The Ford Mustang Mach 1 has made its return for 2021 as a special edition model that sits at the top of the 5.0L V8 lineup.
The 480-horsepower muscle car, which slots in between the GT and Shelby models, boasts performance upgrades, many taken from the Shelby models, that make it more track-ready like improved aerodynamics, better engine and transmission cooling, better brakes, and a more capable suspension. Visually, the Mach 1 gets retro cues like faux lamp elements in the grille, low-gloss black accents, and dark 19-inch wheels.
The 5.0L V8 has been tuned to output 480 hp at 7,000 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm, an improvement over the GT’s 460 hp. Either a Tremec six-speed manual with a white cue ball shift knob, rev matching, and a short-throw shifter or 10-speed automatic are available. The manual is the same one in the GT350, and the Mach 1 also gets the same rear differential cooler as the Shelby models. A Handling Package that is exclusively offered on the manual model will sharpen up performance even further and includes wider wheels, a larger front splitter, new front wheel lip moldings, and a unique spoiler. Ford says the Mach 1 has 22 per cent more downforce than a GT with Performance Pack Level 1, and with the Handling Package, the improvement to downforce is 150 per cent.
The Mach 1 name is more than 50 years old and the last time a Mach 1 was produced was 17 years ago. The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will arrive at Canadian dealerships in spring of 2021.