Ford announces Mustang ‘R-SPEC’
Ford Australia are upping the ante on local Mustang offerings, with a factory supercharged ‘R-SPEC’ version of the GT to be released next year.
The first Mustang with a supercharger to be sold through Ford dealerships, the R-SPEC is the result of a collaboration between Ford and Herrod Performance, who already offer superchargers, turbochargers and chip tunes as aftermarket upgrades for the Australian-delivered Mustang.
Herrod will serve as a second-stage manufacturer for the R-SPEC, with the vehicles produced under this arrangement backed by a 5-year/unlimited km warranty.
For Ford, the new performance Mustang is a revival – of sorts - of the RSPEC Falcons that were offered from 2007, first in turbocharged six-cylinder form on a limited-edition version of the F6 Typhoon, and then on an FPV GT with a supercharged 5.0 V8 in 2012.
The Mustang R-SPEC will only be available as a fastback GT manual (no convertibles, no autos) and production will be limited to 500 individually-numbered units
Collaborative Effort
“We’ve worked together to ensure that we have a consistent product that delivers a driving experience that meets the expectations of a factory-delivered product,” said Rob Herrod of the requirements of the R-SPEC programme.
“The R-SPEC has to be great to drive, as well as delivering the added power and creaminess of the supercharger – it’s what customers expect, and what we have worked on as a team to deliver.”
While Ford have stated the Mustang R-SPEC will be the most powerful Mustang to be offered through local Ford dealerships, they haven’t said what that power will actually be.
However, Herrod Performance says that a Roush 2650 supercharger is used. If this is the same unit Herrod offers as an aftermarket upgrade, power from the R-SPEC should be 500kW - well up on the standard Mustang GT’s 339kW and the 345kW on the Mustang Bullitt Edition.
Ford says the Mustang R-SPEC’s roots-type positive displacement supercharger, with a 2.65-litre capacity and 12PSI of boost, delivers more power throughout the rev range, with reduced noise and vibration, smoother throttle response and increased drivability and engagement, even as a daily driver.
To suit the supercharger, a high-efficiency intercooler and full-face radiator is also fitted, with air delivered to the system via a larger front air intake that’s specific to R-SPEC.
Herrod Performance also worked on the exhaust, tuning the Active Exhaust settings to suit the R-SPEC, with Quiet, Normal, Sport and Race Track modes selectable via the steering wheel-mounted buttons. As on the standard Mustang GT with an Active Exhaust, Quiet mode can also be set for specific times of day via the digital instrument display.
Other changes include firmer Ford Performance springs that lower ride height by 20mm compared to the Mustang GT. MagneRide suspension is standard, too, and features a unique software calibration for the Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM), which is intelligent enough to know that the R-SPEC sits lower to the road.
Ford Performance adjustable stabilizer bars - 37mm (+5mm) front and 25.2mm (+3mm) rear – are also fitted for greater control and agility. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are standard, as are Ford Performance alloy wheels in 19x9.5-inch at the front and 19x10-inch at the rear, an increase of 0.5mm for both compared to the Mustang GT.
Style Points
While Herrod Performance worked on the engineering of the R-SPEC, Ford themselves took care of the design, conducted at their Broadmeadows design studio.
Ford designer Dave Dewitt led the exterior enhancement package team, with the brief of making the car stand out, even when standing still.
“That starts with the stance, and the unique 19-inch Ford Performance alloy wheels combined with the Ford Performance suspension package,” Dewitt explained.
“When we combine these functional upgrades with the unique design cues, the result is a meaner, more aggressive attitude and more flattering silhouette.”
Available colours for the R-SPEC are limited to Twister Orange, Oxford White, Velocity Blue and Grabber Lime, with black ‘hockey stick’ side stripes and black over-the-top stripes standard, regardless of colour choice. A black rear spoiler, black ‘Galloping Pony’ grille badge and black mirror caps are also standard.
“The MY2020 colour palette lends itself superbly to the black treatment, but the details go beyond this,” Dewitt says. “While the alloys and side-stripes are matte finished, the off-set striping, mirror caps and the rear spoiler have been given a gloss treatment to add more visual impact to the changes.”
Unique to the R-SPEC, the lower front valance features larger air intakes, with other changes including black surrounds for the LED DRLs, R-SPEC puddle lamps and a numbered R-SPEC badge.
Dealer Benefits
“The Mustang R-SPEC is a vehicle that we’re immensely proud to deliver to enthusiasts,” said Ford’s R-SPEC program lead, Anna Hercan. “We’re even happier to deliver an ownership experience that brings the peace-of-mind and assurance of our dealer network, so that they can customise, own and enjoy this special edition Mustang with confidence.”
The R-SPEC is eligible for existing Ford Service Benefits programs that include the Service Loan Car Program, Auto Club Membership (including Roadside Assistance) and SYNC 3 infotainment system (including sat-nav map updates). A $299 maximum service price program is also available.
Now available to pre-order from your Ford dealer ahead of an early-2020 delivery, the Mustang R-SPEC lists for $99,980 (including LCT and GST, excluding on-road costs).
