The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is coming back this spring to fill enthusiasts with joy – and a hole in the modern pony car’s lineup.
The iconic name returns on the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 which Ford teases as “the epitome of naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 performance in a new golden age of power.” The new Mustang Mach 1 will fill an interesting gap in the lineup, slotting between the Mustang GT Performance Pack 2 and the high-performance Shelby GT350 model.
“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-liter V8 performance lineup and reward our most hardcore Mustang enthusiasts who demand that next level of power, precision and collectability,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Icons.
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“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-liter Mustang ever,” the executive added.
For the moment, Ford is coy on specifics but says the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 will be “most track-ready 5.0-liter Mustang ever.” The teaser photos showing a half-camouflaged prototype do offer some clues on what to expect from the new Mach 1. At the front, we can see a more aggressive bumper and two circular air intakes (or fog light holes) in the grille.
These elements are clearly a tribute to the original 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Both the upper and lower grilles feature a honeycomb pattern which we all know is automakers’ way of signaling the existence of more power.
The rear view is arguably even more exciting as it’s dominated by a generous spoiler and massive quad round exhausts flanking a diffuser carved in the sharp-looking rear bumper. The close-up photo reveals a big red Brembo caliper behind the black 19-inch wheel shod with 305/30 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tires.
While the packaging looks promising, what should we expect in the power department? Well, the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 could deliver around 500 horsepower, which would make sense as some sources claim the Mach 1 will effectively replace the 480 HP Mustang Bullitt. Whether that’s the case or not, we can’t wait to hear more from Ford.