Just when you thought that the Ford Mustang line-up was maybe becoming a little too crowded, along comes another hi-po variant set to tear up drag strips and cars & coffee meets all over the world.
Overnight Ford unveiled its new Mustang Mach 1 — a variant designed to sit in the (shrinking by the second) space between Ford's quickest self-made Mustangs and the wild creations of sister brand Shelby.
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Let's talk power. The Mach 1's 5.0-litre Coyote V8 makes 357kW of power and 569Nm of torque, meaning its output is equal to the Mustang Bullitt and therefore ensuring that it's the equal most powerful 5.0-litre Ford produces.
It isn't just a Bullitt Mustang with a different skin, though. The Mach 1 sports the Tremec 6-speed and the air intake from the Shelby GT350. In fact, it's pumped with all sorts of Shelby hand-me-down bits like the engine oil cooler, oil filter adapter, and rear toe-link.
That gearbox has been updated for the Mach 1 to include rev-matching on downshifts, and it's been refined in being paired with the twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter from the latest Mustang GT. This should make the Mustang Mach 1 the best stick in the pony-car line-up.
Talking about things like engine oil coolers, oil filter adapters, and transmission revisions might sound a little nerdy, but it points to what Ford's really targeting with the Mach 1. While it'll undoubtedly tick many boxes as a daily driver, this Mustang is clearly aimed at being an admirable track-day car.
Those who opt for the Handling Pack on their Mach 1 will receive a hungrier front splitter, new front wheel mouldings, a new rear spoiler with Gurney flap, the rear tyre spats from the GT500, and an underbelly pan. All of these things improve the aero of the Mustang by a claimed 150 per cent.
On top of these additional elements, the Mach 1 will come with Ford's MagneRide suspension system, stiffer sway bars all round, stiffer bushings, and super sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
All of this is gift-wrapped in a more muscular exterior shell — finished with that traditional Mach 1 bonnet stripe. It's unknown whether the Mach 1 will be hitting New Zealand shores, with the United States and Canada the first confirmed markets. But, fingers crossed.
