Speed of sound: The return of the Ford Mustang Mach 1

MANILA: Ford brings back the Mustang Mach 1 after an almost two-decade hiatus and aims to set a new standard for 5.0-liter V8 pony fastbacks.

Discontinued after 2004, the fifth-generation model comes with a redesigned front end highlighted by a 3D mesh, shark-nosed section, and faux lamp elements. There are new side grilles now below each turn lamp, low-gloss magnetic black accents throughout the vehicle, and low-gloss magnetic mirror caps and rear spoiler.

It rides on 19 x 9.5-inch, and 19 x 10-inch five-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels but units with the Handling Package come standard with wider 19 x 10.5-inch front, and 19-inch x 11-inch rear Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels.

The Handling package comes with a larger unique higher downforce front splitter, new front-wheel lip moldings, and a low-gloss Magnetic swing spoiler with a Gurney flap and rear tire spats from Shelby GT500.

Satin black hood stripes define the Mach 1 and it comes with three different accents — red, white, and orange.

Body color options include Fighter Jet Gray (Appearance Package only), as well as Iconic Silver, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Twister Orange, Race Red, and Grabber Yellow.

Under the hood is a calibrated 5.0-liter V8 engine with 480hp and 569Nm of torque. The intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine cooler were taken from the Shelby GT350 and revised for the Mustang Mach 1 to deliver 50% better engine oil cooling capability.

The Mach 1 comes standard with a Tremec 3160 six-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. For the first time, 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.

Available as an option is a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission using an upgraded torque converter and with a unique calibration to optimize torque capability and shift character.

Inside is a dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents and a 12.3-inch all-LCD cluster. Seats are of ebony hue with accent strips. It also has a white cue ball shift knob and a badge that displays the vehicle’s unique chassis number.

To enhance performance, it get a two-piece upper grille, lower grille and valance, and new side grilles to meet more demanding aero and cooling performance requirements.

A front splitter improves track performance and provides a more aggressive appearance, while a matched rear spoiler works in concert to create ideal lift balance. The result is 22% more downforce than a Mustang GT with Performance Pack Level 1 and the downforce improvement jumps to approximately 150% with the Handling Package.

Giving it endurance on the track are two side heat exchangers – one to cool engine oil, the other transmission oil – as well as a rear axle cooling system and lower diffuser from Shelby GT500.

The biggest aerodynamic update though is the underbelly pan that extends 20 inches further rearward than on a Mustang GT Performance Pack to smooth and increase the airflow under the front of the car. Large underwing features in the belly pan increase downforce, while special belly pan airfoils in the brake cooling ramps improve downforce and assist the brake cooling flow – a first for Mustang. 

It also gets 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 tires, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe-link from Shelby GT500.

The all-new Mustang Mach 1 will be available in the US and Canada by 2021.

Photos from Ford

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