles and reactions. Again, no timing equipment was present during our short exposure to the FP800S, but this is definitely a vehicle we're excited to strap our test gear to in the future.

Under 30, Overpowered

Ford says its research indicates that the under-30 demographic is not only customizing at a higher rate than other age brackets, but they are doing bigger and more intense modifications. Based on that, Ford thinks there's room for expansion and growth in the aftermarket segment, and it's poised to get its share of the multi-billion-dollar market. Here's hoping they bring back the Country Squire station wagon with an 810-hp supercharged V-8, adaptive dampers, and NASCAR-worthy brakes.

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Andrew Wendler brings decades of wrenching, writing, and editorial experience with numerous outlets to Car and Driver. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Car and Driver, Esquire, Forbes, Hot Rod, Motor Trend, MPH, MSN, and Popular Mechanics, among others. A Rust Belt native and tireless supporter of the region, he grew up immersed in automotive, marine, and aviation culture. A lifetime of hands-on experience and a healthy dose of skepticism provide him the tools to deliver honest and informative news, reviews, and editorial perspective. Of note, he once won a $5 bet by walking the entire length of the elevated People Mover up track that encircles downtown Detroit.