Revived Mustang Mach 1 pays homage to heritage
Ford is bringing back the Mach 1 model designation on a Mustang after a 17-year hiatus.
First, this is a genuine “Mach” version of a genuine Mustang.
I still can’t believe Ford is using both of those fabled nameplates on a four-door electric truck. Shame, shame, shame. Don Frey, chief engineer on the original Mustang, would turn in his grave if he knew what to turn in it for.
The newest Mustang will be a real Mustang. It will be a 2021 model year car and goes on sale that spring.
Prices? Way too soon, but the car will be positioned between the Mustang GT (2020 price, $34,790) and the Shelby GT350 ($76,425). Obviously a huge gap. The Mustang Bullitt with which the Mach 1 shares some bits currently lists at $52,500, so my guess for the Mach 1 is somewhere north of that, probably high-50s.
By the way, no confirmation that the Bullitt edition will survive into 2021.
If you want one, it may already be too late.
During an online press conference, Tom Barnes, vehicle engineering manager for Mustang, and Jim Owens, Mustang and Shelby marketing manager, gave a group of Canadian journos some technical details of the new Mach 1.
A revised front end provides extra cooling for both engine and transmission. Some styling tricks like “go-faster” stripes bridge the gap to earlier generations.
As Owens noted, “Anything that bears this badge has to look right, it has to look to its heritage.”
Barnes added, “People who know Mach 1 will say, ‘That’s a Mach 1.’
“People who don’t know Mach 1 will say, ‘That’s a really cool car.’”
Revised trim inside includes a numbered serial plate.
Ford won’t say how many Mach 1s it’ll build, only that it is a “limited edition.”
I couldn’t even get them to say how many digits that serial number would contain...
Those planning to track the car will probably want to opt for the Recaro seats.
Barnes and Owens suggested “balance” is the key to the new Mach 1.
Their mantra is that Mach 1 will be “the pinnacle of Mustang 5.0-litre performance,” the “5.0-litre” caveat necessary because the 5.2-litre flat-planecrankshaft Shelby GT350 and the supercharged 5.2-litre GT500 will outrun it.
That’s because Mach 1 gets essentially the same 5.0-litre V-8 engine as the Bullitt, providing 480 horsepower at 7,000 r.p.m. and and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 r.p.m. Should be good for 0-100 km/h in the low- to mid-five-second range.
It will be mated to a six-speed Tremec manual gearbox, with rev-matching for smooth downshifting.
It also features the cool cueball shift knob.
Shiftless types can opt for a 10-speed automatic, which has been massaged for sportier on-road and on-track performance.
Suspension includes MagneRide dampers, still the best in the game in my view, and stiffer steering shaft, sway bars and front springs.
Bigger and better brakes are part of the deal.
19x9.5-inch front and 19x10inch rear wheels are shod with Michelin PS4 tires.
A Handling Package, available only with the stick shift, brings even fatter wheels and tires, and a host of aerodynamic features which generate 150 per cent more downforce than Mustang GT when equipped with its comparable performance pack.
A rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe link lifted from the Shelby GT350 will further improve grip.
Underneath, a longer belly pan again aids aerodynamics.
The objective was to make the car fast on the track, but still ultimately “street-able.”
I’d love to tell you if they succeeded, but obviously, a virtual car launch can only tell us so much.
The Ford folks think this car is amazing. But then, they would, wouldn’t they?
I really liked the Bullitt, the GT350 and the GT500, so I imagine the Mach 1 won’t disappoint.
Can hardly wait to confirm that for you.