New Ford Mustang Mach 1 2021 confirmed! V8 muscle car back to again headline non-Shelby range

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The Mustang Mach 1 is back and better than ever for MY21.
Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
1 Jun 2020
3 min read

Ford has confirmed the Mustang range will receive a new halo model for MY21, the returning Mach 1, which will slot in below the Shelby GT350 and GT500, albeit as a special edition.

Set to be revealed sometime in the next three weeks, the new Mach 1 will be powered by a pumped-up version of the GT’s 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine and will be available in the Fastback coupe body-style.

“Mach 1 has a special place in Mustang history, and it’s time for this special edition to claim the top spot in our 5.0-litre V8 performance line-up and reward our most hardcore Mustang enthusiasts who demand that next level of power, precision and collectability,” said Ford Icons director Dave Pericak.

Read More: Could the Mustang Mach 1 come to Australia? Ford wants to send the V8-powered muscle monster "global"

“Like the original, the all-new Mustang Mach 1 will be true to its heritage, delivering great looks and as the most track-capable 5.0-litre Mustang ever.”

While no other details have been confirmed yet, Ford has released three teaser images of a camouflaged Mach 1 prototype, which features two circular grille inserts that pay homage to the MY69 original’s foglights.

Also visible are an aggressive front bumper and splitter as well as matte-black 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 305/30 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres up front, with red Brembo brake callipers tucked behind.

At the rear, the Mach 1 has a slightly more aggressive bootlid spoiler and diffuser insert, which houses what appear to be larger quad exhaust tailpipes.

While Sparco racing seats and a roll cage can be glimpsed inside, they’re likely just fitted to the prototype for improved safety during track testing. That said, Ford might offer them as extra-cost options.

So, will the Mach 1 be sold in Australia? A local Ford spokesperson told CarsGuide “the Mach 1 news is specific to the US”, which suggests it might not head Down Under.

“Here in Australia, we’re proud of Mustang R-Spec as our halo model, with the 2020 GT and 2.3L High Performance models offering greater value and choice for this iconic nameplate,” they added.

However, given the sell-out success of the Bullitt special edition, local buyers undoubtedly have an appetite for a Mustang Fastback with a more potent 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, so time will tell if the Mach 1 ventures outside of the US.

Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum. That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time. And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all. In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.
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