2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 makes its debut
In 1969 the first Mustang Mach 1 appeared, the all-American muscle car that most teenagers in the ’70s wished they had owned. It broke over 295 speed records and has even starred alongside action heroes such as John Wick (2014). In 2003, the Mach 1 did make a brief comeback before completely disappearing for over 17 years. Now in 2020, Ford has finally announced that the Mustang Mach 1 will be back in 2021. Ford has said that the new Mach 1 will bridge the Shelby models and Mustang GT, which means that the performance will be outrageous.
Before we get to the exterior and interior, let's get to the good stuff first. Under the hood of the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 is a 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces 360kW of power and 570Nm of torque. The engine may look familiar to some and that’s because it was the same engine that was used to power the Mustang Bullitt. This new engine output is also a significant upgrade from the 2003 Mustang 1. To manage this much power, the new Mach 1 will be available in two gearbox choices: the standard six-speed manual transmission or the 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission gets an added rev-matching, while the optional 10-speed automatic will come with an air-to-oil cooler.
The exterior of the new Mach 1 is certainly turning out to look a lot meaner than its predecessor. The new Mach 1 is easy on the eyes, it comes with a unique twin-nostril honeycomb designed front grille with faux fog lamps and a revised front bumper. At the centre of the grille is a low-gloss Magnetic pony badge, while the same low-gloss Magnetic and black accents can be seen throughout the vehicle, including the mirror caps and rear spoiler. This really gives the Mach 1 the same bold and muscular heritage look we are all so familiar with. The Mach 1 fender and rear does come with decklid badging as well as a lower diffuser that has been taken straight from the Shelby GT500.
Ford will also be offering its additional Handling Pack, which comes with new front wheel lip mouldings, a low-gloss swing spoiler with a Gurney flap, a higher-downforce front splitter, and rear tire spats from the GT500. The Handling Pack will only be available on manual models.
The Mach 1 will be available in 8 exterior colour options as stated in the press release. Ranging from - Grabber Yellow, Iconic Silver, Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Twister Orange, Velocity Blue as well the exclusive Fighter Jet Gray. Ford has offered an additional option called the Appearance Package which will 3 accent colour options - Red, White, and Orange.
The inside of the new Mach 1 comes with a Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents. It has ebony seats that have an accent stripe that hints at the Mach 1 heritage, the interior is all leather. Like many upgraded muscle cars, it will feature several upgrades too such as an updated 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, new door sill plates, an awesome-looking white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the vehicles unique chassis number.
The new Ford Mustang Mach 1 is expected to go on sale in the spring of 2021, with pricing still to be announced closer to the time. Whether it will brace the shores of SA is still unknown.
Also worth a look: the Ford Transit Custom and the Ford Escort Mk1 RS Returns as 800kg Track Weapon.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 cost in South Africa?
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 starts from around R1,200,000 in South Africa, making it a serious investment for muscle car enthusiasts who want that bridge between the GT and Shelby models.
Q: How much power does the Ford Mustang Mach 1 produce?
The Mach 1 pumps out 360kW of power and 570Nm of torque from its 5.0-litre V8 engine, the same unit that powered the brilliant Mustang Bullitt.
Q: Is the Ford Mustang Mach 1 worth buying over a regular Mustang GT?
If you've got the extra cash and want something more exclusive than the GT but not as hardcore as a Shelby, the Mach 1 hits that sweet spot perfectly with its unique styling and enhanced performance.
Q: What transmission options are available on the Mustang Mach 1?
You can choose between a six-speed manual with rev-matching or a 10-speed automatic with an air-to-oil cooler, both designed to handle that massive 570Nm of torque.
Q: How does the 2021 Mach 1 compare to the original 1969 model?
While the original broke 295 speed records back in the day, the 2021 version brings modern performance and technology whilst keeping that classic aggressive Mach 1 attitude and heritage styling cues.
Should You Buy It?
The best modern American muscle car under R1,500,000 in South Africa is definitely the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1. At around R1,200,000, it's not cheap, but you're getting 360kW of proper V8 thunder, limited production numbers, and that iconic Mach 1 heritage that'll make you the hero at every Cars and Coffee gathering. If you've already got a Mustang GT and want something more special, or you're looking for a Shelby alternative that won't completely empty your bank account, this is your machine. Just remember, with 570Nm on tap and those rear wheels, you'll need to respect the throttle, especially on our sometimes questionable road surfaces. Buy it if you want exclusivity, performance, and the soundtrack of a proper American V8 that'll wake the entire neighbourhood.
