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Ford confirms Mustang Mach 1 for SA
Ford confirms Mustang Mach 1 for SA-April 2024
2023-12-14 EST 02:30:29

A new reportconfirms thatFord willproduce its resurrected Mustang Mach 1as a global model, with some built forright-hand-drive (RHD) markets – includingSouth Africa. This news follows after a photo of what looked like a legitimate RHD Mach 1 popped upon Instagram…

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was unveiled in June 2020 to markthe return of the historic nameplate, which was first launched in 1969 (and briefly brought back in 2003) after a 17-year hiatus. It offers fans of Ford’s iconic muscle car a chance to access more muscular performance than with the standard 5.0 GT fastback,butwithout the need to splurge on a Roushor RTR version.

At the time, the Blue Oval did not indicatehow many units of the Mustang Mach 1it wouldproduce (apart from saying that it is a limited-edition derivative) or whether there would be right-hand-drive versions. However, at the vehicle's presentation, Jim Farley, Ford’s (then) chief operating officerdid say:“There’s never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too.”

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That was where the story ended, or at least so we thought… After all, most observers would assume Farley inferredthe Mach 1 would be distributed to other left-hand-drive markets outside of North America. However, this Instagram post by user @themikedean inAugust,showedwhat appears to be a Mach 1 in right-hand-drive guise (note the circular grille cutouts), and piqued our interest.

What's more,fordauthority.comlast week "confirmedwith the Mustang team that the Mustang Mach 1 (would) be available globally" and Australian motoring site motoring.com.au understands that the introduction of the limited-edition muscle car will be announced by Ford Australia in the lead-up to the upcomingBathurst 1000 endurance race.

Ford raided its Shelby parts bin to give the Mach 1 the level of performance it needs to match its head-turning appearance.

Ford offeredlimited numbers of the Bullitt in South Africa when it launchedthe facelifted Mustangin 2019and Mach 1 is set to be the follow-up act. Mustang lovers are bound to lap up the new Mach 1, which, like the celebrated original Mach 1, comes equipped with a host of upgrades over its 5.0 GT fastback sibling, including mechanical-, cooling-, aerodynamic- and suspension improvements. Besides, just look at it!

The newcomer's top grille (with its deep 3D mesh, low-gloss Magnetic pony badge and faux lamp elements) pays homage to the original model, while the lower-grille section is flanked by side-inlets below each indicator lamp. Not only do they help Ford’s newest muscle car derivative look the part, they aid the Mach 1's aerodynamicsand cooling.

There's no shortage of detailing whatsoever… low-gloss magnetic and black accents feature throughout the vehicle, including the Mach 1’s mirror caps and rear spoiler. Plus, if you spec the Appearance Package, satin black side and bonnet stripes are included with a choice of red, white and orange reflective accent stripes.

The standard Mach 1 does not have the Handling Package's 2-tiered front splitter. The Appearance Package is a must-have!

The elaborate two-tiered front splitter and rear spoiler "combine to create ideal lift balance", Ford says. The Mach 1 is said to produce22% more downforce than a 5.0 GT (with Performance Pack Level 1) and the improvement jumps to approximately 150% if the optional Handling Package is specified.

The latter – exclusively available in combination with the Tremec3160 6-speed manual gearbox – further includes a larger unique higher-downforce front splitter, new front-wheel lip mouldings, and a low-gloss Magnetic swing spoiler with a Gurney flap and the rear tyre spats from Shelby GT500.

A quartet of stainless steel exhaust ends ensure that the Mach 1 makes the most of its 5.0-litre V8's sonorous soundtrack.

The most important aerodynamic upgrade is a new underfloorpan that extends a full 508 mm further rearward than on a 5.0GT with Performance Pack to optimise the airflow under the front of the car. Large underwing features in the pan and special winglets in the brake cooling ramps also serve to improve downforce and the latter additionally assist brake-cooling flow.

The newcomer’s 19-inch 5-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted alloys are modern interpretations of the classic Magnum 500 style wheels, while the Mustang’s interior features a unique Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminium accents, as well as ebony seats that feature accent stripes.

The Handling Package enables the Mach 1 to generate150% more downforce than a Mustang GT (with Performance Pack Level 1).

Other interior upgrades include new door sill plates, a white cue ball shift knob (as featured on the Bullitt), as well as an engraved plaque that displays the vehicle’s unique chassis number.

Meanwhile, the Mach 1’s 5.0-litre V8 motor has been beefed up to produce peak outputs of 358 kW at 7000 rpm and 569 Nm at 4600 rpm. The powerplant incorporates revised Shelby GT350 components such as the intake manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oil cooler, the latter of which ups the engine oil cooling capability by 50%.

To enhance track endurance, Ford added 2 side heat exchangers – 1 to cool engine- and the other transmission oil – as well as a rear-axle cooling system.

Ford anticipates buyers of the Mach 1 are likely to want to indulge in on-track antics and has beef-ed up the Mustang to suit.

The Mach 1 comes standard with the Tremec6-speed manual ‘box and oil cooler from the Shelby GT350, replete with a twin-disc clutch,short-throw shifter and rev-matching.

Drivers can also opt for the familiar 10-speed automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimising torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance, Ford says.A second air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75%.

The Mach 1's dashboard features a special plaque that denotes the car's unique chassis number.

And lastly, to improve ride and handling, the Mach 1 features the latest MagneRide calibration, a stiffer steering I-shaft, a tweaked steering calibration, stiffer sway bars and front springs, a brake booster from the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, Michelin PS4 tyres, stiffer rear-subframe bushings, plusthe rear toe-link from the Shelby GT500.

How many Mach 1 Mustangs have been allocated to the South African market? That would be 90, which means that ownership exclusivity is secured.

Further reading:

Ford Mustang RTR (2020) Specs & Price

Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback (2019) Review

Roush's 600 kW Mustang now in SA

Ford Mustang Bullitt (2018) Launch Review [w/Video]

Ford Mustang (2019) Launch Review

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