7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

The GT and Ecoboost versions of the Mustang look damn near identical, but look closely, and there are some very minor differences
7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

Despite the massive differences under the bonnet, the Ecoboost and ‘GT’ V8 versions of the Ford Mustang are virtually identical. However, there’s a reason we use the word ‘virtually’ as a caveat - look closely enough at the two ‘Stangs us UK buyers are treated to, and there are very tiny differences. We had a poke around our own Mustang GT long-term test car and an Ecoboost to see what we could spot…

1. Badging

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

Let’s start with a really obvious one: the GT V8 has a 5.0 badge slapped on each front wing, the Ecoboost does not. It’s something worth pointing out though, as the Ecoboost has no badging at all to give away what it is. No ‘2.3’ badge, no ‘Ecoboost’ lettering - just an absence of that 5.0-litre badge.

2. Boot emblem

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

If you spot a ‘Stang with the iconic galloping horse adorning its rear, you’re looking at an Ecoboost. The V8s get ‘GT’ lettering instead. It’s the same deal on North American ‘Stangs, albeit without the raised circular pieces of trim sitting underneath.

3. Grilles

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

Take a look at the front ends of an Ecoboost and V8 Mustang, and you’ll find the same bonnet, same bumper, and the same set of lights. But there’s one thing that gives the GT away: a plastic grille insert. The Ecoboost on the other hand has one chunk of uninterrupted honeycomb, with a different pattern to the GT’s grille.

4. Splitters

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

While we’re taking a look at the front, you might also spot that the splitter is slightly longer on the GT. This is down to European-spec Mustangs having what’s known as the ‘Performance Pack’ in North America fitted as standard.

5. Wheels

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

This one’s a little more complicated. If they’re the gloss black multispokes on the left, you’re looking at a GT. If the ‘Stang you’re spying is wearing the five-double spokes in the middle, it’s an Ecoboost. But if they’re the silver multispokes on the right, it could be either - these rims are available with the ‘Custom Pack’ on both cars.

While we’re on the subject of wheels, both Ecoboost and GT Mustangs have their rims wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres, although the GT features 255 front/275 rear section boots, as opposed to the Ecoboost making do with 255s both front and rear.

6. Exhaust pipes

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

This is more of a subtle one, but it’s easier to spot than you might think. The Ecoboost’s tailpipes (right) feature fake trim bits with a much sharper edge than the V8’s exhaust exit. Watch your hands, budding fist-testers…

7. Brake callipers

7 Exterior Differences Between The Ford Mustang GT And Ecoboost

The GT gets beefier brakes all round, but the visual difference is most obvious at the front. Here, there are four-piston callipers as opposed to the Ecoboost’s twin-piston examples, painted grey with red Brembo branding.

European GT’s have even larger six-piston brakes, owing to the standard Performance Pack fitment mentioned earlier.

Stay tuned for a full GT vs Ecoboost feature!

Comments

Akashneel

“So similar, yet so different.”

09/15/2016 - 16:11 |
302 | 2
09/15/2016 - 16:45 |
268 | 2
llP VeIoclty

Typo matt, on number 6 exhausts, you put ‘thing’ instead of ‘think’.

Interesting post tho 👍

09/15/2016 - 16:15 |
6 | 2

Good spot!

09/15/2016 - 17:11 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

I feel like the UK tail lights look much better in red than the American version

09/15/2016 - 16:16 |
40 | 4
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Shame we don’t get the integrated DRLs, though

09/15/2016 - 16:36 |
34 | 0
Anonymous

Well, now everyone will be Mustang experts.

09/15/2016 - 16:41 |
18 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It’s to make us able to describe the mustang running into the crowd correctly. Nothing more embarrassing than saying a v8 mustang lost control on the way out of a car meet, while it is actually a ecoboost.

09/15/2016 - 18:07 |
32 | 8
TheFishi

Friend’s Dad bought both EcoBoost and GT, Eco is exactly the same spec as the one here but it’s convertible, GT is all blacked out. Fun to compare both when I went out in them, not a fan of the EcoBoost or really the GT, sound is capped, but sounded good at 140 on a bypass… https://twitter.com/HarryFishi/status/736624881798909953/video/1

09/15/2016 - 16:46 |
4 | 0

“My friends dad”. Even worse then then the classic. “My dad owns” comment

09/15/2016 - 17:38 |
16 | 0
yoad_granat

What about the v6?

09/15/2016 - 17:22 |
12 | 0

They don’t have it in the UK

09/15/2016 - 17:50 |
18 | 0

V6 looks like the EcoBoost, but pretty certain only the V6’s trunk emblem has a vertical rectangle behind the horse. EcoBoost is just the horse.

09/15/2016 - 18:37 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

So if you get the GT, remove the 5.0 badge, replace “GT” for the horse then fit the Ecoboost grill and splitter, then would it be a sleeper?

09/15/2016 - 17:42 |
170 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

LoL maybe :)

09/15/2016 - 18:05 |
22 | 0
Metin Erkmeniş

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The brake callipers would give it away bro

09/16/2016 - 10:57 |
10 | 0
Jason hill

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Not really, everyone’s still going to run away as they don’t want to be run over. 😂

09/19/2016 - 00:11 |
8 | 0
Vincxtd

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I’d rather get the Ecoboost, upgrade the brakes and tune up the boost and you’ll have an ecoboost that is faster in a straight line and also handles better in the corners (because of less weight on the front axle compared to the V8)
also: extra points for being a “sleeper”

09/19/2016 - 17:52 |
2 | 0
Howling Mad Micah

bro 1: is that a 5.0
bro 2: nah bro thats an eco boost
bro 1:oh yah the grill is dif…….

09/15/2016 - 18:21 |
110 | 4

This gave me a good laugh.

09/16/2016 - 13:58 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

We won be able to tell as the Mustang will be crashed and wrecked

09/15/2016 - 18:27 |
0 | 6
[Flux]

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

09/15/2016 - 18:35 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

…

09/15/2016 - 18:30 |
10 | 20
[Flux]

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Honest to God, knock it off. A very interesting article and all you do is ruin it with that crap.

09/15/2016 - 18:34 |
20 | 4

Topics

Manufacturers

Sponsored Posts