The iconic Mach 1 will join the Ford Mustang line-up in Australia for the first time in 2021. The Limited Edition Mustang Mach 1 will join the Aussie Ford Mustang family thanks to the first ever factory-built right-hand drive program from North America.

Ford says the Mustang Mach 1 will bring a ‘new pinnacle of naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 pony car performance’ and will have additional power, a driver-focused cockpit and track-focused upgrades above the current big-selling Mustang GT.

Since its arrival in Australia in 2015, the Mustang has become the best-selling sports car in Australia, and has seen a handful of special edition models make their debut, including the Mustang BULLITT and the supercharged Mustang R-SPEC.

The Mach 1 will be offered alongside the Mustang 2.3L High Performance model with its 2.3-litre inline 4 turbocharged engine, and the 5-litre V8-powered Mustang GT.

While the Australian specification and pricing is to be announced closer to launch, the Mach 1 has been revealed in the US and sports some tasty updates. There’s a new look to the front end and tweaks to the engine mean that integrated into the Mach 1 engine are revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oil cooler. The specially calibrated 5.0-liter V8 engine has a projected 358kW and 570Nm on tap.

The Mach 1 comes standard with a Tremec 3160 6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. Ford has outfitted the system with rev-matching and the transmission is paired with the GT350 oil cooler system and Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter.

Drivers can also opt for an available 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and calibration that enables optimising torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance.

To improve ride and handling, the US Mach 1 features the latest MagneRide calibration, a stiffer steering I-shaft, new EPAS calibration, stiffer sway bars and front springs, a brake booster from the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, 9.5-inch/10-inch split fitment wheels with Michelin PS4 tyres, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe-link from the Shelby GT500.

The Limited Edition 2021 Mustang Mach 1 will be available in the U.S. in the spring of 2021.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (November 2020)

27 November 2020