2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 confirmed for Australia! Only 700 examples to arrive Down Under next year, but pricing for the potent V8-powered muscle car still unclear

Ford Australia has confirmed it will actually sell the Mach 1 as the flagship naturally-aspirated Mustang in 2021 after the model was revealed in the United States back in June.

However, stock will be limited to just 700 examples, much like the previous special-edition Mustang Bullitt from 2018.

Powered by the same 5.0-litre Coyote V8 found in the Mustang GT, the Mach 1 kicks things up a notch with 358kW of power and 569Nm of torque thanks to components borrowed from the Shelby GT350.

The intake manifold, engine oil cooler and more are lifted from the Shelby, liberating an additional 19kW/3Nm over the standard Mustang GT, while the Tremac six-speed manual gearbox and Magnaride adaptive dampers also carry over.

Of note, the Mustang Mach 1 is also available with a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

It’s not just higher engine outputs though, as the Mach 1 also nabs the Shelby GT500’s rear-axle cooling system and rear diffuser, as well as the front and rear subframes from the GT350.

Completing the look is a new front grille and bumper, striped decals and unique 19-inch wheels, as well as aero components designed to increase downforce and get the Mach 1 around corners faster.

In the US market, a Handling Package option is available exclusively to the manual-equipped Mach 1s, and adds a larger front splitter, subtle rear spoiler and wider wheels.

Designed as the “pinnacle of Mustang 5.0-litre V8 style and performance” according to Ford, the Mach 1 will sit upstream of the GT that is available for $64,190 before on-road costs for the manual and $67,190 for the automatic, however Australian pricing and specs are yet to be revealed.

With the bespoke R-Spec offering a sizeable boost of around 522kW/830Nm thanks to the fitment of a Herrod Performance supercharger, the Mach 1 is expected to come in around well under the former’s $99,980 pricetag though.

As previously stated, Ford Australia has not been shy with special-edition Mustangs in the past, with the Bullitt brought Down Under in 2018 wearing a $73,688 pricetag – nearly $11,000 more expensive than the GT at the time.

The factory-built Bullitt might be the best indication of where Ford Australia wants to position the Shelby GT350-succeeding Mach 1, which could mean a price around $80,000 for its latest special-edition Mustang.

The original Mach 1 went on sale in the US from 1969 to 1978, and was revived for the fourth-generation Mustang in 2004, but the 2021 version is the first to be made available in Australia.