The all-new Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback coupe has made its pony-car world premiere after a 17-year hiatus.
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is testimony to Ford’s quest for speed that began with Henry Ford more than a century ago, in 1901, and the company always desired to deliver quicker, faster and more powerful vehicles. Honouring Chuck Yeager’s feat of becoming the first to break the sound barrier – Mach 1 – Ford delivered their original Mach 1 in 1969. It went on to set 295 speed and endurance records in its first model year at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats.
Now, like the original, the all-new Ford Mustang Mach 1 bridges the gap between the Mustang GT and the high-performance Shelby models, delivering big V8 power, functional aero enhancements, competition-level suspension upgrades and, of course, a driver-focused cockpit. The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a celebration of a nameplate born more than 50 years ago. The Mustang Mach 1’s grille harks back to the original with a deep 3D mesh, shark-nosed section and faux lamp elements. A low-gloss Magnetic pony badge is centred on the grille, with low-gloss magnetic and black accents adding to the effect while staying true to Mach 1’s bold, muscular heritage. New 19-inch “Tarnished Dark” aluminium wheels are a modern spin on the classic Magnum 500 style wheels.
The interior of the Mustang Mach 1 features a unique “Dark Spindrift” instrument panel with aluminium accents. Ebony seats with an accent stripe hint at Mach 1 heritage in cars equipped with a leather interior. Other upgrades include new door sills, an updated splash screen on the 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, a white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the each vehicle’s unique chassis number.
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 gets the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine, a new front end, as well as Ford Performance parts from the Mustang Shelby GT350 and more mental Shelby GT500 models, with an optional Handling Package for greater at-the-limit handling. The crown jewel, though, is the specially-calibrated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that is set to deliver 480 hp at 7,000 rpm and a hefty 570 Nm of peak torque at 4,600 rpm. Integrated into the Mustang Mach 1 engine are revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter, and engine oil cooler, the last with a 50-per-cent higher cooling capability.
The Mustang Mach 1 is the fruit of decades of Ford Performance learnings. It has uniquely crafted front end for better aerodynamic efficiency and a host of Ford Performance parts that help celebrate its iconic heritage. It comes as standard with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350, with rear-wheel drive. For the first time, Ford has equipped the system with rev-matching and the transmission is paired with the GT350’s oil-cooler system and Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw shift lever. There is also an optional 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration for optimized torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance.
Jim Farley, Ford’s chief operating officer, said, “Bold styling, great acceleration and speed – Mach 1 says it all. This is one of those special Mustangs that truly brings a smile to the faces of our owners, enthusiasts and fans – including me – so there’s never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too.”
The all-new and limited-edition 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will arrive in dealerships in the USA and Canada next year.
Also read: New Mustang Shelby GT500
