Brooklyn ― Ford Motor Co.'s toy store just got a lot bigger.With extensive accessory options for brand icons Bronco, Maverick, Mustang, and F-150 models (with more models in the pipeline), Ford Custom Garage encourages owners to customize their new buys with a dizzying array of decals, wheels, interiors, shocks, and engine performance parts ― all under the umbrella of a factory warranty. Goodbye aftermarket, hello Ford dealer configurator.The DIY-palooza not only acknowledges that 46% of new Ford buyers accessorize their models, but it leans into Ford's redefinition as a maker of passion vehicles. No longer wedded to filling every market segment, Ford — like a premium brand ― seeks to light a fire with customers. "(We're) getting out of the boring-car business and into the iconic-vehicle business," CEO Jim Farley told CAR magazine in 2024. The cheapest model on the Ford lot is now a $30k Maverick.AdvertisementAdvertisementThink Porsche which has created an a la carte menu for its cars so owners can spec it to their individual taste."There are vehicles that we want to make sure capture a broad audience, but we always know there's individualized taste," said Ford Racing Parts Planning Supervisor Ryan Long. "Everybody's unique. We want to resonate with those individual customers ... and provide them more of what they are looking for. (We) give them the option to take their vehicle to the next level safely through a dealer warranty."After a day burning rubber all over Michigan International Speedway's 1,400-acre campus in the Irish Hills, here are the highlights of the hottest accessories for your next Ford Dream Cruiser.Mustang FP800S. The FP800S package puts a $48,795 Mustang GT on a steroid diet with 810 horsepower and 615 horsepower compared to the standard V-8's 480 and 415. That's, ahem, just five horses shy of a $327,960 Mustang GTD supercar and more than a $106k, 795-horse Mustang Dark Horse SC for way fewer dollars.AdvertisementAdvertisementWAUURGGH! I popped the clutch at 3,000 RPM and laid rubber down the paddock of MIS, the FP800's torque overwhelming the rear tires.You can choose the $10,500 Whipple supercharger by itself in the configurator ... but the safer bet is the full, $18,500 FP800 package (before installation labor) that includes upgraded rear half shafts to handle the added 50% twist. The package also comes with upgrades springs, dampers, and swaybar for a 25% increase in chassis stiffness.That was evident as I flung my Mustang FP800S around the infield course. I inhaled short chutes with the massive V-8 torque ― the 5.0-liter Coyote engine howling ― but the stiffer chassis meant my hair didn't turn white entering approaching turns. Stable turn-in, planted exit.Brooklyn, Michigan - Ford Custom Garage brings custom options to Mustang GT models, adding power, chassis, and aerodynamic upgrades.But wait, there's more.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers can also option active, magnetic-ride shocks so you have three drive modes to manage ride stiffness: NORMAL, SPORT, TRACK. Owners, in addition to the FP800S's signature colored nostrils/wheels, can option carbon fiber accessories like a rear wing.In the universe of GT, Dark Horse, Dark Horse SC, and GTD trims (not to mention aftermarket Shelby, Roush, and RTR models), you'll want your custom mod to stand out.Brooklyn, Michigan - Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne exercised the Ford Custom Garage-equipped Mustang FP800S at Michigan International Speedway.Ford F-150. By contrast, I liked the 700-horsepower, $10,250 supercharger-only option for Ford's light duty truck.Available on any V8-powered trim, the Whipple supercharger is the ultimate stealth performance accessory. The Porsche at the Dream Cruise stoplight won't know what hit 'em until their doors have been sucked off — the eerie shriek of the supercharged truck disappearing in the distance.AdvertisementAdvertisementLike the 'Stang's FP800S package, however, the F-150's full, $26,875 FP700S package brings plenty of bling. Think bespoke lowered suspension, wheels, tires, fender badge, graphic, and front splitter on any 5.0-liter Coyote V8-equipped F-50 trim.VROOOM! That sonic boom you heard all the way in Detroit when I nailed the throttle for a 0-60 mph run in an FP700S-equipped Lariat trim was thanks to an extra Custom Garage exhaust accessory. How loud? It drowned out the supercharger whine. Superchargers are in, electric motors are out.Maverick SV300T. Not content to let big brother F-series have all the fun, the Maverick truck also has Custom Garage game.The sub-compact pickup has been a mega-hit from the hybrid fuel-sipper to the Lobo street rod. Lobo boasts 250-horses from its 2.0-liter turbo-4 and drifting abilities thanks to twin, rear-clutch packs pulled off the ol' Focus RS hot hatch.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe ST300T package (T for turbo) offers the Maverick's athletic suspension to any 2.0-liter turbo-4-powered Mav model. That, and an extra 50 horsepower (got a total of 300) courtesy of the Mustang Ecoboost's turbocharger strapped to the engine."The SV300T was based on ... programs like the Fiesta ST and the Focus ST and RS (that) added personality, character and performance for affordable, entry-level vehicles," said Long. "We wanted to recreate that character on a modern vehicle. So, in the world of a Maverick, (we created) that performance characteristic that people really liked in the Focus ST."I had a blast hustling the SV300T-equipped Maverick Lobo and XLT models around an MIS parking lot autocross track. The $5,000 SV300T package also looks good standing still thanks to a bespoke front splitter, wheels, and graphic to compliment intercooler, exhaust, and suspension upgrades under the sheet metal.Bronco. The off-road dirt kicker already is a customizer's favorite with add-ons like the Sasquatch tire package and more models ― Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, Heritage Edition, 60th Anniversary Edition, Stroppe Edition, Raptor ― than I have socks. The Custom Garage adds to that choice with a cornucopia of custom packages: Sinister Bronze, Matte Black, Dark Trail Series Titanium Gray, Coastal, and my favorite ORV (short for Off-Road Vehicle).AdvertisementAdvertisementThe latter echoes the capabilities of aftermarket shops like Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR (Ready to Rock) outfit that already provides dealer-delivered, warranty-covered, hot rod packages like the $26,595 Bronco RTR ROVR upgrade.For less cost, the OVR package brings similar capability with 35-inch tires, 2-inch suspension lift, upgraded Fox shocks, skid plates, and steel bumper.And for those seeking more giddyup, a Custom Garage upgrade will juice Bronco with 38 more horsepower.Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayneThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: WAUURGGH! Ford's Custom Garage toy store delivers the metal goods
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