Ford debuts Mustang Mach 1
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Ford has gone old school (again) for its latest Mustang variant, dusting off the Mach 1 nameplate. And there's not a hint of electrification in sight.
The 2021 Mach 1 is based around the Mustang GT, with the 5.0-litre V8 fettled to produce as much as 358kW and 569Nm of torque. Directing that extra power rearward is a new rev-matching Tremec six-speed manual with the same gearing as the Shelby GT350, with Ford's ten-speed automatic an option as well.
Shelby's Mustang also donates its heat exhangers, intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine/manual transmission oil cooler while the rear-axle coolers come from the flagship GT500.
Visually, the Mach 1 leans on its heritage. There are throwback graphics and stripes to the original 1969 model while round inlets in the grille feed more air into the engine instead of providing extra light like the original. Unfortunately for fans of RTR-style DRLs, it doesn't look like the inlets have any light functionality at all.
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Thanks to better aerodynamics and an optional 'Handling Package', the Mach 1 is positioning itself as the best 5.0-powered Mustang on-track ever, between the standard car and the 5.2-litre flat-plane GT350. The package adds tuned shock absorbers, upgraded steering, stiffer sway bars and suspension components and a rear subframe form the GT500.
“Mach 1 has always been that bridge between base Mustangs and the Shelby models,” said Ted Ryan, heritage brand manager for Ford Archives in a statement. “From a style and handling perspective, the original Mach 1 managed to stand out as unique, even in the Mustang lineup –and as the name implies, it could really move.”
Stuff spoke to Ford New Zealand to see if there is any possibility of the Mach 1 dotting down here. While the local arm had no news, we reckon there's a decent chance as Motor1 quoted Mustang Chief Engineer, Carl Widmann, in saying: “… This is a global product, so we’ll hit almost 50 countries with this car.'
In the meantime, Ford NZ has announced the limited-edition Black Shadow Mustang GT, set to arrive in October.
The Black Shadow pack adds a black painted roof, black bonnet stripes, black side stripes, unique ten-spoke dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels, black grille pony badging, black 5.0L guard badging, Recaro seats and a black performance spoiler. There's no more power though, the V8 still making 339kW/556Nm.
Four colours will be available but, weirdly, none are any form of black. They are: Velocity Blue, Magnetic, Race Red and a heritage colour, Grabber Lime.
The Black Shadow GT is available to order now for $87,990 plus ORCs.