Mustang Mach 1 coming to Australia

Following its announcement for the North American market back in June, the Mustang Mach 1 has now been confirmed for Australia.

Defined by upgrades to the running gear, suspension, aerodynamics and styling, the new Mach 1 will arrive in Australia in early 2021 and take over the R-Spec’s role as the hero model Mustang locally.

Tuned and spec’d for track days, the Mach 1 will be a limited-edition for the Australian market, but Ford are yet to reveal how limited. However, using the Bullitt and R-Spec as a guide, locally-available numbers are expected to be around 500.

“We are very excited to introduce this highly capable, track ready Mustang to Mustang fans. The unique styling, which pays homage to the original model, is more than worthy of its legendary badge,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.

Power Upgrades

Available exclusively as a V8 fastback, the Mach 1 takes the GT’s 5.0-litre V8 and adds the intake manifold, open-air induction system and 87mm throttle bodies from the Shelby GT350. With ECU recalibration to suit (including low-pressure port fuel injection and high-pressure direct fuel injection), maximum power is increased from the standard 339kW at 7000rpm to 345kW at 7500rpm. Maximum torque of 556Nm at 4600rpm is unchanged.

The Active Valve Performance Exhaust is retuned to suit, while an auxiliary engine oil cooler, taken from the Shelby GT530, and a new oil filter adaptor have been added to ensure optimum performance under high engine loads.

Transmission Upgrades

While the Mach 1 will be available with a choice of manual or auto, both will be upgrades on the standard GT transmissions.

The Tremec 3160 six-speed manual transmission will be an exclusive on an Australian-market Mustang, using a twin-disc clutch to manage high-rpm gear-changes, with a short-throw shifter and rev-matching function added, as well as a ‘flat shift’ capability that allows shifting without lifting the throttle. A dedicated transmission oil cooling system is also added.

The 10-speed auto is broadly the same unit as in the GT, but features new calibration, an upgraded torque converter and a secondary air-to-oil cooler that increases cooling capacity to manage high-load driving situations.

Both transmission options come with a limited-slip diff as standard and a rear axle cooling system.

Aero and Underbody Upgrades

To the standard GT body, the Mach 1 adds a number of aero and suspension upgrades; some taken from the Shelby GT350 and GT500, with others unique to the new model.

The main grille is a new two-piece unit, with mock foglamp cutouts, while the lower grille, side grille openings and front splitter are also new.

At the rear, a Shelby GT500 rear diffuser directs air to the rear brakes and works with a bespoke rear spoiler and the front-end aero changes to improve downforce by a claimed 22 per cent over the Mustang GT. 

MagneRide adjustable suspension is standard and has been retuned, while stiffer front springs, thicker anti-roll bars and revised suspension bushes are all unique to the Mach 1.

To further sharpen the handling, the Mustang’s electrical power-assisted steering has been recalibrated, while bespoke 19-inch 5-spoke alloys, that are half an inch (13mm) wider, are added, fitted with high-performance tyres.

Mach 1 Style

Paying homage to the styling of the original Mach 1, the 2021 version adds a broad central bonnet stripe and lower sill stripes, the colours of which are determined by which of the five different paint options are selected.

Aero elements are finished in a satin grey, while Mach 1 badging appears on the front guards and tail light panel.

Inside, black leather heated/cooled sports seats and Dark Engine aluminium detailing are standard, with Recaro leather seats optional. Branded sill plates, a bespoke start-up animation on the 12-inch digital instrument display and a numbered dash plaque are other bespoke features.

Standard tech include a 12-speaker B&O sound system, Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity system and the FordPass Connect embedded modem

Australian Premium

While neither an Australian release date nor local allocation numbers for the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 have been released, pricing has - $83,365 - with no premium for the 10-speed auto.

This pricing is dearer than the $73,688 Bullitt, but substantially cheaper than the locally-developed R-Spec, which listed for $99,980 when it was released earlier this year.